Course content

Technology permeates modern societies for better or worse. Faced by the problems of balancing the vices and virtues, various scholars have called for a rethinking of prevailing ideals of just and desirable technology development. This course aims at qualifying the participant’s ability to understand, evaluate and participate in these debates. We shall do so by pursuing questions like: How has technology traditionally been legitimised? How has the dynamical relationships between science, technology and society been modelled? Are there any novel challenges of technology assessment in our time? By entering various cases and technology controversies we shall simultaneously discuss and evaluate implications of various answers given to these questions.

Learning outcome

The students will be provided with an overview of current normative theories on technology developments.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and plenary discussions. Attendance (80%) must be approved in order for the student to take the exam. One compulsory supervision on essay is required. Information regarding the essay: Front page must contain course code, date and student id. The essay should be 10-12 pages long in 12 point Times New Roman, 1,5 line spacing. Date of submission will be announced.

Compulsory assignments

• One supervision on the essay and 80% attendence in lectures and seminars.

Recommended previous knowledge

Addmitted to the Erasmus Mundus programme "Master in Applied Ethics".

Required previous knowledge

Basic knowledge in either ethics or a field of technology. Students of technology could for instance take the course as an “ikke-teknologisk emne”.

Course materials

The curriculum/reading list is available from the Department office.