Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will gain a solid grounding in key topics in contemporary philosophy of technology with a special focus on aesthetics and ethics of new and emerging technologies. Critical thinking is learned through gaining knowledge of central concepts and narratives concerning technological developments. The studentswill become more fluent in using different concepts and analysing discourses around various types of technologies. The students will gain confidence in discussing the role and of different technologies and tools and in understanding the role of the human agency in technological processes. Throughout the course, there is a special emphasis on creative and artistic processes. 

Credits: 6

Schedule: 22.10.2024 - 28.11.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sanna Lehtinen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

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 concentrates on contemporary trends in philosophy of technology with a focus on aesthetics, sustainability, and art. We will discuss how technology-related theories and concepts affect and help to analyse different types of creative practices. Besides contemporary philosophy of technology and aesthetics, other central content areas of the course include ethics, pragmatism, philosophy of the city, and environmental philosophy. The theoretical contents are discussed with a broad range of case examples which contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the human-world and human-nonhuman relations and how technology contributes to them.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Seminar work (lectures+small group discussions), smaller assignments based on readings and other learning materials, and final task; grading is based on the final task and seminar attendance.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    6 credits (162 hours):

    • Seminar meetings (42 h)
    • Smaller assignments + independent work (60 h)
    • Final task (60 h)

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Broad selection of related research articles and other materials assigned by the lecturer, will be announced in the first meeting.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    10 Reduced Inequality

    11 Sustainable Cities and Communities

    12 Responsible Production and Consumption

    13 Climate Action

    14 Life Below Water

    15 Life on Land

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn II
    2025-2026 Autumn II

    Registration:

    Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https//www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts

    Minimum amount of participants 8. Maximum amount of participants 60.