| ADVERTISING | |||||
| Bachelor | TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 | QF-EHEA: First Cycle | EQF-LLL: Level 6 | ||
| Course Code | Course Name | Semester | Theoretical | Practical | Credit | ECTS |
| SOC4092 | Issues in the information society | Spring | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 |
| This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester. |
| Language of instruction: | English |
| Type of course: | Non-Departmental Elective |
| Course Level: | Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle) |
| Mode of Delivery: | Face to face |
| Course Coordinator : | Assoc. Prof. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR |
| Course Lecturer(s): |
Assist. Prof. AYŞEGÜL AKDEMİR Assoc. Prof. ULAŞ SUNATA ÖZDEMİR |
| Recommended Optional Program Components: | "." |
| Course Objectives: | This course examines the sociological, cultural, ethical, and economic dimensions of the information society, with a particular focus on how recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping various aspects of society. By incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives, students will analyze historical, theoretical, and contemporary issues related to information technologies, surveillance, ethics, and the intersections of AI and sociology. In other words, this course explores the sociological dimensions of the information society, addressing how technological advancements, particularly AI, impact social structures, relationships, and ethical considerations. We incorporate classical readings and contemporary studies on AI, surveillance, and information ethics. This course has two major objectives: first, to describe the social, political, and cultural dimensions of information technology and the evolution of the "Information Society"; second, to critically examine how technological advancements, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging innovations, are reshaping our lives. The course explores how society reacts to these changes, the innovations they enable, and the technological, moral, ethical, and legal challenges they introduce. We will analyze how digital platforms, data analytics, surveillance technologies, and AI contribute to new forms of inequality, labor dynamics, privacy concerns, and social interaction. Students will engage with contemporary debates on the implications of these technologies for democracy, culture, and identity, fostering a deeper understanding of the societal impact of the Information Society and its future trajectory. |
|
The students who have succeeded in this course; 1. Demonstrate an understanding of the historical development of the Information Society and key sociological theories addressing technology's role in social change. 2. Evaluate the social, political, and cultural dimensions of information technology, including mobile telecommunications and their societal impact. 3. Critically assess the societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and automation, focusing on how they reshape labor dynamics, surveillance, and governance. 4. Analyze and compare theories and issues surrounding the Information Society, from early computerization to current debates on digital platforms and AI. 5. Identify and discuss the ethical, legal, and public policy challenges related to technological innovations, such as privacy, surveillance, the digital divide, and algorithmic bias. 6. Assess the impact of technology on key social issues, including the changing nature of work, individual identity, democracy, privacy, and community in the Information Age. 7. Explore the intersection of AI and digital technologies with social inequalities, including issues of gender, race, and access to technology. 8. Demonstrate critical thinking on the social, cultural, and economic dimensions of information technology, particularly regarding its effects on social roles and democratic practices. 9. Write a research proposal and design research projects related to innovations in the Information Society, incorporating theoretical and empirical analysis. 10. Gain hands-on experience with real-world case studies involving AI, digital technologies, and their applications in various social contexts. |
| This course examines the sociological, cultural, ethical, and economic dimensions of the information society, with a particular focus on how recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping various aspects of society. By incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives, students will analyze historical, theoretical, and contemporary issues related to information technologies, surveillance, ethics, and the intersections of AI and sociology. In other words, this course explores the sociological dimensions of the information society, addressing how technological advancements, particularly AI, impact social structures, relationships, and ethical considerations. We incorporate classical readings and contemporary studies on AI, surveillance, and information ethics. This course has two major objectives: first, to describe the social, political, and cultural dimensions of information technology and the evolution of the "Information Society"; second, to critically examine how technological advancements, especially artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging innovations, are reshaping our lives. The course explores how society reacts to these changes, the innovations they enable, and the technological, moral, ethical, and legal challenges they introduce. We will analyze how digital platforms, data analytics, surveillance technologies, and AI contribute to new forms of inequality, labor dynamics, privacy concerns, and social interaction. Students will engage with contemporary debates on the implications of these technologies for democracy, culture, and identity, fostering a deeper understanding of the societal impact of the Information Society and its future trajectory. Teaching Methods and Techniques Used in the Course: Lecture, Case Study, Collaborative Learning, Discussion, Individual Study, Field Trip, Fieldwork, Guest Speaker, Reading, Observation, Project, Technology-Enhanced Learning |
| Week | Subject | Related Preparation |
| 1) | Introduction to the Course | Introduction to the Course |
| 2) | Introduction to the Information Society | Overview of information society concepts; societal transformation through technology. Definitions: The New Technologies, Information Society, Globalisation Information, Data, Knowledge - History and Structure of Information - Introducing the Information Revolution! - Gutenberg, Galileo, Google - Webster, F. (2004). The Information Society Reader. Chapters 1-2. Lyon, D. (2001). Surveillance Society. Chapter 1. |
| 3) | History and Structure of Information | Webster, F. (2004). The Information Society Reader. Chapters 3-4. Activity: Film I: The Triumph of the Nerds: The Rise of Accidental Empires Discussion |
| 4) | Philosophy and Technology | Evolution of information technologies; Heidegger’s philosophy and technology. Readings: Borgmann, A., & Mitcham, C. (1987). "The question of Heidegger and technology: A critical review of the literature." Alberts, D. S., & Papp, D. S. (1997). The Information Age: An Anthology on Its Impact and Consequences. Sections 1-3. |
| 5) | Sociology and Information Technologies | The intersection of sociology and IT; global information flows. Readings: Sassen, S. (2002). "Towards a sociology of information technology." Ribes, D. (2008). "Tying Internet Studies Together." Digital space as a challenge to neoliberalism Open access movements and ethical debates. Bacevic, J. & Muellerleile, C. (2018). Moral economy of open access. Cammaerts, B. (2011) Disruptive sharing in a digital age: rejecting neoliberalism? LSE Research Online. Introduction to machine learning (ML); societal applications of ML. Molina, M., & Garip, F. (2019). "Machine learning for sociology." Gams, M., & Kolenik, T. (2021). "Relations between electronics, artificial intelligence, and the information society." |
| 6) | Surveillance, Governance, and Privacy | Deadline: Assignment 1 |
| 7) | Surveillance, Governance and Privacy | Surveillance culture in the information society; governance challenges. Readings: Lyon, D. (2001). Surveillance Society. Chapters 2-4. Hoebanx, P. (2022). "What shapes the internet?" Activity: Film II - Digital Nation Deadline: Final Project Proposal Discussion |
| 8) | Technology and Inequality | How technology shapes economic and social inequality. Sassen, S. (2002). Current Sociology, 50(3), 365-388. Au-Yong-Oliveira, M. et al. (2020). "The impact of artificial intelligence on society." Digital divide and social inequality Wessels, B. (2013) The reproduction and reconfiguration of inequality: Differentiation and class, status and power in the dynamics of digital divides. in Digital Divide (ed.) Massimo Ragnedda and Glenn W. Muschert. (optional) Guillen, M. & Suarez S. (2005) Explaining the Global Digital Divide: Economic, Political and Sociological Drivers of Cross-National Internet Use. Social Forces vol 84. no 2. Gül, S. (2015) Political Economy of the Internet in Turkey, pp. 59-78. Chapter 4. Challenges in research methods and ethical issues: (optional) Tinati, R. et al (2014) Big Data: Methodological Challenges and Approaches for Sociological Analysis. Sociology. Deadline: Assignment 2 |
| 9) | Power of Identity | Social identity and Internet -Turkle, S. (1999) Looking Toward Cyberspace: Beyond Grounded Sociology Cyberspace and Identity.Vol. 28, No. 6. -Hardey, M. (2002) Life beyond the screen: embodiment and identity through the internet. The Sociological Review. Activity: Film IV: Mark Zuckerberg: Inside Facebook Discussion |
| 10) | Emerging Issues in Human-Centered AI | Potential and risks of human-centered AI in sociology. Rezaev, A. V., & Tregubova, N. D. (2025). "Looking at human-centered artificial intelligence." Makridakis, S. (2017). "The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence revolution." Silicon Valley 1.0 - Simulations, Simulacra, and the Matrix - FROM HIPPIES TO HACKERS -From Videotext to Videogames - TRIUMPH OF THE NERDS - No one expects the Computer Revolution … - Apple, IBM, Microsoft (optional) Fred Turner, “Where the counterculture met the new economy: The WELL and the origins of virtual community,” Technology and Culture (2005). (optional) Castells, M. (2011). The power of identity: The information age: Economy, society, and culture (Vol. 2). John Wiley & Sons. Turkle, Sherry. “Hackers: Loving the Machine for Itself.” In The Second Self: Computers and the Human Spirit (Simon Schuster, 1984). Campbell-Kelly, et al. “The Shaping of the Personal Computer,” “Broadening the Appeal.” Chapters 10 and 11 in Computer: A History of the Information Machine (2013) Activity: Film III: Pirates of Silicon Valley Discussion |
| 11) | AI and Ethics | Foundations of AI ethics; societal impact of AI. Readings: Bruneault, F., & Laflamme, A. S. (2020). "AI Ethics: How Can Information Ethics Provide a Framework to Avoid Usual Conceptual Pitfalls?" Hashmi, E., Yamin, M. M., & Yayilgan, S. Y. (2024). "Securing tomorrow: a comprehensive survey on the synergy of Artificial Intelligence and information security." |
| 12) | The Future of the Information Society | Predictions and trends in the integration of AI into everyday life. Alberts, D. S., & Papp, D. S. (1997). Final chapters. Molina, M., & Garip, F. (2019). Revisited insights from Annual Review of Sociology. The Internet, Cyberspace(S), Post-Modern, Post-Industrial, Post-Information? |
| 13) | Student Presentations | Student Presentations and Discussions |
| 14) | Student Presentations | Student Presentations and Discussions |
| Course Notes / Textbooks: | Frank Webster, ed. (2004). The Information Society Reader. (London, NY: Routledge). David Lyon. (2001). Surveillance Society. Open University Press, David S. Alberts and Daniel S. Papp. (1997). The Information Age: An Anthology on Its Impact and Consequences. CCRP Publication Series. Available at http://www.dodccrp.org/files/Alberts_Anthology_I.pdf Borgmann, A., & Mitcham, C. (1987). The question of Heidegger and technology: A critical review of the literature. Philosophy today, 31(2), 98-99. Bacevic, J., & Muellerleile, C. (2018). The moral economy of open access. European Journal of Social Theory, 21(2), 169-188. Sassen, S. (2002). Towards a sociology of information technology. Current Sociology, 50(3), 365-388. Ribes, D. (2008). Tying Internet Studies Together. Metascience, 17(2), 261-262. Hoebanx, P. (2022). What shapes the internet? An overview of social science and interdisciplinary perspectives. Sociology Compass, 16(10), e13032. Rezaev, A. V., & Tregubova, N. D. (2025). Looking at human-centered artificial intelligence as a problem and prospect for sociology: An analytic review. Current Sociology, 73(1), 120-138. Molina, M., & Garip, F. (2019). Machine learning for sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 45(1), 27-45. Gams, M., & Kolenik, T. (2021). Relations between electronics, artificial intelligence and information society through information society rules. Electronics, 10(4), 514. BRUNEAULT, F., & LAFLAMME, A. S. AI Ethics: How Can Information Ethics Provide a Framework to Avoid Usual Conceptual Pitfalls? An Overview.(2020). AI & Society. Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Communication. Hashmi, E., Yamin, M. M., & Yayilgan, S. Y. (2024). Securing tomorrow: a comprehensive survey on the synergy of Artificial Intelligence and information security. AI and Ethics, 1-19. Au-Yong-Oliveira, M., Lopes, C., Soares, F., Pinheiro, G., & Guimarães, P. (2020, June). What can we expect from the future? The impact of artificial intelligence on society. In 2020 15th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. Makridakis, S. (2017). The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution: Its impact on society and firms. Futures, 90, 46-60. Molina, M., & Garip, F. (2019). Machine learning for sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 45(1), 27-45. Ek güncel okumalar |
| References: | Frank Webster, ed. (2004). The Information Society Reader. (London, NY: Routledge). David Lyon. (2001). Surveillance Society. Open University Press, David S. Alberts and Daniel S. Papp. (1997). The Information Age: An Anthology on Its Impact and Consequences. CCRP Publication Series. Available at http://www.dodccrp.org/files/Alberts_Anthology_I.pdf Borgmann, A., & Mitcham, C. (1987). The question of Heidegger and technology: A critical review of the literature. Philosophy today, 31(2), 98-99. Bacevic, J., & Muellerleile, C. (2018). The moral economy of open access. European Journal of Social Theory, 21(2), 169-188. Sassen, S. (2002). Towards a sociology of information technology. Current Sociology, 50(3), 365-388. Ribes, D. (2008). Tying Internet Studies Together. Metascience, 17(2), 261-262. Hoebanx, P. (2022). What shapes the internet? An overview of social science and interdisciplinary perspectives. Sociology Compass, 16(10), e13032. Rezaev, A. V., & Tregubova, N. D. (2025). Looking at human-centered artificial intelligence as a problem and prospect for sociology: An analytic review. Current Sociology, 73(1), 120-138. Molina, M., & Garip, F. (2019). Machine learning for sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 45(1), 27-45. Gams, M., & Kolenik, T. (2021). Relations between electronics, artificial intelligence and information society through information society rules. Electronics, 10(4), 514. BRUNEAULT, F., & LAFLAMME, A. S. AI Ethics: How Can Information Ethics Provide a Framework to Avoid Usual Conceptual Pitfalls? An Overview.(2020). AI & Society. Journal of Knowledge, Culture and Communication. Hashmi, E., Yamin, M. M., & Yayilgan, S. Y. (2024). Securing tomorrow: a comprehensive survey on the synergy of Artificial Intelligence and information security. AI and Ethics, 1-19. Au-Yong-Oliveira, M., Lopes, C., Soares, F., Pinheiro, G., & Guimarães, P. (2020, June). What can we expect from the future? The impact of artificial intelligence on society. In 2020 15th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. Makridakis, S. (2017). The forthcoming Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution: Its impact on society and firms. Futures, 90, 46-60. Molina, M., & Garip, F. (2019). Machine learning for sociology. Annual Review of Sociology, 45(1), 27-45. Additional recent studies |
| Semester Requirements | Number of Activities | Level of Contribution |
| Attendance | 14 | % 15 |
| Homework Assignments | 2 | % 30 |
| Presentation | 1 | % 15 |
| Final | 1 | % 40 |
| Total | % 100 | |
| PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK | % 60 | |
| PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK | % 40 | |
| Total | % 100 | |
| Activities | Number of Activities | Duration (Hours) | Workload |
| Course Hours | 14 | 3 | 42 |
| Study Hours Out of Class | 14 | 3 | 42 |
| Presentations / Seminar | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Project | 1 | 20 | 20 |
| Homework Assignments | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Midterms | 1 | 10 | 10 |
| Total Workload | 134 | ||
| No Effect | 1 Lowest | 2 Low | 3 Average | 4 High | 5 Highest |
| Program Outcomes | Level of Contribution | |
| 1) | To be able to apply theoretical concepts related to mass communication, consumer behavior, psychology, persuasion,sociology, marketing, and other related fields to understand how advertising and brand communication works in a free-market economy. | 2 |
| 2) | To be able to critically discuss and interpret theories, concepts, methods, tools and ideas in the field of advertising. | 2 |
| 3) | To be able to research, create, design, write, and present an advertising campaign and brand strategies of their own creation and compete for an account as they would at an advertising agency. | 2 |
| 4) | To be able to analyze primary and secondary research data for a variety of products and services. | 2 |
| 5) | To be able to develop an understanding of the history of advertising as it relates to the emergence of mass media outlets and the importance of advertising in the marketplace. | 2 |
| 6) | To be able to follow developments, techniques, methods, as well as research in advertising field; and to be able to communicate with international colleagues in a foreign language. (“European Language Portfolio Global Scale”, Level B1) | 2 |
| 7) | To be able to take responsibility in an individual capacity or as a team in generating solutions to unexpected problems that arise during implementation process in the Advertising field. | 3 |
| 8) | To be able to understand how advertising works in a global economy, taking into account cultural, societal, political, and economic differences that exist across countries and cultures. | 2 |
| 9) | To be able to approach the dynamics of the field with an integrated perspective, with creative and critical thinking, develop original and creative strategies. | 2 |
| 10) | To be able to to create strategic advertisements for print, broadcast, online and other media, as well as how to integrate a campaign idea across several media categories in a culturally diverse marketplace. | 2 |
| 11) | To be able to use computer software required by the discipline and to possess advanced-level computing and IT skills. (“European Computer Driving Licence”, Advanced Level) | 2 |
| 12) | To be able to identify and meet the demands of learning requirements. | 2 |
| 13) | To be able to develop an understanding and appreciation of the core ethical principles of the advertising profession. | 2 |