Code: S1C1
ECTS: 6
Semester: 1st
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving landscape of digital and intelligent communication tools, exploring their impact on how we connect, interact, and share information in the modern world.
Key topics covered include:
- Fundamentals of digital communication: We’ll examine the underlying principles of digital communication, including key concepts like encoding, transmission, and reception of information, corresponding to Shannon’s model of communication. This course will also present other forms of communication models.
- Evolution of communication technologies: From traditional media to the rise of the internet, social media, and mobile devices, we’ll trace the historical development of communication tools and technologies and their impact on society and social interactions.
- Intelligent communication tools: Delve into the world of AI-powered communication, exploring tools like chatbots, virtual assistants, and machine translation, and their role in enhancing or supporting human communication.
- Social media and online communities: Analyse the impact of social media platforms on communication patterns, community building,information dissemination, and building common goods.
- Emerging technologies: Explore cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the Internet of Things (IoT) and their potential to revolutionise communication practices in the future and their boundaries.
- Ethical considerations: Discuss the ethical implications of digital and intelligent communication tools, including issues related to privacy, security, the responsible and sustainable use of technology.
Introduction to communication theories and models in digital environments; historical evolution of communication technologies and media; digital communication infrastructures and platforms; social media, online communities, and participatory communication; intelligent communication tools, including chatbots, virtual assistants, and machine translation systems; immersive and emerging communication environments such as VR, AR, and IoT-based interaction; communication practices in personal, social, institutional, and professional contexts; critical analysis of digital mediation, access, participation, and information dissemination; ethical, social, and sustainability issues related to privacy, security, misinformation, and responsible use of intelligent communication technologies.
- Search, analysis and synthesis of data and information, with the use of the necessary technology
- Adaptability to new situations
- Decision-making
- Working independently
- Team work
- Working in an international environment
- Working in an interdisciplinary environment
- Respect for difference and multiculturalism
- Showing social, professional and ethical responsibility and sensitivity to gender issues
- Criticism and self-criticism
- Production of free, creative and inductive thinking
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
Knowledge
- explain key theories, models, and historical developments in digital communication;
- describe the main categories of digital and intelligent communication tools, including social media, conversational agents, virtual assistants, and immersive communication environments;
- discuss the social, cultural, and ethical implications of contemporary communication technologies.
Skills
- analyse communication processes and identify the role of digital tools in different personal, social, and professional contexts;
- evaluate the affordances and limitations of digital and intelligent communication technologies;
- select and use appropriate communication tools for specific purposes, audiences, and environments.
Competences
- critically assess how digital communication technologies reshape social interaction, participation, and access to information;
- formulate informed positions regarding the responsible, ethical, and sustainable use of digital communication systems;
- integrate theoretical understanding and practical judgement in the study and use of evolving communication ecosystems.
