A degreelooking at the social impact
and role of IT will be launched next year by De Montfort University
in Leicester.
From September 2008, the BA (Hons) course in society and
information will explore the role of IT in society, and the impact
that technologies such as social networking and mobile
communications have on society. It will also look at the ethical
and legal implications of using information.
Course modules include investigation and problem solving,
computer ethics and professional responsibility, regulations and
law in the information society, the social context of IT, and
e-commerce.
The degree will make use of research conducted into the social
and moral impacts of IT by De Montfort's Centre for Computing and
Social Responsibility.
Course leader, Steve McRobb, said the course will prepare
students for a broad range of careers.
"The management of information is regarded as one of the major
challenges for both public and private organisations.
"Employers increasingly want graduates who can think laterally
and who can articulate a concept. Students on this degree will draw
on a range of disciplines to understand different ways of
interpreting and using information," he said.
McRobb said the course would provide a new way of looking at
technology and its effects.
"Our aim is to produce graduates who are confident in working
across discipline boundaries to explore and evaluate the impact of
new technologies on work and social life," he said.