Digital Activism and Citizenship in Datafied Societies (L3131A)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

On this module, you’ll use the idea of digital citizenship to address:

  • how citizens today use digital technologies to support social justice
  • how digital networks have changed social movements
  • whether online activism leads to real change or simply a form of slacktivism
  • if it reinforces neoliberal forms of power.

Digital citizenship is empowerment through digital action, including how people assert their identities in relation to the state. This also includes how rights are changing, and how everyday citizenship is informal, performative and participatory.

You’ll explore the key topics, perspectives and debates in digital citizenship. You’ll also assess whether digital action can support democracy, while considering forces that undermine it, such as:

  • data collection
  • surveillance capitalism
  • information gatekeeping
  • networked authoritarianism.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We鈥檙e planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We鈥檒l make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: