Research Frontiers in the Digitalization of Society

The course is a free standing course in the first cycle.

The course deals with central and emerging perspectives on the digitalization of society. Examples of perspectives that can be addressed are theories that deal with new rationales for governance, organization, and leadership, or new technologies such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and their consequences for society, organizations and individuals.

The course is divided into five overall modules of 3 credits each, each part containing recurring elements consisting of literature studies, knowledge assessment, lecture and discussion.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe central and emerging theories associated with the digitalization of society;
• describe current terminology and contemporary issues within the digitalization of society;

Competence and skills

• present and discuss the effects of research findings and alternative perspectives on the digitalization of society;

Judgement and approach

• independently argue for and against different perspectives on the digitalization of society, with clear reference to research literature;
• evaluate and assess the effects of research findings and perspectives on the digitalization of society.

Literature studies, self-study, lectures and group discussions. All components of the course are carried out remotely.

Language of instruction: English

The students are assessed continuously through quizzes and active participation in group discussions. After each module, an overall assessment is made of whether the student has acquired knowledge, ability and skill in relation to the learning objectives through a compilation of past performance.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local Rules Regarding RIU Students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass (G) and Fail (U). In order to be awarded a Pass for the whole course, a student must get a Pass for all five modules.

Course evaluation is carried out digitally after the course has been completed. The result of the course evaluation is the basis for continuous quality work. The results of the course evaluation and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

The course is given as a distance course, whereby access to a computer with internet access is a prerequisite for participation.