This interdisciplinary Academic Horizons module introduces Year 1 students to the ways in which technologies shape, and are shaped by, society, culture, identity, everyday life and ethical decision-making. It asks how technologies such as social media, artificial intelligence, smartphones, platforms, algorithms, data systems and smart cities influence the way people learn, work, communicate, consume, build relationships and understand themselves, as well as how these technologies shape societies and drive global trends. Students will explore technology not simply as a set of tools, but as part of social systems involving human choices, cultural values, institutions, markets and ethical questions. This module will be co-delivered by the five departments within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences: Applied Linguistics, China Studies, International Studies, Literary and Translation Studies, and Media and Communication. Students will be introduced to disciplinary perspectives from each department, giving them a chance to think critically about everyday technologies they already use while developing analytical skills relevant to HSS-related fields. The Academic Horizons module supports transition into English-medium university learning by developing analytical, communicative, and intercultural skills through collaborative inquiry and reflective discussion. The module is suitable for students from a wide range of disciplinary pathways who wish to develop comparative, intercultural, and discussion-based approaches to exploring contemporary social questions. All students are welcome to take this module, regardless of their intended degree selection. This module is aligned with the Semester 1 LIFE Exploratory Inquiry Spine. LIFE-led or LIFE-supported sessions will address: becoming a university learner; asking an investigable question; evidence and academic credibility; responsible AI-supported inquiry; systems thinking and problem framing; communication of an emerging idea; comparison of disciplinary ways of thinking; working with uncertainty and feedback; ethics, sustainability and human-centred judgement; collaboration and contribution; and final Academic Pathway Alignment. These sessions are not separate from the module. They provide the developmental and project-learning structure through which students complete the module’s exploratory scientific inquiry task.
A Analyse how digital technologies shape everyday social and cultural practices in an academic manner. B Identify and compare different disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches to analysing technology-society relationship. C Reflect critically on their own role as users, consumers and participants in digital society
This module will be taught as a 2-hour lecture/seminar block, that will include lectures, discussion, group work, and digitally-enhanced engagement. This configuration will give students the opportunity to engage with both conceptual grounding and inquiry-driven practice in a flexible manner, in order to facilitate the consolidation of concepts and offer multiple opportunities for debate, discussion, and collaboration. This formation will allow students to build transferable skills through project-based learning, whilst also exploring the content and perspectives of HSS. Both in-class activities and non-class learning will be supplemented with use of digital technology, including Generative AI, in a structured manner. The module is co-delivered with LIFE through the common Semester 1 Academic Horizons spine. School staff provide the scientific context, challenge framing, disciplinary credibility, and assessment of the academic project output. LIFE staff support the inquiry process, responsible AI/digital practice, teamwork, reflection, feedback use, and pathway alignment activities.