Unit information: Interaction and Society in 2020/21

Unit name	Interaction and Society
Unit code	COMS20009
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Oussama Metatla
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	COMS10013 Mathematics for Computer Science B. OR students must have knowledge of how to conduct an experiment and compare data using statistical tests (at a similar level to that taught in Mathematics for Computer Science B).
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Computer Science
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

This unit is concerned with interactions and impacts of computing technologies at the individual, group and societal scales. It combines core concepts in Interaction Design with discussion of the position of the discipline of Computer Science in society.

The first half of this unit introduces and gives concrete experience of interaction design methods. Interaction design is key in the development of successful interactive software and hardware. This unit considers a range of topics in the field from user interface design to evaluation methods. We will address all aspects of the interaction design lifecycle from requirements gathering, through sketching and prototyping interface designs, to evaluation.

The second half of this unit focuses on computer scientists in society. We will consider both how individuals, groups, societies, and environments are impacted by digital technologies, and on the role and responsibilities of computer scientists. We will introduce approaches to consider impacts, drawing on theories of ethics, values, responsible innovation, and social computing.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of this unit will enable a student to:

1. Understand and critically reflect on the appropriateness of different interaction design methods
2. Conduct basic user research
3. Design, prototype and evaluate a user interface
4. Critically discuss some of the ways that information technologies can impact societies, different groups, and individuals
5. Use ethical, values, and responsible innovation frameworks to consider the potential impacts of digital technologies
6. Understand how legal and professional frameworks might influence their work
7. Hypothesise about possible technological futures
8. Transferable skills: Information gathering and organising skills. Argumentation skills and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources. Written presentation skills

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous sessions, including lectures, practical activities supported by drop-in sessions, group work and self-directed exercises.

Assessment Information

100% Coursework

Reading and References

• Sharp, Helen, Preece, Jennifer and Rogers, Yvonne, Interaction Design: Beyond Human Computer Interaction, 5th Edition (John Wiley and Sons, 2019) ISBN: 978-1119547259
• Baecker, Ronald M, Computers in Society: Modern Perspectives (Oxford University Press, 2019) ISBN: 978-0198827092
• Readings drawn from research papers and online sources.