Users in Context (Autumn 2022)

Abstract

This course will provide students with theoretical and analytical foundations that will allow them to analyze and understand how people (as individuals or groups) make use of contemporary digital technology in practice and in relation to their situated context of use. Students will gain hands-on experience by analyzing specific use contexts and practices by working on concrete case studies.

Description

During the course, students will be introduced to a broad understanding of the concept of context, as well as the methodological and analytical tools that will help to understand the everyday, situated, social and cultural contexts that affect how and whether users use digital technology in practice. During the course, students will be able to analyze and reflect on the personal, cultural and institutional forces that today influence the development and use of digital services and media products. This will be done through an introduction to, among other things, theories of why people use (digital) media, online cultural studies, current sociological theory with a focus on practice theory, group formation and group identity, critical-oriented platform theory, as well as classical ethnography and media ethnography as methodological orientations. By working with exemplary and concrete cases of their choice, students will gain an initial understanding of how an analysis of use contexts and users practices can help improve existing products or make it possible to reach new user groups.

Some examples of topics the course will cover (but are not limited to):

• the individual's motivation for using digital media products and services
• the influence of technology on one's self-understanding (tracking and "the quantified self")
• domestication of technologies
• power, agency and technology - how institutions and businesses try to influence our technology use
• how users try to control their use of technology through disconnecting and disconnecting strategies
• media-specific subcultures
• discussing the meaning of context in specific institutional contexts, such as the use of digital news services, the use of apps at cultural institutions and the use of digital technologies among children and young people in learning contexts
• global and cultural citizenship and counter-publicity as a context for activist use of network technologies
• the study of user behavior across media platforms
• digital ethnography, netnography and media go-along as methods

NOTE: During the course we will work and reflect upon relevant aspects of academic practice (such as formulating research questions and research design). Given the diversity of backgrounds and expertise in the class we will try to create a basic starting point for everyone. In particular, for those who feel uncertain about academic practices (or simply want to refresh their minds) we will provide a small workshop/seminar in the first part of the course.

Formal prerequisites

This course is part of the first semester of the Master's program in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies.

Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

• relate the use of digital technologies (platforms, apps, services, and devices) to their relevant and situated contexts of use, for example institutional, cultural, social or design contexts.
• discuss different theoretical perspectives on digital technologies, services and their related user cultures or practices
• explain relevant methodological approaches to the study of users in context, including ethical considerations
• independently select the most relevant theories and methods for use in their own case study, as well as independently select and present an original research question based on a joint research design
• systematically analyze own empirical findings by using the theories, concepts, and methods acquired in the course

Learning activities

The course is based on the following activities:

• group work on selected case studies
• in-class exercises, including polls, quizzes, and plenary discussions
  
• active engagement in exercise sessions
  
• active engagement with syllabus texts (e.g. reading, reporting, formulating questions and comments)

NOTE: During the course we will work and reflect upon relevant aspects of academic practice (such as formulating research questions and research design). Given the diversity of backgrounds and expertise in the class we will try to create a basic starting point for everyone. In particular, for those who feel uncertain about academic practices (or simply want to refresh their minds) we will provide a small workshop/seminar in the first part of the course.

Course literature

There are no coursebooks for the course. Study material relevant to the course will be made available through LearnIT.

Student Activity Budget

• Preparation for lectures and exercises: 20%
• Lectures: 15%
• Exercises: 15%
• Assignments: 5%
• Project work, supervision included: 30%
• Exam with preparation: 10%
• Other: 5%

Ordinary exam

reexam

Time and date