CS220-5-FY-CO:
Navigating the Digital World
2020/21
Interdisciplinary Studies Centre (ISC)
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 02 July 2021
30
14 May 2020
Requisites for this module
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(none)
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What does it mean to be a 'digital citizen'? As increasing portions of our personal and professional lives are played our online, acquiring the ability to effectively use digital interfaces and think critically about them is an ever more urgent task, as well as a topic of fierce debate. While some allege that we live in a 'post-fact' era filled with 'fake news' that limits our worldview, others see in digital technologies the key to unlocking social change and bringing people together in new ways across geographical boundaries.
The digital revolution is constantly reshaping our world in a myriad of ways: from surveillance laws to social mobilisation; from innovative business models to open access information; from warfare strategy to medical treatment. Not only this, the way we construct our individual identities, build communities, protect human rights, and promote the humanities is increasingly mediated through online platforms, and contingent on the uneven access that global communities have to technology.
This module is designed to provide you with the practical skills required to navigate the increasingly digital world we live in, and to open up an important critical, interdisciplinary space; you will be encouraged to consider its legal, ethical, social, political, creative and economic implications.
Some of the key questions we'll be addressing are:
How are digital technologies transforming society?
To what extent digital technologies curb or enhance our rights and freedom?
Which are the digital skills needed for the knowledge economy and a democratic society?
How can we build and use our online identities?
How might we use digital technologies as creative and engaging forms of communication?
Autumn Term: The Technology-Enhanced Learning Team (TELT) will lead two-hour sessions. Each session will provide training in a specific topic such as digital identities, e-safety, blogging, social media, multimedia production, and intelligent search strategies. Throughout the term, students will build a digital portfolio which will include a reflective report on their past, present and future use of technology.
Spring Term: Lecturers from different disciplines across the University will lead a series of weekly lectures, which will combine theoretical questions with real-life scenarios to explore issues such as hacking, social media, ethics, digital crime, video games and interactive technologies. These sessions are devised to help students gain a broad awareness of, and to think critically about, the ways that digital technologies are reshaping contemporary societies.
The aims of the module are:
To acquire specific skills in the use of digital tools and online platforms.
To introduce selected debates surrounding the development and use of digital technologies.
To gain a critical understanding of the ethical, technical and social dimensions in the development and use of digital technologies.
By the end of this module, you should have:
A deeper understanding of digital literacies, as well as the confidence and ability to use a broad range of digital technologies.
The ability to discuss the material covered on the module and to demonstrate this competence through coursework, seminar discussions and the creation of a digital portfolio.
A good understanding of the topics and debates that are central to the digital world.
Confidence in using a number of specialised terms and terminology on digital technologies.
The ability to distinguish elements of continuity and disjuncture in the development of digital technologies.
An understanding of the impacts of digital technologies on society and human life.
No additional information available.
All teaching events will be accessible to students on and off campus either face-to-face or remotely through online teaching. Weeks 8 and 21 are Reading Weeks.
- Coleman, E. Gabriella; Golub, Alex. (2008) 'Hacker practice', in Anthropological Theory. vol. 8 (3) , pp.255-277
- Proctor-Thomson, Sarah B. (2013) 'Gender disruptions in the digital industries?', in Culture and Organization. vol. 19 (2) , pp.85-104
- Jackson, Matthew O.; Rogers, Brian W.; Zenou, Yves. (no date) 'The Economic Consequences of Social-Network Structure', in Journal of Economic Literature. vol. 55 (1) , pp.49-95
- Cipresso, Pietro. (2015) 'Psychology Of Social Media: From Technology To Identity', in The Psychology of Social Networking Vol.1 Personal Experience in Online Communities.
- Lee, In. (2017) 'Big data: Dimensions, evolution, impacts, and challenges', in Business Horizons. vol. 60 (3) , pp.293-303
- Guinchard, Audrey. (2011) 'Between Hype and Understatement: Reassessing Cyber Risks as a Security Strategy', in Journal of Strategic Security. vol. 4 (2) , pp.75-95
- Martin, B. (2013) 'Should Videogames be viewed as Art? in Videogames and art', in Videogames and art, Bristol: Intellect., pp.345-368
- Feenberg, Andrew. (2017-09-30) 'The Internet and the End of Dystopia', in Communiquer. Revue de communication sociale et publique. (20) , pp.77-84
- Castells, Manuel. (2014) The Impact of the Internet on Society: A Global Perspective.
- Silberman, Neil. (©2008) 'Chasing the Unicorn? The quest for 'essence' in digital heritage', in New heritage: new media and cultural heritage, Abingdon: Routledge., pp.81-91
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Digital Portfolio |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Assignment (3000 words) |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Paola Di Giuseppantonio Di Franco, email: pd17425@essex.ac.uk.
Autumn: Marty Jacobs, Head of Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)
Interdisciplinary Studies Centre General Office: 6.130; Email: istudies@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Ross Wilson
University of Nottingham
Director of Liberal Arts
Available via Moodle
Of 1344 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
1344 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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