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GCP-20017 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 13 December 2025

GCP-20017 - Digital Society: People, Spaces and Data
Coordinator: Aristotle Kallis Tel: +44 1782 7 34145
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 5)


Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

How can we harness digital innovation to create sustainable futures whilst minimising risk? In this module we will explore the present and
future(s) of humanity at the intersection of unprecedented technological revolution and extreme sustainability crises. You will participate in
debates on how social media, and AI are transforming our lives and gain skills in data visualisation and digital storytelling. Through real-world
projects, you will explore solutions to sustainability challenges that balance digital innovation with freedom, equality, and justice.

Aims
The module aims to enhance your evidence-based knowledge and analytical skills in evaluating the ways in which data, digital platforms, and social media have reshaped human life and society; and how all these changes can accelerate or impede the drive towards a more sustainable world.
Particular attention is given to the theme of harnessing collaborative intelligence between nature, humanity, and artificial systems, empowering students to critically engage with the challenges and opportunities of shaping equitable and sustainable digital futures.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Examine how big data is transforming our understanding of the human condition in a digital world
: 1,2
Synthesise interdisciplinary insights to evaluate the effectiveness of digitally-empowered solutions to diverse sustainability
challenges: 1,2
Interpret and visualise data to communicate insights related to the impacts of digital transformation towards the UN’s Sustainable
development Goals: 2
Assess the ethical implications of digital technologies on individuals, communities, and societies across the world, developing
informed perspectives on the responsible use of digital technologies in pursuit of sustainable futures: 1,2

Study hours

32 hours in-class active learning sessions, including timetabled group work sessions in Semester 2
75 hours group work (~ 3 hrs per week) including structured group learning activities and preparation of group assessment
43 hours independent study including preparation for independent assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 40%
Policy Report
An individual policy report, based on the student's individual work for the group project. The report should focus on a real-life case of effective alignment of human, natural, and artificial intelligence and provide recommendations on how this can be scaled up as a sustainable practice. A report template will be provided for the assignment. Length: c.1000 words

2: Group Assessment weighted 60%
Group Project
Students will work in groups (4-6 students) to devise a project that addresses a real-world sustainability challenge that has been shaped/transformed/accelerated by digital innovations and tools. The group project will be assessed according to two components: - a project description and pitch (group assignment due at the end of Semester 1, c.500 words; 1/3 of the grade) - a TED Talk-style group presentation based on individual contributions of c.400-500 words (or c.5 mins of presentation) (2/3 of the grade)

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 13 December 2025