The Internet and Society (U03378)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-U03378

This Honours course will investigate a pervasive phenomenon of contemporary life, the Internet. It will focus on the way that the Internet and other related technologies, such as mobile phones, are being integrated into every level of social and political life, and the resulting challenges for social theory and research. The approach will be constructivist, analysing how the Internet is co-evolving though its exploitation, use and governance, rather than its impact on society. After introducing theories of technology and society and the Information Society, and an overview of technical issues, the course will cover themes of social exclusion, political organisation, globalisation and development, the information economy, the digital divide and space and place. It will finish will an introduction to implications of the internet for research methodology.
This course will complement existing courses, offering students a chance to debate whether the internet changes fundamentally questions and problems addressed through social research and policy.

The course will also touch upon a range of broader related issues such as organisation, identity, internet subcultures, ICTs in everyday life, media and media policy, telecommunications policy, although these will not be covered in detail.

Entry Requirements

none

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Sociology, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 1 hour(s) 50 minutes per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
20/09/2007	09:00	10:50	Room G.01, William Robertson Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	09:00	10:50	Central

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

To provide tools for a critical approach to understanding technology and society, and the Internet in particular.
To examine the main theoretical debates around the Internet and Society.
To examine a range of contemporary policy domains where the Internet and other ICTs are becoming central issues.
To investigate methodological implications of the Internet in social science research.

Assessment Information

One two hour examination, weighted at 75%
One coursework assignment, 1,500 words, weighted at 25%, based on class presentations and participation in the class blogspace