Entry requirements

60 credits

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.