Course content

The course focuses on ethical considerations, societal impacts, and privacy/data protection concerns inherent in the sustainable advancement of technology. It gives an in-depth understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks governing data privacy, equipping students with the knowledge to navigate through the complexities of data protection, to learn to navigate complex ethical dilemmas that may arise while handling sensitive and personal information and to get the skills needed to be able to develop strategies for maintaining data privacy and protection in daily life and work situations. Other covered topics include hands-on ethics in privacy and data protection, societal impacts of data practices, economic implications and surveillance capitalism, ethical decision-making and data management, interactive ethics and data protection principles, sustainable data-driven innovation.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge: Students will:

• Acquire a comprehensive understanding of terminology specific to data ethics, privacy, data protection, and sustainability in a modern data-driven society.
• Learn about the ethical challenges associated with the use of personal information and big data, including issues of consent, transparency, accountability, security, and societal impact.
• Gain insight into the ethical considerations and the delicate balance between competitive advantages and societal impact when using personal information.
• Acquire an in-depth understanding of legal and regulatory aspects surrounding privacy and data protection, including the latest regulations like GDPR, data transfer rules, and compliance measures.
• Learn to formulate and implement "ethical by design", "privacy-by-design", and "data protection by design" strategies that tailored to various organizational and societal contexts.
• Develop an understanding of how IT innovation contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the importance of ethical practices in achieving these goals.
• Understand the diverse perspectives of various stakeholders including individuals, organizations, and society in ethical and sustainable IT practices.

B. Skills: Students will be able to:

• Enhance analytical skills to critically evaluate real-world scenarios and case studies related to ethical dilemmas, data privacy, and sustainability in IT.
• Develop the ability to apply ethical principles to complex problems, creating effective and responsible solutions in the field of data privacy and protection.
• Identify and apply relevant legal and regulatory knowledge in practical situations for compliance and ethical data management.
• Develop and implement comprehensive data governance and ethics strategies based on ethical, privacy, and data protection by design principles in technology development.
• Cultivate the ability to make informed decisions regarding the ethical collection, storage, and usage of data.

C. General competence: Students will enhance communication and teamwork skills through group work and discussions, essential for addressing and resolving ethical and sustainability challenges. They will also gain preparedness to understand and cope with the ethical challenges of tomorrow’s data driven society, both independently and in teams.

The course contributes to the following UN sustainable development goals:

• SDG 4 (Target 4.4): The course provides comprehensive education on data ethics, privacy, and protection, aiming to foster a new generation of professionals equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex ethical challenges in data-driven environments. By offering practical skills, hands-on workshops, and interdisciplinary projects, it ensures inclusive and equitable education, helping participants become leaders in ethical technology use.
• SDG 9: Through a focus on data governance frameworks, privacy by design and sustainable data practices, the course empowers participants to integrate ethical considerations into technological innovations. This aligns with the goal of building resilient infrastructure and fostering sustainable industrialization. By educating participants on how to balance innovation with ethical data practices, it supports the development of a more responsible tech ecosystem.
• SDG 11: By equipping participants with skills to protect data privacy and navigate regulatory landscapes, the course supports the creation of safe and sustainable digital environments within urban and regional contexts. This contributes to making cities and human settlements more inclusive and secure, especially as data-driven solutions become integral to smart city initiatives and public services.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, guest lectures and seminar discussions with practical case assignments and group tasks and exercises.

Compulsory assignments

• Oral presentation of the project work

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

No specific prerequisites required

Course materials

To be announced at the beginning of the term.