Are you interested in timely social and political issues, such as the expansion of surveillance technologies in various sectors? What is the impact of the expansion of surveillance technologies on our privacy? What does it mean to be a ‘digital citizen’? Would you like to explore these questions? This innovative master offers you the opportunity to do so, in a truly international classroom within one of Europe’s most diverse and multicultural cities.
Study program
While digitalization brings many opportunities, big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and social media platforms involve an unprecedented collection of personal information, raising global challenges about privacy and security. Social media monitoring can sway elections, spark civil strife, and serve to predict expected social patterns and behavior. Algorithms determine who gets to see which online information and advertisements, but also who is considered a public threat. Also in everyday life, useful apps or tools may induce surveillance. Easy access to messaging and surveillance cameras compel neighbors to report on anything suspicious in their neighborhood. Location tracking of family and friends has become common practice in ways perceived as both caring and controlling. Health and lifestyle apps provide insights about one’s well-being while provoking their own privacy and ethical concerns.
The integration of digital technologies into a range of everyday practices create and perpetuate a number of contemporary and cross-sector issues that require critical reflection about data collection, discrimination, privacy violations, and disruptions by and through digital media.
Five reasons to choose Digitalisation, Surveillance & Societies at the EUR
You will receive instruction on this timely topic from an enthusiastic team of specialized experts who actively support you and who provide intensive and individual coaching.
Using state-of-the-art theory, you will learn to trace and analyze the fast-paced technological and organizational developments in media and business. You will dive into the manifold communication challenges faced by companies, managers, and workers in the media sector and other industries.
This program features an interdisciplinary focus through real-world cases, guest lectures, and seminars with professionals.
You will be part of an international, interactive, and small-scale classroom, enabling you to develop a comprehensive, international perspective on the media and creative industries.
This program enables students to develop scientifically informed responses to these challenges by focusing on social, intercultural, political, technical, and international dimensions of digitalization.
Six well-known cases related to Digitalisation, Surveillance & Societies
The Edward Snowden Revelations
Facebook’s perennial privacy scandals (incl. Cambridge Analytica)
Contact tracing apps during COVID-19
The implementation of the GDPR in and beyond Europe
The so-called ‘social credit system’ in China
The Netflix documentary ‘The Social Dilemma’
Factsheet summary
Official CROHO name: M Mediastudies
Program name: Digitalization, Surveillance & Societies
Instruction language: English
Type: Master
Duration:1 year
Location: Campus Woudestein, Rotterdam
