EPN-V2

SFV5100 Digital revolution? Social science perspectives on technology in the health and social care sector Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Digital revolusjon? Samfunnsvitenskapelige perspektiv på teknologi i helse- og sosialsektoren
Study programme
Master´s Programme in Health and Technology - Specialisation in Biomedicine
Master´s Programme in Pharmacy
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Study Option International Social Welfare and Health Policy
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

Digitalisation entails a profound transformation of the society we live in and is often referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. But what does digitalisation actually mean in practice?

In this course, students will acquire knowledge and understanding of how technology and digitalisation both influence and are influenced by social conditions. The course will focus on the digitalisation of the welfare state's health and social services, with particular emphasis on service providers and recipients. It will examine how challenges in adopting new technology on the ground are connected to the legal, political, economic, organisational, and material frameworks surrounding digitalisation and the services themselves.

The course will also illustrate how technological development occurs within a historical and societal context: that technologies are embedded in and shaped by heterogeneous networks of people and objects; that technologies are interpretatively flexible; and that technological innovations can benefit some while disadvantaging others, playing a role in both inclusion and exclusion. By following specific health and welfare technologies on their journey from producer to end-user, students will also learn how the interaction between the design of technology, users’ experiences, and fundamental norms in democratic societies influences the implementation process.

Language of instruction is English if students from abroad are enrolled.

Required preliminary courses

None.

Learning outcomes

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

Knowledge

The student has

  • advanced knowledge of the intended and unintended consequences of digitalisation processes
  • in-depth understanding of key societal challenges and opportunities related to the implementation of new technology
  • specialised insight into various theoretical perspectives on technology and digitalisation

Skills

The student can

  • analyse complex development, implementation, and usage processes
  • identify challenges and opportunities in the implementation of specific new technologies
  • apply various analytical strategies to study technology and digitalisation within the welfare state’s health and social services

General Competence

The student can

  • think critically about the development, implementation, regulation, and use of technology
  • understand the role of society in technological development and the role of technology in societal development
  • contribute critically and constructively to change processes where technology is introduced in health and social services

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching takes place with physical attendance on campus, and the learning approach alternates between lectures, student presentations of various texts, group work, and discussions.

Course requirements

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

  • Coursework Requirement 1: Conduct a small-group research project on the topic of technology implementation or digitalisation in the health or social sector. Group size must be between 2 and 5 students. The group is required to deliver a formal oral presentation, jointly presenting the experiences and findings from the mini-survey conducted during the final two weeks of the course. Each student must have contributed actively to the group’s work, and all group members must confirm that every groupsmember has participated and made a meaningful contribution

The required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirement has not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to present an improved version by a given deadline.

Assessment

The exam in the course is an individual semester assignment with a scope of 10 pages (+- 10%). Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1,5. The reference list is not included in the page count.

The semester paper should be written as an essay based on the mini-research project from the coursework requirement. In the essay, the student must apply theory to analyse the findings of the mini-research project.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are permitted, as long as the student complies with the rules for source referencing.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F.

Examiners

Both internal and external examiners are used for the grading of submissions.

A sample of at least 25% of the submissions is assessed by two examiners. The grades from these jointly evaluated submissions serve as the basis for determining the grading level for the remaining submissions.

Course contact person

Erik Børve Rasmussen

Marit Haldar