Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description IT and Society is a readings based and student-led module on the BSc Marketing Innovation and Technology and Digital Business and Innovation degrees. As a fourth year subject it aims to develop and apply students’ understanding of the societal structures in which technology develops and the implications of technological progress. It covers a variety of themes including (but not limited to) technological addiction, automation, surveillance and privacy, post-humanism and social justice. Ideological and political frameworks are explored to make sense of these thematic issues. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of theories of technology in society 2. Students will be able to communicate and apply academic frameworks concerning technology in society through real-life case studies. 3. Students will be able to identify major social, political and cultural issues regarding information technology in everyday life through local and international contextualisation. 4. Students will be able to critically reflect on the ethics and sustainability of technological development. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Differing ideologies and politics of IT Examination of the ideological and political assumptions embedded in the development and governance of information technologies. Consideration of how technological systems reflect broader social, economic, and political power structures. Indicative topics may include: Technological determinism and the social shaping of technology Techno-optimism, techno-pessimism and technological solutionism The political economy of the digital economy and platform capitalism Silicon Valley ideology and innovation culture Corporate influence and power in digital infrastructures State governance and regulation of digital technologies Technology and democracy Captive technologies Indicative topics may include: Persuasive technology and behavioural design Captology and behaviour modification through digital systems Attention economies and engagement-based platform models The “hook” model and variable reward mechanisms in digital platforms Algorithmic personalisation and behavioural nudging Addictive design features in social media and digital platforms Ethical debates surrounding manipulative design practices Critiquing information technology. Introduction to critical perspectives that challenge dominant narratives of technological progress and neutrality. Indicative topics may include: Critical theory approaches to technology Technology as a socio-technical system Unintended consequences of technological innovation The myth of technological neutrality The environmental costs of digital infrastructures Cultural and social impacts of technological change Critical perspectives on innovation and disruption narratives Privacy and surveillance Critical analysis of the expansion of digital surveillance and the collection, analysis, and commercialisation of personal data. Indicative topics may include: Surveillance capitalism and data extraction Digital privacy and data protection Algorithmic governance and predictive analytics Government surveillance and national security Corporate data collection and behavioural prediction Biometric technologies and facial recognition Ethical and regulatory challenges surrounding digital surveillance Technology and social justice Examination of how technological systems can both reinforce and challenge social inequalities. Indicative topics may include: Digital divides and inequalities in access to technology Algorithmic bias and discrimination in automated systems Online hate, harassment and digital harms Technology and marginalised communities Digital activism and social movements Platform responsibility and content moderation Inclusive and ethical technology design IT and the post-human Exploration of philosophical and social debates about the evolving relationship between humans and technology. Indicative topics may include: Post-humanism and transhumanism Human enhancement technologies Artificial intelligence and human agency Human–machine interaction and hybrid identities Ethical questions surrounding human augmentation The future of work and automation The changing definition of what it means to be human | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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Other Resources
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