Technology, Power and the Future of Humanity

In what ways can technological innovations contribute to the work with and for sustainability? Which technological and human future scenarios are probable and desirable? The course introduces idea-historical backgrounds and historical and current examples of the relationships between society and technology. Different themes, such as artificial intelligence, high and low-tech climate technologies, gender and intersectional perspectives, health and access to medical technologies, and social media technologies, among others, are used to highlight and critically discuss how technologies are connected to sustainability. The course process also focuses on the interdisciplinary dialogue where technological, and natural scientific perspectives meet philosophical, power, political, critical and cultural perspectives. Guest lectures, seminars, literature and examination aim to create reflection and a better understanding of our relationship to our surrounding technological world. The course is offered at CEMUS, Centre for Environment and Development Studies, in a student-led educational model where students actively contribute to shaping the courses and their content, creating a student-centred learning environment.