Subject description MA141

The main aim of this course is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge of ethics and sustainability necessary for responsible innovation and the development of new information technologies (IT) in the modern society. The central topics include the role of ethics in responsible innovation and IT development; information privacy concerns, social, economic, and environmental impacts of innovations and new ITs; and how IT development and innovation can contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In covering ethical and sustainability issues, the course addresses the perspectives of various stakeholders at the individual level (IT developers, innovators, consumers, investors), the organizational level (commercial, public, and non-governmental organizations), and the societal level (local and regional communities, nations, international society). Group work on possible solutions to real-life ethical and sustainability challenges constitutes an essential part of the course.

Knowledge

The student..

• has a fundamental knowledge about central concepts and theories of ethics and sustainability
• has a broad understanding of social, economic, and environmental issues related to innovation and IT development
• has an in-depth knowledge of principles of ethical IT management and responsible innovation

Skills

The student ...

• can select and apply relevant frameworks and tools to analyzing social, economic, and environmental issues related to IT development and innovation
• can identify social, economic, and environmental consequences of a given innovation/IT solution from the perspective of different stakeholders
• can justify their innovation and development choices from a specific ethical standpoint
• can analyze ethical issues related to information privacy concerns in the development of new ITs and innovations, and propose strategies for ensuring responsible and ethical use of personal data.

General competence

The student...

• is able to think and reason critically about contemporary ethical and sustainability frameworks
• can discuss practical challenges associated with current economic and social trends
• is able to view the impact of own professional practice in the light of a wider societal and environmental context

Master of Science in Information Systems: FinTech Business

Master of Science in Information Systems: Management and Innovation

Master of Science in Information Systems: Digital Business Systems

Master of Science in Information Systems: Business Analytics

Master in Cyber Security

Master of Science in Digital Entrepreneurship

Master of Science in Information Systems: Digital Marketing

Master in Immersive Experiences

Master in Human-Computer Interaction

Master in Artificial Intelligence

The classes are taught in an interactive manner. Students are expected to collaborate.

Guest lecturers from the field will be invited

No compulsory activity in this course.

Exam: Individual written home examination

Duration: 4 hours

Grading scale: The Norwegian grading system uses the graded scale A - F, where A is the best grade, E is the lowest pass grade and F is fail

Weighting: 100 % of the overall grade

Support materials: All support materials are allowed

Re-sit exam: 4-hour individual written home examination with a new assignment