LEARNING OUTCOMES
After the course the student knows the basics of how social scientific thinking and perspectives can be applied in engineering and design work. Especially, the student learns how technology, society and culture are in a profoundly reciprocal relationship shaping each other, and therefore, technology should not be seen as a separate from society or culture.
Credits: 5
Schedule: 08.01.2024 - 05.04.2024
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Johanna Ylipulli
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Responsible
teacher: Johanna Ylipulli
Course assistant: TBD
firstname.lastname@aalto.fi
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course is designed for engineering and design students who want to learn a societal perspective into technology. The course provides an overview of how social sciences see the world, especially when it comes to technology and society. The course also sheds light on social science methodology, namely how a variety of methods are used in social sciences to study technology its design and development processes, use and broader societal implications. The course does not aim to convert students into social scientists, but it rather intends to explain how engineering and design work is inherently societal whether the engineer or designer acknowledges it or not.
applies in this implementation
The course teaching consists of lectures (Mon), article discussions in small groups (Wed), and workshops based on group works (Fri).
The 'flow' of the course is as follows: In the beginning of each week, a lecturer introduces a topic that is deepened through 1) readings, 2) discussion sessions in small groups facilitated by PhD researchers and held every week, and 3) workshop held every Friday, where one group of students is in charge of facilitating the session for the rest of the students.
The students will be divided into small groups for the discussions sessions and for the group work as soon as the registration ends.
In total there are two introductory lectures, and 10 guest lectures arranged under 4 themes: Ethics of technology (1 lecture) and Smart cities, Games and Play, and Social media (3 lectures on each theme). More detailed topics can be found below. Teaching will be given in-person at Aalto University campus unless stated otherwise in the detailed schedule.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course teaching consists of weekly lectures, workshops and group discussions, supported by readings. The grading is based on participation to classes, group work prepared for the workshop, and an independent writing task.
applies in this implementation
The grading of 2024 course edition is based on
- Participating in discussion sessions facilitated by PhD researcher level assistant teachers (prerequisite: participating in Monday’s lectures and reading the articles each week), 1/3
- Participating in workshops on Fridays, 1/3
- Participating in preparing a group work presented in Friday’s workshop, 1/6
- Learning diary to be returned by the end of the course, 1/6
Transformed into scale 0-100, this means the following:
1.Participating in discussion sessions
We have in total 10 different topics that will be discussed in small groups every week. The PhD researchers working as assistant teachers (AT) will mark if you are present or not. It is also expected that you will actively participate in the discussions, and that you have seen the lecture and read the articles of the week.
Taking into account that you might fall ill or have some other good reasons for not being present every time, you can be away from one discussion session without consequences.
In other words, the maximum number of points you can get is 9 – one point for each discussion session you take part in.
One point of discussion participation is 3,7 points out of maximum 100.
NOTE: if you have to be away more, or if you have very difficult schedules, you can substitute a discussion session by writing a short piece of approx. 2 pages based on the lecture and the articles. You can agree on the details of this task with your own AT.
2.Participating in Fridays’ workshops
There are in total 10 workshops on Fridays and again, we will mark whether you are present or not. Participation means actively participating in group discussions/group work facilitated by the group that is in charge of that Friday.
For a good reason, you can be away once. Each workshop participation counts as one point. So, the maximum number of points you can get from this part is 9.
Therefore, one point of discussion participation is 3,7 points out of maximum 100.
3.Group work
Each group prepares an activity for the rest of the group based on the week's lecture and readings. The aim of this part is to explore how the topics that we go through can be applied; how they can be connected with every day issues that you may be working with in the future.
From the group work you can earn 0-5 points depending on the quality of the work you have done. Criteria will be described separately in My Courses pages. You get 0 points if you don’t participate in preparing the group work and presenting.
One point is 3,333 points out of maximum 100.
4.Learning Diary
Each student prepares an individual learning diary, and the deadline will the at the end of the course.
A MORE DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE ADDED SOON
From the learning diary you can earn 0-5 points depending on the quality of the work you have done. You get 0 points if you don’t return your essay or if your text reveals that you have not even tried to write something sensible.
One point is 3,333 points out of maximum 100.
In order to pass the course, you need to gather points for each of the four areas.
What comes to grades, our working model is currently as follows:
- 0-50 points, failed
- 51-60 points, grade 1
- 61-70 points, grade 2
- 71-80 points, grade 3
- 81-90 points, grade 4
- 91-100 points, grade 5
We reserve the right to tweak this model a bit as we see how the course proceeds.
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Lectures, workshops, participating to group discussions, reading literature, preparing group work and other self-study.
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Readings, lecture materials listed in the course web pages.
applies in this implementation
Links to the readings or the pdf copies will be added to My Courses.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
5 Gender Equality
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
16 Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language : English
Teaching Period : 2022-2023 Spring III - IV
2023-2024 Spring III - IVEnrollment :
If there is a need to limit the number of students, then the admission to the course will occur in the following order: 1) students chosen to complete a major in information networks, 2) other Aalto students. Bachelor's students can be accepted if the bachelor's degree is almost completed, and the smooth progress of studies requires the commencement of master's studies.
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation
Schedules and topics of the lectures 2024
Mon 8.1. - Fri 12.1. Course practicalities and Introduction to the course by Johanna.
NOTE: there is no in-person teaching on 8th of Jan, but students are asked to watch a video explaining the practicalities of the course, and study carefully all the information provided in My Courses. The first in-person lecture is on Fri 12th of Jan.
Overarching theme:
Mon 15.1. 12:15-14: Kai Kimppa, University of Turku - Ethics of Information Technology
Sub-theme: Smart Cities
Mon 22.1. 12:15-14: Sara Zaman, University of Helsinki: Smart city imaginaries and imagination
Mon 29.1. 12:15-14: Karolina Drobotowicz, Aalto University: Public AI services
Mon 5.2. 12:15-14: Alina Wernick, University of Helsinki: Smart cities and human rights (probably Zoom)
Sub-theme: Games and Play
Mon 12.2. 12:15-14: Janset Shawash, Tampere University: Urban gamification
Mon 26.2. 12:15-14: Maria Ruotsalainen, University of Jyväskylä: Gender and games
Mon 4.3. 12:15-14: Katriina Heljakka, University of Turku: Toys and play across the lifespan
Sub-theme: Social Media
Mon 11.3. 12:15-14: TO BE CONFIRMED
Mon 18.3. 12:15-14: Minttu Tikka, Aalto University: Disaster communication
Mon 25.3. 12:15-14: Asko Lehmuskallio, Tampere University: Visual Studies
Subject to slight changes
Schedules and topics of the discussion sessions in small groups
Every Wed at 12:15-14, starting from 17.1. to 27.3. The topics follow the topics of the lectures.
Schedules and topics of the seminars
Every Fri at 10:15-12, starting from 19.1. to 5.4. The topics follow the topics of the lectures.
- Teacher: Ylipulli Johanna