Data and Society

Key questions:
Big data: can we use large data sets and their collection to achieve values, generate insights and find answers? Which social changes can we expect from these technological changes and how will they influence our well-being?

This minor requires no prior knowledge of data analysis or programming.

Coordinator:
Dr. Roel Smeets (roel.smeets@ru.nl)

General information
We live in a datafied and digitised society. Modern day technologies have irreversibly changed the way we communicate, work, consume, and spend our leisure time. Processes of datafication and digitisation have a large impact on our society and have opened up new possibilities. Being a critical citizen in the 21st century thus requires a fair extent of digital literacy. It is, furthermore, crucial to assume a critical stance toward the digitisation of culture and society. There is an increasing demand for people who can bridge the gap between technology and the humanities; people who can ascribe meaning to collections of data and who can carefully handle moral and ethical dilemmas. In order to understand these assets of our present-day society, you will deepen your knowledge about the intersection of technology and society.

In this minor, you will learn which tools for digital data analysis are available in your field. You will also learn how to critically reflect on ways to use these tools. Which knowledge can and can't they help you acquire? How do you deal with your own prejudices when interpreting digital data? Which social changes can we expect from the digitisation of our society? How do you deal with ethical issues, such as privacy?

The minor consists of the following fixed components (mandatory for Faculty of Arts students):

More information about (the concept of) a think tank can be found here.
Do you want to participate in a think tank in the first semester and do you meet the entry requirement? Then register for the course Denktank / Think Tank (LET-LETMI-DT00).

Electives (20 EC)

In addition to the fixed components, you'll also enroll in courses for a total 20 EC. You can choose between two options:

1. You can choose a disciplinary package. In this package you can choose courses of one degree programme for a total of 20 EC. More information on the disciplinary packages can be found here.
2. You can choose courses from the interdisciplinary packageof the minorData and Society for a total of 20 EC. In this package you will find courses from the Faculty of Arts (as well as from other faculties of Radboud University) that allow you to focus on specific aspects of data collection, such as improving your technical programming skills.

If you opt for the minor Data and Society and choose to do the interdisciplinary package, you also have access to the new campus-wide minor programme in Data Science (courses marked with an *) as (part of) your interdisciplinary package. If you complete the Data Science minor, this will be mentioned on your diploma specifically or on a separate certificate. More information about the Data Science minor can be found here. 
Note: The statistics course can be substituted by another 5 EC statistics course.
Furthermore, please be aware that even if you choose to do the Data Science minor within your elective space (20 EC), you still need to take the fixed components of the Data and Society minor (theme course, Academia and Society & think tank).

**  Since these three courses are a module in the Philosophy, Politics and Society bachelor programme, students need to take all three courses. Because you cannot register directly via OSIRIS Student please send an email to stip@ftr.ru.nl. There only is a very limited number of places available for students from other faculties, so if you want to take this module, send an email to STIP FTR a.s.a.p (first come, first serve).

*** You cannot choose both courses marked with ***

Please note

• If you want to include a course in the elective space of the minor which is not included in the package or want to take a minor elsewhere (at another faculty or university), you must send a substantiated request to the Examination Board at least six weeks before the start of the course.
  If you want to include a different course in your interdisciplinary package, the Examination Board will check whether this course is indeed related to the theme of the minor and in case of (a change in) a disciplinary package, whether there is disciplinary coherence.
• It is not possible to account for each student’s timetable when scheduling the courses for the disciplinary and interdisciplinary packages. This means you will only be able to take a course if your timetable permits. If you encounter any difficulties planning which minor courses to take, please consult you study advisor.
• If you choose one or more courses offered by another faculty, please note that they might have different registration deadlines for courses, exams, and resits. Check the STIP-website of the faculty in question and/or the OER of the programme that offers the course you would like to take for more information.