In this course, we will explore the relationship between technology and society from different academic perspectives. We will examine central claims about modernity, progress, productivity and materiality by exploring some of the most important contemporary industries and technologies. The course focuses on the context in which science and technology develops and the social, economic and political consequences of scientific and technological innovation.
Titular Professors
Professors
PRE-REQUIREMENTS (COURSES) European Economic and Social History
The aim of this trajectory is to think about where science and technology come from, the factors that shape the way they are used and the forces that determine their impact on society. Students will learn to critically assess the relationship between scientific and technological invention, use and progress, and apply these insights to real life case studies of business and industry.
Theme 1: Course Introduction: Are We Still Modern? An introduction to the course through a discussion of modernity and its key characteristics. Key discussions include secularism, modern science and economics, productivity and progress, and utopias and dystopias.
Theme 2: Technological Determinism and Technological Use Perspectives. We explore two different perspectives for studying and understanding technological development and social change.
Theme 3: Experts and Amateurs.
Theme 4: Technologies and the City.
Theme 5: Coming Down from the Clouds: The Materiality of the Internet.
Theme 6: Project Introduction and Genetics and Gene Editing: Delegation, Affordance and Social Groups.
Midterm Exam Revision
Theme 7: Biometrics, Cashless Societies and the Politics of Data.
Theme 8: Artificial Intelligence: Revolutions and Governance.
Theme 9: Space Exploration.
Theme 10: TBC.
Project Presentations.
Course Review and Final Exam Revision.
The course will consist of a mixture of lectures, videos, readings, in-class activities and discussions. The lectures will be analysis and expansion of the required readings. To understand these concepts, it is essential that required readings be completed on time. Participative attendance is a major aspect of this course Lecture notes and regularly post reading material will be also distributed on the e-study. Students will also participate in seminars on Modern Social Thought throughout the course.
The main methodologies used for this course are:
MD.0 Class Lecture
MD.1 Problem-oriented classes and exercises
MD.4 Seminars
MD.6 Project-based learning
Students will be assessed in four ways: 1. Final Exam (45%): short answer and essay-based questions based upon material covered in classes. 2. Project (25%): Podcast submission based upon structured research project. 3. Group Debates: (15%). 4. Participation (15%): Actively participating in class, not disturbing the classroom environment for other students, and submitting any formative tasks requested by the professor.
This course consists of the following evaluation activities:
Participation (highly significant assessment activity) / 25% of the final grade. The maximum percentage of the grade is obtained when the student attends all or nearly all scheduled sessions and consistently demonstrates exemplary class conduct. In addition to attendance and class conduct, punctuality and participation in class activities will be considered, whether by answering questions posed by the professor or by asking relevant questions and/or participating in discussions with other classmates when the session allows it. Finally, the student’s participation in class during group activities will also be considered. Participation will be evaluated on a week-by-week basis with the student revieing one mark for the course.
Class Project (highly significant assessment activity) / 30% of the final grade.
Midterm Exam (moderately significant assessment activity) / 15% of the final grade. The midterm exam will assess students’ understanding of the fundamental theories, models, and concepts discussed during the first half of the course. It may involve multiple choice questions.
Final Exam (highly significant assessment activity) / 30% of the final grade. The final exam will be comprehensive and will cover the entire course content, with an emphasis on the second half. It may include a combination of multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay-type questions that require students to demonstrate both their knowledge and their ability to apply theoretical frameworks about science and technology studies to specific businesses contexts.
Retake policy: Students who fail the course (weighted average grade <5) can sit a retake exam, which will reassess all the material covered in the course. The final course grade will then be the weighted average of the retake grade (60%) and the student’s original grade for the course project and participation (40%).
This course focuses on social science literature on science and technology in relation to business.
This course focuses on social science literature on science, technology and business relations.