course-details-portlet

KULT2204

STS: Signs and Objects

Credits 15
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Autumn 2025
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Aggregate score

About

About the course

Course content

This course focuses on how artifacts/technology and society is developed in co-dependency and thus how they change. A series of concrete examples from the 20th century is used to emphasize this. In this vein the course covers the relationship between innovation and design, consumption, the relationship between art, architecture and technological change and the interaction between science, technology and environment.

Learning outcome

Students of this course have knowledge of:

  • central paths of development of the Norwegian and international scientific history
  • important developments and discussions related to Norwegian and international environmental policy
  • processes of innovation with focus on users, consumption and large technological systems
  • the development of modern consumerism and the relationship between product development, design and use of artifacts and technologies

Students of this course are skilled at:

  • analyzing controversies related to science and technology
  • analyzing how technology and science enters into processes of cultural change
  • analyzing ethical problems regarding science, technology, nature, environment and culture
  • gain knowledge of certain issues and communicate insights in different formats

Learning methods and activities

Group based teaching. One mandatory task.

The exam is in assignment form: It consists of one shorter exam assignment (constituting 20% of the total grade) and one longer exam assignment due towards the end of the semester (constituting 80% of the total grade). To qualify to sit the final exam, the mandatory course assignment must be approved.

The assignments can be delivered individually or as a group.

Compulsory assignments

  • One mandatory task

Further on evaluation

The course has two exams: one written assignment that counts for 20% of the final grade and a home exam that counts for 80% the grade. To pass the course, both exams must be passed.

The home exam can be delivered individually or as a group assignment

In case of illness or a grade of F on the shorter assignment, a resit exam will be organized before the final exam.

The student cannot appeal the grade before the total grade for both exams is announced.

Students who have completed the mandatory activity will have the opportunity to repeat or resit the exam whether or not the course is taught that semester. In a semester when the course is taught, both exams must be passed. In a semester when the course is not taught, there will only be one exam which will count for 100% of the grade.

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Will be given at the start of the course.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
KULT2203 7.5 sp Spring 2006
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Science and Technology Studies
  • History
  • Media Studies
  • Social Studies

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture

Examination

Examination

Grade: Letter grades

Examination arrangement: Aggregate score

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Home examination
Weighting 80/100 Date Release 2025-11-21
Submission 2025-11-28
Time Release 09:00
Submission 14:00
Duration 1 weeks Exam system Inspera Assessment
Assignment
Weighting 20/100 Date Submission 2025-10-01 Time Submission 14:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment

Examination arrangement: Assignment (resit)

Re-sit examination - Spring 2026

Assignment (resit)
Weighting 100/100 Exam system Inspera Assessment