Course syllabus for Digitalisation and society

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-15 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameDigitalisering och samhälle
  • CodeTEK600
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMTS
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • ThemeMTS 7.5 c
  • DepartmentTECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND ECONOMICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 99124
  • Maximum participants35
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsYes

Credit distribution

0118 Take-home examination 7.5 c
Grading: TH		 7.5 c

In programmes

Examiner

Go to coursepage (Opens in new tab)

Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level studies

Course specific prerequisites

No particular prerequisites are needed.

Aim

The aim of this course is help students develop basic understanding of economic and governance principles, and analytical skills to conceptualise and critically assess the interplay between digitalisation and society.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

The aim of this course is help students comprehend what digitalisation means for society. The course will address how digitalisation interplays with business development coupled with societal and institutional development, and to assess the ongoing changes. 

The following defines further the learning goals of the course:

- Describe and analyze the interplay between digitalisation on the one hand and societal change on the other
- Identify factors that influence digitalisation
- Describe and analyze the mechanisms of digitalisation
- Explain and interpret historical processes of digitalisation, and also make forecasts of future effects of digitalisation, both short-term and long-term
- Describe and analyze theoretical concepts and explanatory models for the interplay between digitalisation and societal change
- Problematize the societal consequences of digitalisation, then, now and in the future
- Observe the ethical problems that digitalisation may involve
- Write argumentative text

Content

This course uses case studies from a wide range of sectors, such as telecommunications, manufacturing, energy, health, transport, to explain the ongoing fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0. Digital innovations in products and services, processes and business models have radically changed the way industries work. Next generation industries are characterised by countless interconnected devices, automated processes, and storage, analysis and use of massive amount of data. Students will hear about real experiences of companies which have been changing their business models and strategies to embrace the opportunities brought about by digitalisation. The course also discusses the role of governments and policy makers play to unlock the benefits of digitalisation, and prevent threats and challenges. In addition, this course wants to raise awareness of the complexity of a digital society, by addressing ethical concerns related to privacy, security and sustainability.

Organisation

The course consists of lectures, study visits and seminars, some of which are compulsory.

Literature

All material, including book chapters, scientific articles, popular sciene articles and official documents published by public authorities will be made accessible to students in the course webpage.

Examination including compulsory elements

The examination is composed of three parts: group-based project, take-home exam, reflection reports. Additional hand-ins such as questions to lectures may be added. 

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.