ERGOB1070 Technology and Society Course description

The language is normally English.

Technologies, from the stone axe to the computer, have been integral in shaping how we live, think, interact, and work. Advances in digitalization have made digital competences a significant factor in ensuring the employability of candidates in all professions vital to our society. Understanding the benefits, the limitations, and the transformative power of technologies on public and private life as well as professional practice is crucial.

In this course, students will acquire the basic knowledge needed to harness the potential of digital technologies and identify opportunities to use technology to foster inclusion, active participation, and sustainability in society and the workplace. Through individual reflection, shared exploration and group discussions, students will gain awareness of how technological developments might impact their future professions, and their role as citizens in an increasingly digitalized society.

This course will provide students with the foundational knowledge and means to become a responsible agent of change in their own profession and field of study. Students will learn to recognise limitations, strengths and potentially disruptive consequences of technological innovation and grapple with the social, ethical, and political issues that arise as technology becomes both increasingly complex and essential to the function of society.

No additional course-specific requirements.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Upion successful completion of this course the student understands:

• basic concepts, mechanisms, and tools behind digitalization
• how digitalization shapes public and private life
• the role of technological innovation and development in equity and justice, sustainable development, and civic engagement
• how technological infrastructures shape and support society and the welfare state.

Skills

Upon successful completion of this course the student can:

• apply critical and analytical strategies to evaluate and critically discuss the possibilities and challenges of existing and potential technologies
• reflect on social, ethical, and political consequences of technological change
• provide examples of local and global technological disparity, both in general terms, and in relation to their field of study
• analyse and interpret the processes by which information and disinformation is distinguished, disseminated and used in different contexts.
• identify and discuss central sustainability challenges with digital technologies

General Competence

Upon successful completion of this course the student can:

• discuss ethical, social, and political challenges arising at the intersection of technology and society
• understand how digitalisation and digital technologies facilitate and shape interdisciplinary collaboration
• examine contemporary, real-world cases from multiple perspectives
• evaluate the potential impact of new technologies and digitalization processes on an individual and societal level
• understand the importance of user-oriented perspectives in the use and development of technology
• communicate concepts and models related to the use of technology in a structured manner.

The course uses a blended learning approach, with a combination of attendance-based seminars and digital learning materials. Students will explore real-world cases emerging at the intersection of society, technology and their future profession.

English will be the primary language of communication.

None

Occupational therapy is based on the premise that occupation and participation in daily life is of great importance to people’s health and quality of life. Theory will be introduced that sheds light on the connection between the person, occupation and the environment. This course takes its point of departure in occupational science, activity analysis and the importance of the surrounding environment. The course includes a coursework requirement that is common for all occupational therapy programmes in Norway related to activity analysis.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is capable of

• explaining the aims of activity analysis in occupational therapy
• explaining forms of activity and how they are influenced by their environment
• explaining the occupational therapy field’s development and significance in society
• describing the following occupational therapy models that elucidate the connections between persons, occupation and the environment
• explaining how everyday activities, roles and culture influence health and occupational identity
• explaining the connection between habits, occupational balance, health and quality of life
• explaining principles for good communication and the significance of communication in occupational therapy practice

Skills

The student is capable of

• carrying out analysis of forms of activity in a chosen context with a tool for activity analysis
• using analysis of forms of activities to identify factors that promote and prevent occupational performance
• discussing the material, physical, social and cultural importance of the environment for occupation and participation and applying the principles of universal design
• using literature searches and of correct source referencing

General competence

The student

• is process and goal oriented when cooperating on group assignments
• is capable of applying a creative design process to solve in occupational therapy assignments

Work and teaching methods comprise skills training in activity analysis, project work on universal design, lectures and seminars with case-based teaching and creative design. The course also comprises a short introductory three-day period of practical training with an occupational therapist. The students work individually and in groups.

Individual written assignment to be prepared during the course period, maximum 2000 words. The assignment text will be available to the students from the beginning of the course.

Resit exam: The student will have the opportunity to rework the assignment that has been awarded an F (fail) once.