TIK2401 – Controversies About Technology and Change
Course content
Innovations lead to social and environmental change and improvements, but innovations may also create new problems and be sources of controversy, protest and political conflict. Innovations often lead to debates about what is good or problematic innovations and this societal and technological development. Artificial intelligence, new energy technologies, or genetically modified organisms are examples of technological innovations that have sparked protests and discussion over how they can be responsibly developed and democratically governed. How can we understand innovation-controversies, how can they be analyzed, and how can we foster democratic engagement with them??
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By analyzing recent or ongoing controversies, this course introduces you to how innovations have engendered critique, moral reflections and political debate. It will foster engagement and capacity to critically reflect on the social and environmental aspects of technological innovation. The course also introduces you to how innovation controversies can be studied through the method of controversy analysis. Through practical examples and exercises, you will become familiar with tools for mapping the issues and actors that are at stake in technological controversies, and approaches for democratic participation.?
Learning outcome
Knowledge?
In-depth understanding of contemporary cases of controversy related to innovation and new technologies, and how they are handled in democratic institutions??
An understanding of how controversies can be used to understand societal and technological change?
General knowledge about the theoretical foundations of controversy analysis?
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Skills?
The ability to analyze ongoing or historical controversies?
Familiarity with key tools and methods for controversy mapping, such as digital methods and document analysis?
Ability to reflect on the democratic aspects of technological controversies and familiarity with basic methods for democratic participation?
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General competences?
Experience with identifying and collecting material for analysis?
Experience with collaborative work in interdisciplinary teams?
Experience with presenting your work to others in different formats, including visualizations and oral presentations?
Recommended previous knowledge
It is recommended that you have completed either the introductory course of the innovation certificate (TIK2000), the introductory course of the sustainability certificate (SUS2000), or, alternatively, at least 30 ECTS of introductory courses in a social-science subject.?
Teaching
The course is based on intensive teaching and project work over a four-week period. Students are expected to contribute actively through collaborative exercises and presentations, including selecting and analyzing an ongoing controversy.
Examination
Final assessment will be based on a portfolio of presentations and writing assignments.?
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.