The Data-driven Society: Social, Political, and Ethical Aspects of Datafication

We live in a society where digital data influences everything from social media to political decisions. This creates new opportunities for knowledge and innovation but also risks and ethical dilemmas. This course introduces critical perspectives on datafication and how it affects the way we live, work and understand the world.

You will explore social, political and ethical issues linked to the collection, analysis and use of data. The course provides tools to analyse how technology and society are intertwined and how this impacts power, privacy and democracy.

The course can be taken as a stand-alone option and is ideal for anyone interested in digitalisation, societal development and the role of technology in everyday life. You will gain a broad understanding of both opportunities and risks in the data-driven society.

Your studies combine lectures, seminars and group discussions where you analyse real-world examples of datafication. You will work with texts and case studies that show how data influences everything from social media to political decision-making.
The course is divided into three modules: understanding the data-driven society, analysing promises and risks of data, and discussing ideas about the good data life.

Assessment is based on written assignments and oral presentations where you demonstrate your ability to critically review and argue different perspectives.

The course equips you with theoretical knowledge and analytical tools that are valuable for careers in digitalisation, policy development and social analysis.

Prerequisites

General requirements

Selection criteria

Priority is given to applicants who have applied before deadline and are registered to a course or a programme at Lunds University the semester before this course starts. After that seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 32 %. If students have equal credentials, seats are allocated based on their results on The Swedish National University Aptitude Test. If this too is equal, seats are allocated based on a draw.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 9,250
First payment: SEK 9,250

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.