Digital Culture and Digital Health, 7.5 credits

Main field of study with advanced study

60 credits, including at least 30 credits in Media and Communications Studies. Exemption of the requirement in Swedish is granted. English 6.

The course is included in Media and Communications Studies: Focus Health 180 credits. The course is also given as a single subject course.

The aim of the course is that the student shall aquire critical, theoretical and historical perspectives on the question of what it means to "live well" in a digital media society. The student shall develop knowledge on how the digitalisation of everyday life contributes to well-being and what problems that arise from digitalisation. Further, the aim is that the student understands how we can understand and relate to (quasi) medical diagnoses that pathologize media use (computer game addiction, internet addiction). Furthermore, the course aims for the student to develop basic skills in conducting a cultural-ethical reasoning about digital health.

Following successful completion of the course the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• describe the development of a digital media landscape
• with support from current research, discuss the relationship between digital media and well-being

Skills and ability

• design current issues about digital media and well-being in a communicative context
• present an initiated critical argument in writing

Judgement and approach

• apply a critical historical perspective on contemporary issues related to digital media and health
• reflect on equal health, lifestyle and welfare in relation to digital culture and health

The course introduces theories about the impact of digitalisation on health (in the broad sense of the WHO) and culture (understood as a whole way of life). The main focus is on critical and historical perspectives and addresses current examples, such as where digital culture and digital health are thematized and problematized. Furthermore, aspects of digital culture and health from critical, theoretical and historical perspectives are discussed. The course continuously considers issues of gender, gender equality, equality and sustainability.

The course teaching consists of lectures, seminars, film screenings and workshops with applied elements.

The examination consists of a group assignment with oral and written presentation at obligatory seminar and an individual written take-home exam.

If there are special reasons, the examiner may make exceptions from the specified examination format and allow a student to be examined in another way. Special reasons can e.g. be study support for students with disabilities.

Course evaluation is part of the course. This evaluation offers guidance in the future development and planning of the course. Course evaluation is documented and made available to the students.