Social and Ethical Implications of Digitalization - M.Sc.





General information




  • Module: Social and Ethical Implications of Digitalization
  • Credits: 6 ECTS
  • Cycle: single
  • Language: English
  • Examination: written examination (100%)
  • Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Robert Wayne Gregory



Dates, times, location



Lectures


  • 18.12.2017, 14:30-18:00, ZHG 1.142
  • 19.12.2017, 09:00-12:30, Audi 11
  • 20.12.2017, 09:00-12:30, Audi 11
  • 21.12.2017, 09:00-12:30, ZHG 1.141


Exam


  • 12.01.2018, 08:15-09:45, VG 1.105



Learning outcome, core skills



This course aims to explore digitalization of society from the standpoint of a socially responsible digital leadership. It develops a set of concepts, frameworks, and tools to help students understand how to make decisions related to digitalization that establish a meaningful balance between the enabling and constraining roles of ICT.

Content


This course is organized based on two complementary frameworks. First, a framework for Ethics. Second, a framework for Digitalization

1) Ethics framework. The following areas of “digital ethics” will be explored in the course:


  • Security (identification mechanisms, encryption, backups, hacking, etc.)
  • Cybercrime (robbery, identity theft, extortion, etc.)
  • Privacy (big data, etc.)
  • Social interaction (social technology, online communication, etc.)
  • Governance (rules, regulations, net neutrality, etc.)
  • Free will (how to use technology, algorithmic regulation, ethics of algorithms, etc.)
  • Society and economy (the digital revolution, smart machines eliminating jobs, autonomous technologies, etc.)



2) Digitalization framework. The following areas of digitalization from a societal perspective will be explored in the course:


  • Connections (Mobile Technology, Cloud Computing, the Internet of Everything, etc.)
  • Information (Big Data, Transparency, the Generation and Sharing of Information, etc.)
  • Interactions (Social Technology, Online Communities, Digital Platforms, Crowdsourcing, etc.)
  • Intelligence (Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Algorithms, Man-Machine Symbiosis, etc.)



The course employs a combination of case discussions and lectures.

Examination



Students will be asked to fulfill standard class attendance and participation requirements as well as to complete a final written exam (90 minutes). More details on the exam will be provided in class.

Exam requirements


In order to accomplish successfully this course, students are expected to document an understanding of:


  • Individual and societal impacts of digitalization including potential ethical risks (including, for example, privacy concerns, security issues, cybercrime, consequences of breakdowns of fully automated systems, income inequality, and worsening other existing social problems)
  • Socially responsible digital leadership (including the enabling and constraining roles of ICT in the design, implementation, and use of the new generation of these technologies also referred to as digital technologies and platforms).



Recommended previous knowledge



Basic knowledge of business administration and information management

Registration


Begins on 02.10.2017 and ends on 16.10.2017. Please send an e-mail to Katharina Erben with your name and your matriculation number.
The number of participants to this course is limited to 20. The places will be awarded upon receipt of the registration.