Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

Digital Civics aims to develop and bolster students’ understanding of—and critical engagement with—technologies in contemporary society, particularly its intersection with space, society, and democratic involvement. Through engaging with the role of a spectrum of technologies, the module will explore both their intended use and broader consequences of the use of digital technologies. The role of technology will be considered through the lens of citizens, governments and organisations. The aim is for students to develop an understanding of the potential challenges we’ll face in an increasingly digitalised world.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module is delivered through a series of weekly lectures and seminars. Each week, the lectures will explore a theme, with the seminars providing the opportunity for reflection and discussion.

The indicative outline of sessions per week:
1.       Introduction
2.       People, Technologies, and Places
3.       Digital Government
4.       Digital Local Democracy
5.       Ubiquitous Computing
6.       Algorithms, Automation and Autocracy?
7.       Social Media
8.       Designing Digital Services
9.       Designing Digital Services II
10.       Conclusion
11.       Assignment Drop-In

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of the module students should: understand the widespread use of digital technologies in contemporary society, and the influence they have had/are having; and develop a critical awareness of the decisions taken while developing technologies and the potential consequences of these. This will set students on a course to understand digital technologies to help prepare for a career in public service, planning consultancy, or further post-graduate study in an increasingly digitalised society. As follow-on, students are encouraged to take the 3rd year module ‘Strategies into Action’.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The activities undertaken as part of the course, will develop students’ skills in:
• assessing and questioning digital technologies.
• critical analysis and engagement with digital media.
• being able to evaluate how digital tools and technologies operate.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching approach invites critical engagement with the topics through lectures and seminars. Lectures will support students understanding of technologies, and their consequences, and the seminars will provide the space for these to be reflected, debated, and questioned.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The assessment contains a group-based project fostering collaboration and team-work, widely expected in the ‘industry’ and thereby fosters students’ employability.

• For the creative output of the work, a portfolio assessment is used, facilitated by a final presentation of design proposals
• background report is used to assess theoretical understanding and problem-solving skills as relevant for design contexts.

Formative assessments including a mid-term presentation in week four enable students to present early ideas and receive feedback without penalty to their final mark.

A peer review is employed at the end to account for individual contributions to the final work.

The APL group work policy applies in this module, except for requirements to keep a log on e-portfolio as the module provides a dedicated Wordpress site.

General Notes

The reference book will be: Knapp, J., Zeratsky, J., & Kowitz, B. (2016). Sprint. Bantam Press.