Sociology and Criminology

Digital Societies

Module code: L4080A
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture
Assessment modes: Portfolio

This module critically explores how contemporary societies are being shaped by digital technologies. It will place the emergence of ‘the digital’ in historical perspective and examine its relationship to a number of historic and contemporary inequalities.

You’ll draw on contemporary sociological theories to explore digital technologies both as:

• ‘socially shaped’ by dominant norms and assumptions
• technical objects that transform our social world.

Across the module, you’ll investigate a range of contemporary debates regarding:

• digital infrastructures
• social media networks
• algorithms & AI.

You’ll do this to assess how digital technologies impact core sociological issues, especially questions of race, class and gender.

Module learning outcomes

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of sociological and other perspectives on different aspects of digital societies
• Critically explore debates about the impact of digital technologies on core sociological issues (race, gender, class, etc.)
• Assimilate and evaluate evidence from studies of digital societies which is relevant to digital sociology
• Make appropriate use of empirical data and theoretical work on digital societies to produce coherent and detailed written work for an academic audience