Course syllabus - Technology and Society

Objectives

The purpose of this course is to introduce scientific frameworks for assessing the relationship between technological development and societal processes, frameworks that the students apply in several ways during the course in order to learn how to design and develop technologies that respond to societal needs.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
1. Identify concepts and theoretical frameworks to understand the multiple relationships between technology and society and interpret such connections.
2. Analyse relevant case studies and position them within contemporary public and scholarly debates regarding contemporary socio-technological challenges.
3. Apply a critical thinking, sense-making and problem-solving skills to constructively and responsibly engage with sociotechnical questions.
4. Communicate effectively using scientific language and reasoning.

Course content

The students work with different group and individual assignments and are supported by lectures and seminars that introduce and discuss concepts and tools for working with technological development. The students produce not only own suggestions for models and solutions in the group and individual assignments, but also perform critical evaluations of such suggestions.

Tuition

Lectures, seminars, presentations, group and individual work.

Requirements

Basic eligibility and Physics 2, Chemistry 1, Mathematics 3c or Mathematics D

Examination

Group assignment (GRU1), 1,5 credits, grade Pass (G) [learning outcomes 1, 4]
Group assignment (GRU2), 2 credit, grade Pass (G) [learning outcome 2, 4]
Assignment (INL1), 4 credits, grades Excellent (A), Very good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Sufficient (E), Insufficient, complementary work possible (Fx), Insufficient (F), [learning outcome 3, 4]

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Excellent, Very good, Good, Satisfactory, Sufficient, Insufficient, complementary work possible, Insufficient

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

Overlap with IEO101