Technology and the Human (L4123)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll explore the human as a social construct, shaped through its relationship to technology.

You’ll study:

• the social construction of humanity
• this construction’s relationship to technology through a historical perspective
• the raced, classed and gendered dynamics that have shaped what it means to be human.

You’ll also use social theories to explore how technologies have contributed to a shift from the human to the posthuman, particularly through the cyborg. You’ll pair theory with case studies, including:

• the Luddites of the 19th century
• recent automation anxieties about AI
• recent attempts to use humans as ‘digital sensors’ to sense their environment.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• Criminology BA
• Criminology and Sociology BA
• Criminology with Psychology BA
• History and Sociology BA
• International Relations and Sociology BA
• Philosophy and Sociology BA
• Politics and Sociology BA
• Sociology BA
• Sociology and International Development BA
• Sociology with a Language BA