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IS41770

Academic Year 2025/2026

Future Tech: Speculation and Information Technology (IS41770)

Subject:
Information Studies
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Information & Comms Studies
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr James Steinhoff
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Information technology is oriented towards the future, whether in terms of industry-driven hype or speculations about a coming apocalypse, dystopia or utopia, these technologies compel us to look forward. This module focuses on so-called "deep" information technologies, or technologies which modify the material world in a profound way, in ways we would not typically think of computers being able. Consider that information technologies now allow us to build nanomachines invisible to the human eye. Drawing on sociological theoretical frameworks from media studies, political economy , science and technology studies and foresight, this module aims to develop a critical understanding of these futuristic technologies, to determine to what degree they actually exist today, and how they are already implicated in our societies. It will enable students to critically engage with an influence the technological future.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the course students will be able to demonstrate:

1) A critical understanding of the concept of "deep tech"
2) A familiarity with a range of cutting-edge and speculative technologies
3) Capability for reasoning about emerging technological systems
4) Advanced understanding of the social implications of deep tech
5) A capacity for intervening cogently in the future of technology

Indicative Module Content:

Critical social science research on deep/emerging information technologies including:
Nanotechnology
Molecular Assembly
Robotics
Artificial intelligence
Blockchain
Genetic engineering
Quantum computing
Simulation
Space exploration

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Autonomous Student Learning

201
Total

225

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will use a combination of lectures, case studies, peer group discussion and group presentations.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Midterm essay Week 8 Graded No
30
 No
Group Work Assignment: Presentation and report Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final essay Week 12 Graded No
50
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

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