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DIGITAL SOCIETY
| Lecturer(s) | KUMMERLE, HARALD M. |
|---|---|
| Credit(s) | 2 |
| Academic Year/Semester | 2025 Fall(2nd Half) |
| Day/Period | Mon.3/Thu.5 |
| Campus | Mita |
| Registration Number | 29382 |
| Faculty/Graduate School | INTERNATIONAL CENTER |
| Year Level | 2, 3, 4 |
| Grade Type | This item will appear when you log in (Keio ID required). |
| Course Description | - |
| K-Number | CIN-CO-00313-2-61 |
| Course Administrator | Faculty/Graduate School | CIN | INTERNATIONAL CENTER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department/Major | CO | ||
| Main Course Number | Level | 0 | Faculty-wide |
| Major Classification | 0 | Other Course | |
| Minor Classification | 31 | International Center Course (Natural Sciences) - Science | |
| Subject Type | 3 | Elective subject | |
| Supplemental Course Information | Class Classification | ||
| Class Format | |||
| Language of Instruction | 2 | English | |
| Academic Discipline | 61 | Human informatics and related fields | |
Course Contents/Objectives/Teaching Method/Intended Learning Outcome
Course Description
This course explores the profound social, political, and cultural transformations brought about by digital technologies. It introduces key concepts and theories of the digital society while situating them in concrete case studies. Particular attention is given to Japan, which provides distinctive examples of platform cultures, governance models, and digital transformations that often diverge from the dominant narratives of the United States, China, and Europe. The course emphasizes both the global dynamics of digital media and the need to understand local contexts.
Learning Outcome
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of major theoretical approaches to digital society and their relevance to contemporary debates.
- Analyze digital platforms, datafication, and surveillance capitalism from comparative and critical perspectives.
- Evaluate the relationship between digital technologies, governance, and sustainability, with particular reference to Japan in a global context.
- Develop well-structured arguments in written essays that connect theoretical insights with empirical examples.
Teaching Method
Besides the main presentation by the lecturer, each session includes small group discussions and short in-class writings (ca. 100–150 words) at the end of the session. These activities provide opportunities for active participation and serve as a basis for further discussion. In addition, students complete two longer essays. The midterm essay (1,200–1,500 words) will be assigned in Lesson 5 and is due in Lesson 7. The final essay (2,000–2,500 words) will be assigned in Lesson 12 and is due in Lesson 14. Both essays build on themes covered in class and the readings. Deadlines are strict; exceptions require consultation with the lecturer in advance.
This course explores the profound social, political, and cultural transformations brought about by digital technologies. It introduces key concepts and theories of the digital society while situating them in concrete case studies. Particular attention is given to Japan, which provides distinctive examples of platform cultures, governance models, and digital transformations that often diverge from the dominant narratives of the United States, China, and Europe. The course emphasizes both the global dynamics of digital media and the need to understand local contexts.
Learning Outcome
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of major theoretical approaches to digital society and their relevance to contemporary debates.
- Analyze digital platforms, datafication, and surveillance capitalism from comparative and critical perspectives.
- Evaluate the relationship between digital technologies, governance, and sustainability, with particular reference to Japan in a global context.
- Develop well-structured arguments in written essays that connect theoretical insights with empirical examples.
Teaching Method
Besides the main presentation by the lecturer, each session includes small group discussions and short in-class writings (ca. 100–150 words) at the end of the session. These activities provide opportunities for active participation and serve as a basis for further discussion. In addition, students complete two longer essays. The midterm essay (1,200–1,500 words) will be assigned in Lesson 5 and is due in Lesson 7. The final essay (2,000–2,500 words) will be assigned in Lesson 12 and is due in Lesson 14. Both essays build on themes covered in class and the readings. Deadlines are strict; exceptions require consultation with the lecturer in advance.
Active Learning MethodsDescription
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Preparatory Study
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Course Plan
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Method of Evaluation
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Textbooks
Lindgren, Simon (2025) Digital Media and Society, 3rd edition. London: SAGE.
Reference Books
Becker, Christoph (2023). Insolvent: How to Reorient Computing for Just Sustainability. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Bradford, Anu (2023). Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Haigh, Thomas & Ceruzzi, Paul (2021). A New History of Modern Computing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Hitachi-UTokyo Laboratory (2020). Society 5.0: A People-centric Super-smart Society. Singapore: Springer.
Lyon, David (2001). Surveillance Society: Monitoring Everyday Life. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Roquet, Paul (2022). The Immersive Enclosure: Virtual Reality in Japan. New York: Columbia University Press.
Steinberg, Marc (2019). The Platform Economy: How Japan Transformed the Consumer Internet. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Whittaker, Hugh (2024). Building a New Economy: Japan's Digital and Green Transformation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Zuboff, Shoshana (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. New York: PublicAffairs.
Bradford, Anu (2023). Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Haigh, Thomas & Ceruzzi, Paul (2021). A New History of Modern Computing. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Hitachi-UTokyo Laboratory (2020). Society 5.0: A People-centric Super-smart Society. Singapore: Springer.
Lyon, David (2001). Surveillance Society: Monitoring Everyday Life. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Roquet, Paul (2022). The Immersive Enclosure: Virtual Reality in Japan. New York: Columbia University Press.
Steinberg, Marc (2019). The Platform Economy: How Japan Transformed the Consumer Internet. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Whittaker, Hugh (2024). Building a New Economy: Japan's Digital and Green Transformation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Zuboff, Shoshana (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. New York: PublicAffairs.
Lecturer's Comments to Students
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