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SP52121: AI as social and political practice: technology, society and politics

[Page last updated: 15 August 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: Department of Social & Policy Sciences
Credits: 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 100
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • SP52090 Independent research essay (CWES 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit, you will have in-depth understanding of the parameters of debates around the development, emergence and adoption of (digital) technologies. You will have advanced critical understanding of the distinctiveness of AI as a specific technological development and its implications for political economy, politics and social practices. You will have advanced critical understanding of how these implications are reflected in, or challenged by, the adoption of AI, machine-learning and robotics in specific empirical cases.


Synopsis: Explore and evaluate key theoretical and political debates around the development, emergence and adoption of (digital) technologies in social and political practice. You'll study AI, machine-learning and robotics in relation to these debates, and: - assess their distinctiveness as specific technological developments - contemporary challenges - questions they pose for political, social and economic relationships You'll apply what you learn to real-world case examples.

Content: The unit is organized as follows: Introduction to the unit: technology as social and political practices CONTEXTS & THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES 2: Machines, monsters and the social world 3: Learning machines and digital personhood 4. Political economy & power in digital environment IMPLICATIONS 5: Political economy and automation 6: Politics in the online information environment 7: Digital statehood and algorithmic rule 8: Citizenship, new technologies, and the idea of `the public(s)' APPLICATIONS Weeks 9-11: Students prepare presentations on key applications/case examples of AI/ML/robotics. Cases will vary year-on-year, but are likely to include some of the following: courts & criminal justice; migration & humanitarian governance; social media and digital life; drones/security technology; digital propaganda, fake news. 12: Conclusion: overview and preparation for final assessment

Course availability:

SP52121 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies

SP52121 is Optional on the following courses:

Department of Social & Policy Sciences

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
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