course-details-portlet

KULT2201 - STS: Digitalization and social change

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Assignment
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Assignment 100/100 A

Course content

This course explores the relationship between digital technology and societal change. It explores how digitalization shapes important aspects in society such as digitalization of labor, health, surveillance, identity and culture. With a particular interest in the user's role in technological development, the course aims to show how major technological shifts fade into people's everyday lives, and how technological development is not pre-determined or the same as progress. The course furthers a critical approach to visions concerning the potential of digitalization, and highlights nuanced understandings of what digitalization does and does not do in society.

The course is based on science and technology studies (STS) that are concerned with how technology and society shape each other, but it also draws on related fields. In addition, the course has an integrated perspective on inclusion and diversity to understand how digital technology can exclude vulnerable groups, reinforce inequalities and contribute to discrimination - or vice versa; Provide platforms to minorities, create inclusion and counteract injustice.

The course is open to all students, and is part of the one year program in STS (studies of knowledge, technology and society) which qualifies as subject 2 in most bachelor degrees and PPU (social sciences)

Learning outcome

Students of this course have knowledge about:

  • critical perspectives on technological development, specifically related to digitalization
  • theoretical tools for doing critical analyses of design and use of digital technology
  • social and cultural change in various societal areas as a consequence of digitalization
  • digital technology as a source of exclusion and inclusion

Students of this course are skilled at:

  • analyzing processes of digitalization on various societal areas
  • analyzing design and use of new technology with a focus on the role of users
  • analyzing design and use of digital technology in a inclusion and diversity perspective
  • planning and conducting a smaller project on digitalization and social change

Learning methods and activities

The course has three parts. One theoretical part on critical perspectives on digitalization. One empirical part about thematical areas, such as digitalization of surveilance, health or labor (this will vary from year to year). The third part consists of work on a smaller research project leading to a semester assignment. In order to suppert the development of the project, work requirements are mandatory.

The work requirements consist of individual and group based deliverables in various formats. The final semester assignment is an individual work.

Because of considerable organizational changes in 2020, work requirements from semesters before will not be automatically accepted, but they can count as part of the work requirement.

The subject is taught in Norwegian or English.

Compulsory assignments

  • Up to 4 approved work requirements

Further on evaluation

Semester assignment. This assumes that up to 4 obligatory work requirements is accepted.

Re-sit examination is arranged as a one-week home exam in the following semester.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Will be specified at the start of the course.

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  15.0 SP
Study level: Intermediate course, level II

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Science and Technology Studies
  • Gender Research
  • Media Studies
  • Social Studies
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn UTS Assignment 100/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Assignment 100/100 A INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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