| Unit name | Introduction to Digital and Technological Society |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SOCIM0037 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Downer |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
“Introduction to Digital and Technological Society” forms the bedrock of your understanding of the complex interactions between technology and society. We live in a rapidly evolving digital age where technology, politics, and society are inextricably intertwined. This unit will equip you with the theoretical tools you will need to grapple with this multifaceted relationship. Drawing on insights from a range of literatures from Sociology and Politics to Science and Technology Studies (STS), and a wide range of case studies, you will acquire a nuanced understanding of how technology shapes, and is shaped by, society. By providing a broad overview of the types of social challenges and opportunities that arise from technological change — encompassing themes of risk, culture, social wellbeing, political economy and social justice — it offers an essential toolkit to critically engage with, contribute to, and make informed decisions in, a world that is creating ever more transformative technologies.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
"Introduction to Digital and Technological Society" is a cornerstone unit of your MSc Program. It introduces the critical interplay between technology and society, setting the stage for the program's interdisciplinary focus. This unit serves as the foundation for understanding core disciplinary competencies, while also offering a broad context that complements other specialized units. The knowledge and analytical skills gained here will underpin your subsequent studies, shaping your ability to examine and address the intricate social and political dimensions of technological transformations in different contexts and from multiple perspectives. This unit is mandatory and must pass.
An Overview of Content:
This unit delves into the interplay between technology, politics, and digital society. The content spans multiple disciplines, from Sociology and Politics to Science and Technology Studies (STS). You'll engage with scholarship pertaining to technological risk, the social shaping of technology, the politics of technology, digital culture, digital economy, and much more. Through various case studies, you'll examine the ways technology transforms societies and how societal norms and expectations shape technological developments.
How Will Students, Personally, Be Different as a Result of the Unit:
Upon completion of this unit, you will gain a deep understanding of the complex interactions between technology and society. Your thought will be shaped by an interdisciplinary approach to analyzing the sociopolitical dimensions of technological change: its impacts and its implications. You'll acquire the ability to critically evaluate and address societal issues related to technological transformation, and you'll be primed to engage with those issues more meaningfully and responsibly.
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
These outcomes will not only equip you with a unique perspective on technology and society but also bolster your employability by honing skills that are highly sought after in today's vocational landscapes.
How you will learn:
Your learning journey in this unit will be blend various methods designed to stimulate intellectual curiosity, foster interactive learning, and facilitate reflective and applied understanding of the material.
Primarily, your learning will be guided through lectures, offering a structured understanding of the core concepts and themes. The lectures aim to introduce you to the critical dimensions of technology, politics, and society and provoke thought on the intricate relationships between them. In addition to lectures, seminar sessions will provide an interactive environment that encourages peer learning and collaborative problem-solving. These sessions will involve group discussions based on the lecture themes, encouraging you to exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and consolidate your understanding. Formative essay writing will be an integral part of your learning process, preparing you for summative assessments and provide opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to practical scenarios.
This approach, which aligns with SPAIS’s broader MSc pedagogy, has been chosen because it suits the unit's interdisciplinary nature, its learning outcomes and its assessment choices. The blend of didactic and participatory learning methods is designed to cater to a variety of learning styles, fostering an inclusive learning environment, and ensuring that you gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics between technology, politics, and society.
Tasks Which Help You Learn and Prepare You for Summative Tasks (Formative):
A 700-word Media Analysis Project: You will select a piece of media (such as a news article, documentary, or social media trend) that discusses a technological development and analyze it using the theories and concepts covered in the unit. The goal is to allow you to practice applying academic theories to everyday media, and enhance your critical media literacy. (Addresses all ILOs)
Tasks Which Count Towards Your Unit Mark (Summative):
The summative assessment will be a 2000-word policy brief, on a contemporary issue related to digital and technological society. This would involve researching the issue, summarizing the key points in relation to themes from the unit, and proposing informed recommendations. This mirrors tasks you might perform in professional roles related to policy or advocacy. (Addresses all ILOs)
Both the formative and summative assessments have been designed to balance learning and evaluation, aiming to provide comprehensive feedback and meaningful learning experiences throughout the course.
When assessment does not go to plan:
Where a student is eligible to resubmit they will normally complete the reassessment in the same format as outlined above. For the policy brief, students are expected to select a different issue with which to engage.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. SOCIM0037).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
