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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Industrial Economics

Revision: 1
Reg.no: BTH-4.1.14-0649-2024


Course syllabus

Technology Development, Digitalisation and Social Change

Technology Development, Digitalisation and Social Change

6 credits (6 högskolepoäng)

Course code: IY1462
Main field of study: Industrial Economics and Management, Technology
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: First-cycle
Specialization: G1N - First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirements

Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2024-07-11
Approved: 2024-07-11

1. Descision

This course is established by Dean 2024-05-27. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Industrial Economics 2024-07-11 and applies from 2024-07-11.

2. Entry requirements

General entry requirements.

3. Objective and content

3.1 Objective

The aim of the course is to develop a comprehensive understanding of technological development, from both a historical and contemporary perspective. An additional aim is to develop the student’s is understanding of how technological development, including digitalization, affects companies, industries, and society at large.

3.2 Content

The course covers the following:

  • Historical overview of major technological shifts and their significance.
  • Digitalization and its impact on companies, industries, and society.
  • The role of information and communication technologies in societal change.
  • Technological development and its relationship to sustainable development.

4. Learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:

4.1. Knowledge and understanding

On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • describe and provide examples of the relationship between technological and societal development
  • describe technological development from a historical perspective
  • provide examples of and describe the drivers behind historical and contemporary technological development
  • explain how digitalization has affected companies, industries, and society at large

4.2. Competence and skills

On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • analyze the effects of technology and digitalization on society at different levels
  • analyze the opportunities of digitalization for sustainable development
  • write and critically review academic reports related to the course content

4.3. Judgement and approach

On completion of the course, the student will be able to:

  • critically reflect on the role of technology in societal development
  • evaluate and analyze the opportunities of digitalization for sustainable development

5. Learning activities

The learning activities in the course mainly consist of lectures and seminars. The teaching is primarily conducted in English, but some elements and literature in Swedish may occur.

6. Assessment and grading

Modes of examinations of the course

Code Module Credit Grade
2510 Oral presentation 1 credits GU
2520 Written Assignment 1 2 credits GU
2530 Written assignment 2 3 credits AF

The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.

The examiner may conduct oral follow-up of written examinations.

The information before the start of the course states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.

An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.

7. Course evaluation

The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.

8. Restrictions regarding degree

The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.

9. Course literature and other materials of instruction

Aghion, P., & Durlauf, S. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of economic growth. volume 2 A Elsevier, North-Holland.

Bessen, J. (2022). The new Goliaths: How corporations use software to dominate industries, kill innovation, and undermine regulation.Yale University Press.

Frank Levy & Richard Murnane (2004) The new division of labor: how computers are creating the next job market, Princeton UniversityPress, Princeton.

Scientific articles of a maximum of 200 pages may be added.

10. Additional information

This course replaces TE1423