Vulnerability and Technological Development (BYS210)

The purpose of the course is to give students a basic understanding of social science theories about technological development, as well as how technological development processes can contribute to a more efficient and safer society, but also new threats and risks. The course will also give the students an introduction to security challenges in specific technology areas such as ICT, infrastructure and the oil industry, as well as how the authorities can meet and handle these challenges through various measures.


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

BYS210

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Spring

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Spring

Language of instruction

Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course covers theories about technological development, vulnerability and social security. Themes are how societal factors affect technological development, and how technological change contributes to creating various societal-related security challenges. The course will address vulnerability challenges related to specific technology areas such as ICT, infrastructure and the oil business. The course will also look at various management and regulatory challenges linked to technological development, as well as how these can be met through various forms of regulatory measures.

The course specifically addresses the following general topics:

  • societal factors that influence technological development
  • sociological theories that can explain technological change
  • how technological development can change old and create new threats and risks
  • participation, regulation and management challenges in technological development

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

After completing the course, students are expected to have knowledge of:

  • various social science perspectives and concepts that can be used to understand and analyze technological development
  • the interaction between technologies and society
  • key characteristics of technologies that contribute to increasing or reducing vulnerability and risk in society
  • dilemmas in the development and use of technology in relation to vulnerability and risk
  • management challenges and regulatory opportunities in the development of various technologies

Skills

After completing the course, students must:

  • be able to analyze how different aspects of technological change processes and technologies can contribute to different forms of vulnerabilities and society-related security challenges
  • be able to analyze how such security challenges can be met and handled through various instruments for managing and regulating technology and technological change processes
  • be able to present issues and topics related to technological development in the form of oral and written presentations

General competence

After completing the course, students are expected to have general competence in:

  • to understand and analyze technological change processes using social concepts and theory.
  • to understand how technological change can contribute to new security challenges, and how the authorities can meet these through various measures and forms of regulation.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written exam 1/1 5 Hours Letter grades

Written digital exam in Inspera.

Coursework requirements

There is one compulsory group presentation/group-assignment in the course, which must be approved in order to get access to the exam in the course.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Henrik Kvadsheim

Course teacher:

Preben Hempel Lindøe

Head of Department:

Tore Markeset

Method of work

Lectures, group work, discussions, alternating submissions and compulsory group presentations by students

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Vulnerability and technological development (BSA240_1) 10

Open for

Students enrolled in the "Bachelor's programme for Urban Planning and Social Security", students in the bachelor's programmes for political science, as well as students at the Faculty of Science and Technology at UiS who have been admitted to a security-related bachelor's programme.

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

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