Technology and the Human (L4124)

15 credits, Level 6

Spring teaching

This module critically explores the figure of the human as a social construct that has been shaped through its relationship to technology.

The module will place the social construction of humanity and its relationship to technology in historical perspective, exploring the raced, classed and gendered dynamics that have shaped what it means to be human. It will draw on critical social theories to explore debates about the ways digital technologies have contributed to a shift from the human to the posthuman, particularly through the figure of the cyborg.

Across the module, we’ll ground theoretical discussions in concrete case studies, from the Luddites of the 19th century to more recent automation anxieties about AI, as well as recent attempts to instrumentalise humans as ‘digital sensors’ tasked with sensing their environment.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 22 hours of contact time and about 128 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2025/26. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.