LFU:online

After attending this course, students will have the following skills.

Subject-related skills

Knowledge of relevant theories to explain and predict the impact of digital technologies on society.

- Awareness that the design of digital technologies embeds ethical values
- Knowledge of potential ethical impacts of new digital technology developments on society
- Understanding of the options for design and action in the social use of digital technologies
- Knowledge of relevant social influencing factors

Judgment and action skills

- Judge the impact of digital technologies on society and politics. Be able to reflect and assess digital technologies and innovation potential for society.
- Be able to apply the theories, models and frameworks discussed to the use and design of digital technologies in society and derive recommendations for action
- Evaluate technological and policy action alternatives in connection with digital technologies by means of ethical theories as well as assess their ethical and moral impact on different stakeholders
- Derive functional, non-functional and ethical requirements for digital technologies- Prepare well-founded, theory-based decisions on the introduction, use and design of concrete digital technologies
- Design ethically-sustainable possibilities and opportunities with digital technologies

Methodological competence

- Research sources and materials from the relevant academic literature and deal with them in a reflective manner
- Apply theoretical concepts to concrete cases
- Prepare and critically discuss arguments
- Interpret and present results

The lecture teaches the basic concepts of the societal aspects of digitalization.

The design and use of current digital technologies (e.g., machine learning, robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, social networks, etc.) in society will be considered using theories from information systems and the social and economic sciences (e.g., socio-technical systems theory, social learning theory, actor-network theory, structuration theory, technology acceptance model, etc.). Alternative courses of action for design and use are identified and the ethical consequences of these actions are evaluated. The analysis in the seminar is carried out on a pragmatic level (application of selected technologies and systems in a concrete context) as well as on a theoretical level (cause-effect mechanisms) and on a social level (social norms, politics and culture). Based on a material ethics of values, the design of digital technologies embeds ethical values such as freedom of action, power, security, effectiveness, truth, and opportunity for self-actualization into them. Digital technologies significantly influence the actions and successful living (eudaimonia) of people in the digital age.

The following topics will be covered in the course:
- Fundamental concepts and theories of the digital society
- Digital technology, innovation and human progress
- Digital technology and ethics
- Leadership in the digital society
- Human well-being and technology addiction

Interactive lessons introduce the topics to students.

Group work, reading assignments, discussion of materials and video expert interviews based on guiding questions, short presentations, case studies, online learning games.

The lecture (VU) teaches the fundamentals that will be further elaborated on in the SE “Current Topics of Information Systems, Especially the Digital Society”.

The grade will depend on the following components:

45% Final exam (a minimum of 40% of points must be achieved on the final exam in order to pass the course)

20% Presentation of scientific papers

15% Theory fact sheet

20% Participation in lecture activities, discussions, quizzes, games, etc.

Klein, H. K., & Kleinman, D. L. (2002). The social construction of technology: Structural considerations. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 27(1), 28-52.

Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2011). The Wise Leader. Harvard Business Review, 89(5), 58-67.

Positive completion of the courses referred to in § 7 (2.2).