Syllabus for Technology, Power and the Future of Humanity

Teknik, makt och mänsklighetens framtid

Syllabus

  • 7.5 credits
  • Course code: 1MV063
  • Education cycle: First cycle
  • Main field(s) of study and in-depth level: Sustainable Development G2F

    Explanation of codes

    The code indicates the education cycle and in-depth level of the course in relation to other courses within the same main field of study according to the requirements for general degrees:

    First cycle

    • G1N: has only upper-secondary level entry requirements
    • G1F: has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G1E: contains specially designed degree project for Higher Education Diploma
    • G2F: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • G2E: has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements, contains degree project for Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science
    • GXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

    Second cycle

    • A1N: has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1F: has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
    • A1E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits)
    • A2E: contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
    • AXX: in-depth level of the course cannot be classified

  • Grading system: Fail (U), Pass (3), Pass with credit (4), Pass with distinction (5)
  • Established: 2016-03-10
  • Established by:
  • Revised: 2022-02-10
  • Revised by: The Faculty Board of Science and Technology
  • Applies from: Autumn 2022
  • Entry requirements:

    60 credits

  • Responsible department: Department of Earth Sciences

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  • analyse different views on the role of technology in society, the relationship between technology and sustainable development, and how humans as individual beings influence and are influenced by different technologies;
  • apply conceptual, analytical and ethical tools to understand the role of technology in individual as well as collective meaning making processes;
  • critically review different technologies, the use and development of technology and its consequences from a power perspective.

Content

The course deals with historical, idea-historical and philosophical perspectives on technology. Emphasis is placed on different views on the significance and function of technology on a societal and individual level as well as the possibilities and limitations for technology to solve environmental and development problems. Furthermore new technologies and its societal consequences is discussed. This entails in part that methods for risk-assessment and the evaluation of technology are reviewed and analysed, and that a power perspectives on the development of technology and uses of technology is established.

Instruction

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and workshops. The lectures are given by guest lecturers from various academic disciplines and relevant areas of society. Ample opportunities are provided for active student participation and critical reflection. Participation in seminars and workshops is compulsory. Non-compulsory study visits or equivalent may occur.

Assessment

The student is examined through written preparation for (2 credits) and active participation in seminars and workshops (1.5 credits), and through written documentation (3.5 credits) and oral presentation (0.5 credit) of a project.

 

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Other directives

Active participation is reassessed through a re-seminar. If a student after having been offered a re-seminar still does not meet the requirements to pass the active participation elements the examiner can choose reassessment by another method.

 

1MV063 Technology, Power and the Future of Humanity cannot be included in the same degree as 1MV021 Hållbar utveckling B.

Syllabus Revisions

Reading list

Reading list

Applies from: Autumn 2022

Some titles may be available electronically through the University library.

  • Nye, David E. Technology matters : questions to live with

    Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2006

    Find in the library

    Mandatory

  • Bowles, Cennydd; Cooper, Alan Future ethics

    Hove: NowNext Press, 2018

    Find in the library

    Mandatory

  • Digitalt kompendium online TMMF

    CEMUS, 2020

    www.cemus.uu.se/tmmf

    Mandatory

Reading list revisions

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