Module Code - Title:
CS4020
-
INFORMATION SOCIETY
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module offers a socio-economic, political and cultural exploration of the "internet society". The course will provide a series of perspectives on the network society, examining its conceptual foundations, critiquing its more polemical exponents, and subjecting the claims of the electronic sublime to critical scrutiny. This module will help students understand some of the current debates in the media about the effects of information and communications technology on society. The module will help the student to develop critical thinking around key issues of the Information Society.
Syllabus:
In this module, the students will cover a series of available approaches to the study and understanding of technological innovation and social change in the Information Society. In particular, the module covers three main approaches to investigate issues related to the Information Society: technological determinism, social constructivism, and alternative theoretical approaches such as Actor Network Theory. The module will then cover a series of specific case studies regarding recent technological innovation and social change. Key issues of the Information Society (security vs. privacy; copy-right vs. copy-left) will be discussed through practical examination of selected case studies in different areas (proprietary systems and IP, user generated content platform and online communities, open source movements).
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
1. Identify with concepts related to technological determinism, social constructivism, and alternative perspectives to understand the relationship between technology and society (such a Actor Network Theory).
2. Enumerate, differentiate and compare some of the key approaches to the study of technological innovation and social change in the Information society;
3. Recognize and appreciate key issues related to the Information Society (e.g. Security vs. Privacy, Copyright vs. Copyleft)
4. Devise research strategies to map, describe, examine and discuss specific socio-technical issues related to the Information Society;
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
1.Challenge common-sense account of technological innovation and social change in the Information Society;
2.Display critical thinking in the examination of specific issues of the information society.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module provides the students with knowledge about available approach to study social change and technological innovation in Information Society. To this purpose, available theories are introduced during the first 4 week and assessed with a mid-term test. The module helps the student to develop the ability to explore, describe and articulate complex socio-technical phenomenon. Different case studies investigating the mutual shaping of technology and society are discussed throughout the rest of the module with reference to critical studies. In this module, groups of students are asked to collaborate in the mapping and investigation of a freely selected case study regarding a new technology, a recent social or technical innovation or a techno-scientific controversy in contemporary society.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Johnson, D. G. and Wetmore, J. M. (2009)
(2009) Technology and
Society - Building our sociotechnical Future
, MIT press,
Cambridge
Frank Webster (1995)
Theories of the Information Society
, Routledge
H. Rheingold (1993)
The virtual community: Homesteading on the electronic frontier
, Addison-Wesley
Other Relevant Texts:
D. Miller and D. Slater (2000)
The Internet: An ethnographic approach
, Oxford:Berg
J. Rifkin (2000)
The Age of Access: How the shift from ownership to access is transforming capitalism
, London: Penguin Books
H. Rheingold (1993)
The virtual community: Homesteading on the electronic frontier
, Reading: Addison-Wesley
M. Castells (2001)
The Internet Galaxy
, Oxford University Press
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
BSDMDEUFA - DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN
BANMENUFA - New Media and English
BAINMEUFA - Irish and New Media
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Autumn
Module Leader:
Cristiano.Storni@ul.ie