ABOUT THE PROGRAM
This course will introduce learners to themes that mark this century: the social impact of technology and ethical dimensions of a mediated humanity. You will delve into the intricate relationship between technology and society, understanding how technological advancements shape our lives. By examining the historical context of technology and its influence on social change, we will uncover the recent transformations that have profoundly impacted government, business, and society. From breakthroughs in medicine to the ethical implications of artificial intelligence, we will cover a wide range of thought-provoking topics.
This course offers a flexible learning environment, allowing you to progress at your own pace while benefiting from structured guidance. By the end of this course, you will have developed the skills necessary to critically examine the ethical implications of technology on society, empowering you to become an informed and responsible citizen in our ever-evolving world.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- To study the ways in which technology shapes society in the 21st century.
- To understand and analyse the ethical implications of technology on society.
- To critically understand the history of technological change and its impact on humanity.
- To survey the impact of technology on the fields of medicine, finance and industry.
- To reflect on how technology is shaping identity in a time of digital selves and social media persuasions.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Have a comprehensive understanding of the history of technological change and its impact on humanity.
- Critically evaluate and articulate one’s perspectives on ethical dilemmas arising from technological advancements.
- Draw connections between technological change and societal shifts.
- Analyse and evaluate how technology has transformed different sectors, including benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations.
- Critical understanding of how technology influences and shapes individual and collective identities.
STRUCTURE
| Mode | Online |
|---|---|
| Dates | 1 July - 30 Aug, 2023 |
| Credits | 2 (credit equivalence and award subject to parent university policies and guidelines) |
| Hours | 30 |
| Certification | Yes, the certificate shall be issued to all the qualifying students |
| Eligibility | Undergraduate students from any discipline |
| Cohort Size | 30 |
| Live Sessions | 6 Instructor-led sessions, 12 hours (Conducted on Zoom) 2 Peer learning discussion sessions, 3 hours (Conducted on Zoom) |
| Digital Content | 15 hours (recorded lectures, reading materials, self-assessments) |
| Evaluation | Critical reasoning-based group assignment and presentation |
| Fees | There is no fee for this course |
| FLAME students | Not open for FLAME University students currently. |
TOPICS & KEY COVERAGE
| Technology and Society: An Introduction |
| Scientific Paradigms: How Science Progresses (Philosophy of Science) |
| Humans and Machines: Questions of Technological Determinism, Artificial Intelligence, and Posthumanism |
| Medical Technology |
| Big Data: Concerns of Privacy and Surveillance, Social Media, and Identity |
| Ethical Questions for Science and Society |
Faculty
Prof. Sinjini Mukherjee
Assistant Professor - Sociology
Dr. Sinjini Mukherjee is an anthropologist with over 10 years of experience in ethnographic research, predominantly on themes of new medical technologies, health and disease, in diverse sites spread across India (Delhi, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal), and overseas (Germany, US). She is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at FLAME University, Pune, India. Prior to joining FLAME University, she held a postdoctoral fellowship (2019 – 2020) at the Rutgers Centre for Historical Analysis (RCHA), Rutgers University, USA. She received her doctoral degree in Sociocultural Anthropology from the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany, and her research was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).Her primary research focus has been on new medical technologies in the fields of transplants and birthing.
TESTIMONIAL
Happy to share that I have successfully completed the 'Technology and Society' course... A big thank you to Dr Sinjini Mukherjee for being an amazing professor at FLAME University scoring 100% in the first attempt of the final quiz. What I enjoyed the most in this course apart from the nuanced lectures were the Discussion Forums! Those enabled learning not only from the teacher but also from peers where each one of us put our learnings, opinions, and key takeaways. Some of us also put up related articles and research papers which added on to the process of gaining knowledge on Technology and Society from more of an academic lens.