Mapping New Trends in the Digital Landscape

Using a historically informed theoretical lens, you will focus on examples of emerging media and phenomena from past, present and future to examine how social and technical transformations are mutually shaped. The module looks at the materiality and affordances of various media fields and products (be it sites, platforms, apps, etc.). It also considers how innovations have given rise to conditions ranging from platformisation and automation, through to mediatisation, appification and gamification. Putting forward how users’ lives are shaped by, and co-evolve with, these conditions, it interrogates the presuppositions concerning changes in social and cultural existence. The module aims to equip you with analytical methods that go beyond mere criticism. By mapping a broad range of applications, issues and debates, it will develop a systematic understanding of contexts and enable you to evaluate, critically and ethically, digital phenomena and applications as part of your own investigations into alternative digital futures.  

Please note that, if you intend to also take the module Designing Sustainable Digital Futures, it is recommended that you take this module first due to the links between course content. 

This module aims to provide you with the following:

• A deep and systematic understanding of concepts such as trendsetting, prediction, future casting and transformation in relation to global digital (media/culture) landscapes. 
• An introduction to a historically informed analytical and methodological basis through which you will be able to assess the social and cultural transformation of digital infrastructures and interfaces, and of related social practices. 
• An overview of a set of conditions and a range of applications that shape how society experiences digital trends while studying what current new trends are and how such novelty is arrived at and received. 
• The ability to evaluate complex societal and ethical issues raised by developments in areas such as appification, AI, surveillance and digital borders.
• Support to undertake a substantial independent investigation of the potential threats and opportunities within the current socio-political and media landscape, from predictions regarding new digital trends, to ways of balancing technology and societal wellbeing, as well as considering future alternatives.

At the end of the module, you will be able to:

• Explain how current and emerging global trends in the landscape of digital culture and media affect everyday life.
• Demonstrate critical and ethical awareness regarding how contemporary digital trends and applications affect society. 
• Review and evaluate, independently and as part of a group, an application within a selected field (e.g. work, healthcare, education) while displaying critical, creative and strategic thinking.
• Independently create recommendations for future digital landscapes, relying on your in-depth understanding of opportunities, of societal, ethical and regulatory challenges, to real-world situations. 

Standard entry requirements for the stackable framework are:

• A 2:2 honours degree or international equivalent.
• A CV and personal statement outlining reasons for study.
• English language at Band B (IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each skill).

You will be assessed via the following:

• 1,500-word practical research project or equivalent 3-4 minute video presentation = 30%
• 2,500-word essay = 60%
• Engagement and participation = 10%

This module involves online and live webinars. At least one live webinar will take place per week. Exact dates and times will be confirmed upon enrolment. 

This module is offered as part of our flexible master’s awards in Professional Development. The awards are one of the most flexible currently offered in the UK, providing the opportunity to study a range of modules from across King’s, both on-campus and online. Whether you are looking for a promotion or to retrain, you have come to the right place.   

Designed for mature professionals juggling life and work commitments, our postgraduate awards will enable you to study at your own pace. In challenging financial times, you are also able to fund your studies module-by-module. We will support you to select the right module diet that meets your objectives while ensuring that you are well prepared for success. We will also help you to build your professional network of peers from across our suite of CPD modules.

We can’t wait for you to continue your lifelong learning journey here at King’s.