Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
The Impact of Digital Technologies on Democracy
Course Code
SZF_106
Branch of Science
-
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Communication Science; Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Edgars Koroņevskis
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
Developing an understanding of the role of digital technologies in democratic processes: analyzing how the internet, social media, and other digital platforms influence political debates, election processes, and forms of civic participation.
Developing critical thinking: encouraging students to critically assess the positive and negative aspects of digital technologies, including disinformation, "fake news", data privacy, and the digital divide.
Enhancing analytical skills: developing students' analytical abilities by studying various examples of the impact of digital technologies on democratic processes in different countries, especially in Europe.
Understanding of political technologies: providing students with knowledge about the development of political technologies and how they are used in political campaigns and governance.
Understanding of civic participation in the digital environment: training students to understand and promote effective civic participation using digital technologies.
Preliminary Knowledge
To successfully complete this course, students should have the following prior knowledge and skills:
Basic knowledge of democracy principles: the theory of democracy, democratic governance systems, and the role of participation in democracy.
Information technology skills: general IT skills, including a basic understanding of social media, digital tools, and platforms.
Critical thinking: the ability to perform critical analysis of information and argue one's viewpoint, as well as the ability to identify and assess the credibility of reliable information sources.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Within this course, students will acquire the necessary knowledge on the significance and application of digital technologies in the implementation and influence of political processes.
Skills
1.This course will equip students with the skills needed for independent information assessment, evaluating the reliability of sources, and understanding the impact of digital technologies on processes in democracy and promoting public participation.
Competences
1.Students will be able to apply the newly acquired knowledge in the use of digital technologies in their daily work and in the research and evaluation of democratic processes.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Individual work |
-
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-
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Participation in seminar tasks and presentations, group work presentations. Written assignments must be submitted electronically in the e-study environment, adhering to the specified deadlines.
In order to evaluate the quality of the study course as a whole, the student must fill out the study course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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|---|---|---|
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1.
Examination |
-
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-
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An independent research project developed by the conditions described in the e-studies.
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2.
Examination |
-
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-
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In seminars, students will give presentations that have been prepared in advance, in accordance with the conditions described in the e-studies.
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3.
Examination |
-
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-
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The final evaluation of the course will be based on the following criteria:
participation and engagement in lectures – 10%,
involvement in seminars, quality of presentations – 10%,
execution of written assignments 30%,
final examination work – 50%.
Each activity is graded on a 10-point scale, with students being explained the volume, format, and purpose of the work to be done. The assessment is justified with appropriate feedback.
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
|
Digital Technologies and Democracy: Introduction.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Digital Literacy, Media Literacy, and Critical Thinking. Digital Divide. Freedom of Speech in the Digital Environment
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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Disinformation, Fake News, Deepfakes. Communication Content and Channels. Social Engineering, Fraud in the Digital Environment
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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Off site
|
E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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The Role and Impact of Social Media in Contemporary Democracy.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Social Media Communication: Case Study Analysis, Practical Work.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Social Media Communication: Case Study Analysis, Practical Work.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Political Campaign Marketing and Technology, Case Study Analysis.
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-
Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
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Topics
|
Political Campaign Marketing and Technology, Case Study Analysis.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Political Campaign Creation Strategies and Planning.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Digital Privacy. Personal Data Protection in the Digital Environment. General Data Protection Regulation Principles.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Digital Participation. E-services, E-voting.
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-
Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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E-service Platform Design.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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Off site
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E-Studies platform
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2
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Topics
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The Future of Digital Democracy. Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Artificial Intelligence. Governance and Ethics. Practical Work.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Final Examination Work.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Literatūra angļu valodā, paredzēta gan latviešu, gan angļu plūsmas studentiem
2.
Lucy Bernholz, Hélène Landemore, Rob Reich. Digital Technology and Democratic Theory. University of Chicago Press, 2021.
3.
Ethics and Justice, Law, Regulation, and Policy. Democracy and the Digital Transformation of Our Lives
4.
Petros Iosifidis, Nicholas Nicoli. Digital Democracy, Social Media and Disinformation. 1st Edition. 2021
5.
Nathaniel Persily, Joshua A. Tucker. Social Media and Democracy. Edited by Nathaniel Persily and Joshua A. Tucker. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 August 2020.
6.
Democracy and technology. Council of Europe. Good Governance.
7.
Gianluca Sgueo. Introductory Remarks. When Did We Start Caring About Digital Aesthetics?Read first chapter. The Design of Digital Democracy. Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland. Book Series : Springer Textbooks in Law, 2023. Part of: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik", Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"
8.
Hélène Landemore. Open Democracy and Digital Technologies. 2020.
9.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE ON DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE (CDDG). E-DEMOCRACY HANDBOOK. Secretariat Memorandum. prepared by the Directorate General of Democracy. Democratic Governance Division. Strasbourg, 27 August 2020.