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GCP-30017 - Module Specification
School of Humanities
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

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

GCP-30017 - Digital Society: Digital Citizens with a Purpose
Coordinator: Aristotle Kallis Tel: +44 1782 7 34145
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 733147

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Global Challenge Pathway Global Challenge Pathway (Level 6)


Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

GCP-20017 or GCP-10017 (or former modules GCP-10005 or GCP-20005)

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

What does it mean to be a responsible digital citizen and how can this become a catalyst for a more sustainable future? Through this module
discover strategies that fuse digitally-empowered action with social responsibility and impact; and navigate complex ethical decisions in the
pursuit of a better future for humanity. From combating misinformation to fostering community, this module invites you to become a responsible,
forward-thinking change-maker in an increasingly interconnected world.

Aims
The module aims to enhance your evidence-based knowledge and analytical skills in evaluating the role of digital citizenship as a key driver of change towards a more sustainable world.
Emphasising inter-disciplinary experiential learning and dialogue, the module offers you opportunities to engage with real-life initiatives and stakeholders, empowering you as responsible digital citizens to contribute actively to contemporary debates, practices, and projects at the intersection of digital transformation and sustainability.
Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda, you will explore and enact ways in which digital citizenship can foster positive change at global, national, and local levels.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Produce collaboratively high-quality digital content for diverse audiences across professional, cultural, and social contexts
: 2
Design and propose innovative digital solutions that embody the principles of "digital with a purpose", prioritising human well-being,
social justice, and environmental sustainability in digital futures: 1,2
Create effective digital campaigns or initiatives that promote digital citizenship and sustainable futures, demonstrating an
understanding of the ways in which digital technologies can be leveraged to drive sustainable change
: 1,2
Reflect on their own digital practices and develop a personal philosophy of digital citizenship, considering the role they can play in
promoting sustainable futures through responsible digital engagement: 1

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, preparation of group assessment, and level-6 showcase
event
43 hours independent study including preparation for independent assessment

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Assignment weighted 40%
A c.1250-word 'future fiction' piece
Each student is asked to create a 'future fiction' piece that explores a potential future (15-20 years ahead) where a specific digital transformation has significantly impacted sustainability outcomes. The fiction should be grounded in real-life research, current trajectories, and sustainability challenges. Format: choice of digital formats, such as text or multimedia equivalent (video, podcast, illustrated story, blog) Length: c.1250 words or equivalent.

2: Group Assessment weighted 60%
Group Project
Group project in the form of digital story-telling, where students communicate their research collectively through multimedia narratives. PROJECT BRIEF. Working in project groups (typically 4-6 students per group), students are asked to research, assess, and present a real-life project on one or multiple key SDG areas and targets of their choice, with an international dimension, reflecting on how digital citizenship can inform, shape, and drive positive change towards a sustainable future. FORMAT The group project consists of: - a (group) project poster (c.400 words per student, 2/3 of the grade, submitted at the end of the academic year), which can be displayed as part of the Level-6 ‘showcase event’ and members of the group can then be asked questions on their poster by staff and external partners who are in attendance; and - a practice brief (c. 700 words, submitted at the end of Semester 1, 1/3 of the final grade) summarising the project focus, its significance, and a roadmap for its delivery.

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