Media, Data and Society (DIG501)
The digital transformation has revolutionised how citizens behave and interact which each other, their practice in the labour market, their participation in civic life and their relationship with the welfare state. This is an ongoing process that converts everyday life into data points, presenting new opportunities and challenges to living and working in modern societies.
To this end, this course tries to answer two guiding questions: 1) What are the potential benefits and challenges that the ongoing process of digitalisation present to contemporary societies? And 2) To what extent do media technologies support, strengthen and accelerate the digitalisation process? These questions will provide the conceptual and critical foundations for exploring one of the most pervasive social transformations. On the one hand, digitalisation is tied to many positive processes, including increased efficiency, innovation in business and public administration, increased connectivity and information access and abundance. On the other hand, being human in the digital world also raises new questions about the effects of technology on social relations and identities, political processes and democratic participation, mediated communication as well as the sustainability of digital media technologies.
Course description for study year 2023-2024. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
DIG501
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
Learning outcome
It is expected that the students after completing the course will have the following knowledge, skills, and general competencies.
Knowledge
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Critically assess digitalisation processes across various social realms.
- Employ social science theories to understand the transformations within the digital society.
- Discuss the effects of algorithms, datafication, and platforms on social and political relations.
- Thorough knowledge about the interconnection of media technologies and digital infrastructure in the increasing digitalisation of society.
Skills
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Formulate and critically analyse current and emerging challenges associated with the digitalisation of society.
- Apply and argue social science theory to technological developments and their societal impacts.
- Work independently under supervision to write a term paper on a relevant topic.
General competencies
On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
- Appraise the interconnectedness between communication technologies, digital infrastructures, and society.
- Relate the current digitalisation processes to social science theory and their relevance to the digital society.
- Evaluate the consequences of technology on human relations.
- Formulate insights into past, current, and emerging benefits and challenges involving digital technology.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Term Paper | 1/1 | 1 Semesters | Letter grades | All |
Presentation at literature seminar. The exam requirements must be approved to qualify for the final exam in the course.
Coursework requirements
Throughout the semester, students have to participate in 75 percent of seminars. Students who do not fulfill the presence requirement must pass an assignment given by the course coordinators in order to qualify for the final exam.
At every seminar an assignment is discussed, and at the end of the seminar, students have to submit a written response to the assignment task. These assignments will combine individual and group assignments in written format, class discussion, and class presentations.