This course will provide students with a multi-disciplinary understanding of (1) the impact of the digital society on individuals,

organisations and society as a whole, (2) the main issues and challenges of the digital society. It will prepare students to be active citizens in a digital society and contribute to related debates. Examples of topics to be covered include:
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Digital Divide: The growing digital divide, including the rural-urban divide, the age divide, accessibility risks for people with disabilities, problems for developing countries Interpersonal Relations in the Digital Society: The changing nature of interpersonal relationships in light of social networking sites (Facebook, Flickr, MySpace) and new communication means (text messaging, online-messaging). The culture and consequences of having a second life. Identity and impression management Rights in the Digital Society: Freedom of expression and privacy. Civil rights in a digital society. Ownership in a digital world (e.g. rights to music, Flickr photos, YouTube videos). Cyber-crime, cyber-terrorism and cyber-bullying. Security for the digital society. Information credibility and authority in a Web2.0 world (e.g. Wikipedia) Impact of the Digital Society: How digital technology has changed the way we do business (e.g. Amazon, e-Bay, I-Tunes) and the way the markets work. The potential of and issues in using digital technology for Health, Education, Entertainment, Transport, Science and Governance. Digital behaviour intervention: how technology may encourage people to live more healthily and sustainably. The environmental impacts of a digital society