HUM5012 - Philosophy and Technology

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Identify and analyse the philosophical questions that are raised by contemporary technological innovations.
Compare and contrast different philosophical methodologies and concepts for understanding technology.
Critically evaluate the impact of technology on the person and wider society in relation to philosophical questions, such as questions about human nature, the nature of rationality, power and ideology.
Apply a range of philosophical methodologies and/or concepts in a detailed study of a specific type technology and its impact, such as a philosophical evaluation of the impact of the internet on learning.

Content:

This module explores the philosophical questions raised by contemporary technology, with a particular focus on the impact of technology on the person. The content is organised into four sections:

(1) philosophical understandings of technology from the Enlightenment to the 21st Century, with a particular focus on the impact of Heidegger's essay, 'The Question Concerning Technology';
2) technology and society, which may include, for example, power, environment and/or media;
(3) Transhumanism and Posthumanism;
(4) technology and the Other, including, for example, engagements with questions about theology, artificial intelligence and science fiction.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Learning will be supported through introductory plenary sessions and workshops, particularly in Section 1 of the module. These will include a variety of teaching techniques, such as lectures, student report back/presentations, intensive work on exemplar set texts and group exercises. In sections 2, 3 and 4, the focus will shift to student-led enquiry, with students' determining the specific topics covered in sessions and leading workshops in which their presentations will introduce other students to the topics. These taught sessions will focus on skills of searching for, identifying, evaluating and analysing appropriate sources. Once the individual project is defined and approved guidance on developing that project and on-going support is provided through workshops and tutorials.

The oral presentation will focus on a philosophical analysis of a particular type of technology or technological innovation. Students will be encouraged to make extensive and reflexive use of technology in the presentation, for example, through the production of videos, online spaces and other media.

Workshops/seminars
Hours: 22
Intended Group Size: 25

Small-group tutorials
Hours: 4
Intended Group Size: 5

Guided independent study
Hours: 174

Further details relating to assessment
Directed activities: these consist of weekly tasks that must be completed and submitted for inspection at timetabled sessions each week. The assessment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis with a pass requiring at least 75% of all weekly tasks to be completed successfully. A pass will lead to the full award of 10% towards the final module mark. A fail in directed activities will contribute 0% to the final mark.

Assessment:

001 Independent Study; 2,000 words; End of Semester Two 50%
002 Oral Presentation; 15 Minutes; Throughout Semester Two 50%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level - 5
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 5YL

Click here to go back to previous page