Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, the students shall

Knowledge

  • Understand the sociotechnical nature of technology
  • Understand what is meant by enlightened political dialogue, and analyse how technological changes may influence this dialogue
  • Have insight into technological trends and their implications in politics
  • Have insight into contemporary circumstances where technology amplifies or suppresses political positions

Skills

  • Be able to discuss existing and future technological trends from a social science perspective, and analyse how this may influence the idea of an enlightened political dialogue

General competences

  • Be able to participate in an academically based discussion about the influence of technology on political dialogue and political processes in today’s society, and identify contemporary circumstances where technology amplifies or suppresses political positions

Contents

The course focuses on how technological change influences political dialogue and, thereby, political processes in our society. We will discuss questions like: (i) How to understand technology from a social science perspective? (ii) What is the relation between political communication and technological trends? (iii) How does technology challenge existing organisation of political parties and other political stakeholders in society? (iv) How can technology, positively and negatively, influence an open political dialogue in our society?

We will start by establishing a common theoretical understanding in order to be able to analyse technology and technological change in a social science context. Then, we will focus on different technological trends in order to understand in full what we are discussing and existing possibilities and restrictions. Finally, we will discuss how technology influences and challenges political processes and political dialogue by discussing contemporary examples from the global, national and local spheres.

Teaching and learning methods

The course is web-based with a compulsory 3-4 day physical gathering at the beginning of the semester. Students will submit assignments of varying length throughout the semester, participate in group discussions and in supervised activities. The workload is estimated at 270 hours.

Examination requirements

Compulsory presentation (seminar leadership). The student must have participated in the compulsory gathering at the beginning of the semester. More information will be published in Canvas.

Examinations

One individual seminar leadership counting 50% of the final grade. Individual oral examination counting 50% of the final grade. Individual grades, A-F.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.

Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course

Admission requirments similar to the requirements for the Master's programme in Technology, Humans and Society.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 3:04:23 PM