Data, Power and Ethics

The course deals with critical and ethical issues arising from the use and interpretation of data in academic and organisational contexts. It blends social and historical perspectives with case examples to help students develop a workable understanding of current ethical issues in data analysis. Students are acquainted with discourses concerning bias in socio-technical systems, algorithmic openness and accountability, ideologies of data, information asymmetries and the current political economy of data. Frameworks, concepts, and theories as well as professional guidelines are introduced in order for the students to appreciate the perspectives of multiple actors involved in data analysis and understand how data are socially constructed. A central concern of the course is how the benefits of data analysis can be mobilised beyond notions of efficiency, automation and rationalisation in order to advance a more democratic and sustainable development of society.

Progressive specialisation: G1F (has less than 60 credits in first‐cycle course/s as entry requirements)

Education level: Undergraduate level

Admission requirements: Registered for MKGB90 Technical Foundations of Digital Media and Digital Design 15 ECTS cr and MKGB91 Digital Analysis Methods 15 ECTS cr, or equivalent

Selection:

Selection is usually based on your grade point average from upper secondary school or the number of credit points from previous university studies, or both.

This course is included in the following programme

• Media and Communication: Digital Media and Analysis (studied during year 2)