Programme description for Technology, Humans and Society, Master's programme (2026–2028)

Upon completion of the programme the students shall

Knowledge

• Have insight into various views on what technology is and the relation between technology and ethics
• Have in-depth knowledge about the reciprocal influence between technology, people and society
• Have in-depth knowledge about humanistic and social methodology and work methods
• Be able to apply this knowledge on new areas where technology appears

Skills

• Be able to assess critically the development and implementation of new technology based on theoretical and empirical findings within the fields of humanities and social science
• Be able to develop and lead independent humanistic or social research projects on application of technology
• Be able to see and assess critically the development and use of new technology in a larger perspective of humanities and social studies

General competences

• Be able to disseminate, both orally and in writing, various humanistic and social theories and empirical perspectives on technology
• In an independent and critical way, participate in discussions about human and social consequences of the development and application of new technology
• Be able to contribute with new ideas and innovation within a humanistic and social perspective related to technology
• Be able to analyse important international dimensions related to central topics in the programme

The general admission requirement is a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent education of a minimum of three years duration (180 ECTS credits) within the field of technology, humanities or social studies.

At least two years of work experience after completed education. Relevant work practice must be from a position requiring higher education.

A weighted average grade of C or better is a requirement. The requirement is calculated on the basis of the bachelor’s degree as a whole.

Furthermore, the general regulations on admission to studies at the University of Agder will apply.

One of today’s characteristics is the rapid development and implementation of technology, especially when it comes to biotechnology and digital technology. This is a technology with extensive long term consequences for the individual, social relations in groups of people and for society as a whole. To understand this development, to be able to relate to it constructively and critically, and thus also be better equipped to make good choices when it comes to present and future innovation, we need to study technology from a humanistic and social perspective. This programme attempts to understand technology in this perspective by studying the philosophy, ethics, history and literature of technology, as well as the relation between technology and gender and communication and politics. Central issues that function as a link between these topics are the essence of technology, the role it has and should have, both in people’s individual lives and in various work-related and social contexts.

The programme yields competences relevant for the following sustainable development goals:

• Gender equality
• Ending climate changes
• Industry, innovation and infra structure

This is a digital programme with a minimum of one physical meeting per semester.

The digital infrastructure is primarily the learning platform Canvas, the digital examination system Inspera and the open blog service WordPress.

Canvas will provide access to all plans and schedules for the programme as well as literature, allocated on the various courses and course modules. In each module, there will be available learning resources such as video-based lectures, power-points, group work, quizzes etc.

The greater part of the syllabus is in English. This is standard in relevant and comparable educational programmes. There is very little literature and few relevant texts in Norwegian as the programme is oriented towards an international research field. When choosing topics for the students’ individual master’s theses, those who are interested are encouraged to go for international thematics and questions that imply contacting and using sources abroad. Students who are interested will also be assisted when searching for relevant theoretical and methodological topics at foreign educational institutions and are encouraged to use the university’s mobility programmes.

Student exchange has been prepared for in the third and/or fourth semester. Students who go abroad will be granted dispensation from compulsorty attendance requirements in the 3rd semester. The university has a number of collaboration agreements with universities and university colleges abroad. Further information can be found on our website: https://www.uia.no/en/student/go-on-exchange

You may also contact the faculty’s coordinator for student exchange, Tone Frøysnes (tone.froysnes@uia.no) or programme coordinator Einar Duenger Bøhn (einar.d.bohn@uia.no) for further information.

The Master’s Degree in Technology, Humans and Society qualifies for work in a variety of fields where an interdisciplinary and critical analytical approach to technology is of importance. This will apply for jobs within training, education, teaching, advisory services and management of enterprises that develop or apply technology. Relevant contexts can be private companies, consultancies, or public administration at various levels within municipality, county or state.

The master’s programme qualifies for further research education (PhD programme, Humanities and Education at UiA).