From complexity to clarity
Module details
- Offered to 2nd Years
- Mondays 16.00-18.00
- Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
- Two-term module, worth 5 ECTS
- Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
- Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
Known by many names - the digital world, cyberspace, metaverse - for three decades it has swept across sectors and countries, transforming them as it goes. We all know it when we see it. Part hype, part reality, we can almost certainly be sure it will extend to more areas of our lives. However, which part is hype, and which is reality? Given how the digital world dominates economies, organisations, culture and society it is surprisingly under-researched. As such, within this module, you will develop and use a combination of design thinking, critical analysis, research, and entrepreneurialism, to develop a global picture of how our lives, work and economies have already changed due to digital technology, and how we can shape our digital future.
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year.
Information blocks
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Examine key concepts across multiple academic specialisms.
- Explore concepts using self-directed primary and secondary research.
- Integrate concepts studied, research, and feedback received.
- Communicate relevant academic concepts and findings in at least two formats.
This module takes a global, analytical approach to studying digital transformations in sectors, organisations and society. Topics will fit into four categories: economics and finance; technology and its impact; organisations and systems; culture and society. Skills you’ll develop include introductory data analytics, use of artificial intelligence tools, design thinking, user experience, ethics and aspects of futurology, all transferrable to most sectors. You will also develop a strong appreciation of the real-world underpinnings of the digital world.
This module is designed to develop your skills and confidence as an independent analyst and researcher. In terms of assessment, it builds in complexity from an essay chosen from a set list, to a presentation on a subject of your choice, to a final written project on that subject.
Most classes include discussion time, including organised group discussions around both pre-set and in-class reading. Sometimes you will be in self-selected groups, and sometimes you will be randomised groups in order to attain better group cohesion. Some summative assessment project work will be conducted in class and with module leader contributions. In some classes we undertake paired/group activities such as source identification, research in secondary literature, and presentation of findings to fellow students and the module leader. We will also use digital tools such as Mentimeter and Padlet in both live learning and private study.
This module uses a suitable VLE for submission of summative assessments, through which your feedback will be delivered. Feedback from your first essay, in term 1, will be designed to feed into your term 2 assessments. Given that your presentation and second essay form part of the same project, feedback on your presentation will aid you both in your presentation skills as well as developing your final written project.
- Coursework: Essay - 1200-1500 words (30%)
- Coursework: Individual 5-minute presentation (15%)
- Coursework: Essay - 1500-2000 words (55%)
- Requirements: You are expected to attend all classes and undertake approximately 85 hours of independent study in total during the module. Independent study includes reading and preparation for classes, researching and writing coursework assignments and preparing for other assessments.
- This module is designed as an undergraduate Level 5 module. For an explanation of levels, view the Imperial Horizons Level Descriptors page.
"This module offers exotic material! At this point in time, everything is perfect."
"I'm envious of this year’s cohort as I would love to do the course all over again."
"the module is extremely interesting and the flexibility of it makes it so much better. In an ever changing digital world, a module on digital must not, in my opinion, follow a rigid path but rather adapt to the news. I would not change anything."
"Extremely eye-opening module and well-designed."
"Everything on this module is almost perfect. Dr. Weatherburn is fantastic teacher."
"Very stimulating as class discussions allow for different opinions."
"I thoroughly enjoyed writing the essay, as well as attending your series of fascinating lectures! The ideas and approaches you introduced us to will certainly stay with me for a long time."
Got any questions?
Contact the lecturer
Dr Michael Weatherburn
michael.weatherburn@imperial.ac.uk