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MIS20070

Academic Year 2025/2026

Digital Society (MIS20070)

Subject:
Management Information Systems
College:
Business
School:
Business
Level:
2 (Intermediate)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Professor Donncha Kavanagh
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module offers a critical examination of contemporary issues and emerging trends in the digital society. It is grounded in the premise that today’s most influential information technologies function as global digital infrastructures—such as the Internet and the World Wide Web—rather than as isolated systems within individual organisations or businesses. The module explores the defining characteristics of these infrastructures, their implications for both public and private sectors, and the distinctive challenges they pose, including cybercrime and cybersecurity, due to their global reach and cross-jurisdictional complexities. In addition, the module investigates the socio-technical dynamics of derivative technologies built upon these infrastructures—specifically platforms, algorithms, blockchains, and artificial intelligence (AI). It analyses how these technologies give rise to novel phenomena and organisational forms, such as digital currencies and Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs). A central component of the module is a group project in which students will typically use Generative AI to envision and articulate alternative future digital societies.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completing this module students should be able to:
* Demonstrate a good understanding of some of the practices, challenges, and opportunities characterising the digital society.
* See companies and other organizations in the context of the broader digital society in which they operate.
* Understand the role of technology in this context.
* Understand how major blockchains work.
* Be able to recognise the most common cybersecurity threats.
* Demonstrate enhanced communication skills in writing and presenting
* Demonstrate enhanced skills in working collaboratively.
* Develop interactive websites and Python applications (using AI if necessary)


Indicative Module Content:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Blockchains
Crypto
Bitcoin
Ethereum
Decentralised Autonomous Organisations (DAOs)
Cybercrime and cybersecurity
Global information systems
Digital Infrastructures
Platforms and platform capitalism

NB: These themes may change.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

76
Lectures

24
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Group work
Independent study and inquiry
Reading
Peer evaluation

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
Exam (In-person): Terminal examination. Set of multiple choice questions. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No
66
 No
Group Work Assignment: Group project (groups of 4 or 5 typically) Week 9 Graded No
34
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Group project feedback: just-in-time guidance and post-assessment peer review. Inter-group and Intra-group peer review. Terminal examination feedback: Available as per normal university procedures.

Name Role
Dr Paul Dylan-Ennis Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Gianluca Miscione Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 2 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Mon 16:00 - 17:50
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