Course content

What is communication? A survey of media components (voice, music, video, text graphics, games). What is meant by a communication system architecture? Sample systems and services like the mobile communications system GSM with telephony and SMS services and the Internet with services like WWW and E-mail. Advanced services include e-commerce, location services and video transfer. How to counter threats like eaves-dropping, false messages, viruses, masquerading and sabotage.

Learning outcome

A. Knowledge: 1) To provide a basic understanding of how communication technology works, 2) To get a basic understanding of how communication technology is used as building blocks for the information and communication services for "e-society", 3) To provide a basic understanding of the challenges facing society in terms of security and vulnerability, 4) To provide a basic understanding of how to meet challenges with regard to society's security and vulnerability. C. General competence: 1) Knowing that communications technology is an important part of community infrastructure, 2) Knowing that communications technology can help solve social tasks.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and exercises. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Project
• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is aimed at students from the Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology Management, but can also be attended by others.

Required previous knowledge

Participation requires no prior education in communication technology.

Course materials

J Kurose and K Ross: Computer Networking, A Top-Down Approach Featuring the Internet. Addison-Wesley.
Thomas Hylland Erikssen: Øyeblikkets Tyranni. Rask og langsom tid i informasjonsalderen. Aschehoug, 2001.