Time & Venue
Tuesday 10am – 2pm (beginning on Tuesday 18/09/2018).
Universität St. Gallen, Room 58-022, Tellstrasse 2.

Course Description
This seminar treats the emergence of modern information technologies in the second half of the 20th century. Particular focus will be laid on the impact that digital technologies had on the development of science after WWII, and on their relevance for current scientific research. Along with the historical background of the digital revolution, students will also be introduced to theoretical concepts such as ʺscientific paradigmʺ and ʺscientific revolutionʺ, as well as to the basics of information theory. The goal of the course is to develop a historically well‑informed reflective stance on the role and impact of digital technology on knowledge production in modern societies.

Course Structure
Seminar sessions are held weekly on Tuesdays from 10‑14h. The course is divided in two main parts. The first half of the course will be dedicated to the conceptual basics of the digital revolution. Technical terms like ʺscientific revolutionʺ, ʺparadigm changeʺ, ʺtechno‑economic paradigm shiftsʺ, ʺKondratieff wavesʺ and others will be introduced and discussed. In the second half of the course, four focus topics related to the digital revolution will be investigated in‑depth. Each student will  engage in group work on one of the following topics:

1) Societal Challenges of Artificial Intelligence
2) Digitalization and Democracy
3) Big Data Technologies in Social Science
4) Digital Warfare

Contact
Dr. Karim Bschir
karim.bschir@unisg.ch
www.karimbschir.org