Syllabus for Human-Computer Interaction: Participatory Design and Ethics

Learning outcomes

Regarding knowledge and understanding, on completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• give an account of theoretical debates in the literature on ethics in IT-based solutions,
• give an account of methodological debates in the literature on ethics in IT-based solutions,
• give an account of ethical problems that can arise when designing within organisations.

Regarding competence and skills, on completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• apply theoretical and methodological perspectives on ethics in design reflection,
• examine and analyse existing IT-based solutions from an ethical perspective,
• integrate ethical perspectives in IT-based solutions.

Regarding judgement and approach, on completion of the course, the student is expected to be able to:

• evaluate the social and ethical consequences of IT-based systems, services, and artifacts.

Content

This course is about theoretical and methodological perspectives on ethics in HCI research and practice, with a focus on IT-based solutions. We discuss different ways to view ethics in HCI work and also touch upon questions of ethics in HCI work with and within organisations. The course addresses ethical questions both on a macro and micro level by discussing major current ethical questions as well as letting students examine, analyse and reflect on concrete design solutions and case studies on a detailed level. The course also aims to help students integrate ethical perspectives in IT-based solutions.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and project work in groups.

Assessment

Seminars and written assignments.

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 or a decision by the department’s working group for study matters.