Modules

Core Module Information
Module title: Technoculture & Society
SCQF level: 09:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: CSI09105
Module leader: Ashley Morton
School School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Applied Informatics
Prerequisites

Requisites: AND Pre-requisite: Foundation level understanding of user experience.
Description of module content:

In this module you will develop a holistic understanding of the impact and influence of technology culture within society. You will undertake a creative journey that connects the past, the present and the future as a means to understand the experiences and perceptions people have towards technology. You will generate design fictions with a focus to the future and emerging technologies, using research through design approaches, cultural probes and design anthropology. The aim of this module will be to broaden critical thinking and to be comfortable with ambiguity as you research, ideate and innovate. Finally, you will develop a professional competence that understands the importance of influence, integrity, and responsibility to the process of design.
Learning Outcomes for module:

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Demonstrate a critical understanding of design research methodologies as a means to get comfortable with ‘in the wild’ research and design ambiguity.

LO2: Document applied understanding and empathy by journaling and reflecting on the impact technology has in society and how it affects people.

LO3: Demonstrate skills and competencies that display knowledge of design responsibility, ethics (emerging tech/robots) and environmental impact.

LO4: Design a speculative concept artefact that reflects an unmet need by a selected demographic.
Full Details of Teaching and Assessment
2025/6, Trimester 2, Blended,
VIEW FULL DETAILS
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Blended
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Ashley Morton
Module Organiser:


Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)NESH Description
Face To Face Lecture 20 Students will have weekly 2 hour lectures. The lectures will introduce students to theories relating to technology and its influence on individuals, communities and society. The influence of these technological and cultural shifts in terms of design responsibilities, ethics and environmental impact alongside speculative design & design fictions will be covered. Students will be encouraged to contribute to discussions in class to help develop understanding.
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 20 Practical classes and workshops utilising a range of paper based activities and digital based activities. Practical classes will allow students to focus on applying methods covered during lecture sessions in practice. Students will get an opportunity to develop skills in reflective practice and visual design & dissemination in order to apply these skills to the assessments. Each weekly session will also provide students opportunities for formative feedback on ideas.
Online Guided independent study 160 Guided independent study including reading week and revision week. Students will have essential and recommended readings following each lecture to further expand on content covered and aid independent study. A variety of additional online resources will also be available to match the diversity of learning styles including reading materials, short online videos, and other online resources.
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words Description
Reflective Log 50 1~2 Week 8 , WORDS= 2000 words This assessment will require students to combine reflective journalling with cultural probes to demonstrate evidence of both LO1 & LO2, through visual and written dissemination. Students will be expected to select 4 topics from options presented at the start of the module and produce a critical reflective writing piece alongside a visual cultural probe for each of the 4 topics selected. Visual probes can be in a variety of formats to accommodate for diversity of learning styles.
Project - Practical 50 3~4 Exam Period HOURS= 50 hours CW2 will design a speculative conceptual artefact and associated design fiction. Students will be asked to research & report on a topic central to the module, supplementing course materials with their own findings from relevant literature, and design theory. Students will be encouraged to creatively express the project output in the form of a speculative conceptual artefact as a deliverable that displays critical understanding of an unmet need by a selected demographic. Students will be expected to present their project during a 5 minute oral presentation and are allowed a maximum of 10 supplementary appendix slides to ensure all aspects included in the assessment brief are covered.
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
CSI09105 Technoculture & Society
 

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