Digital Society Major programme

The Major programme consists of four modules and the Master exam.

  • Module 1: Interdisciplinary perspectives on the digital transformation of society
  • Module 2: Theories and Case Studies
  • Module 3: Methods, Skills and Applications
  • Module 4: Digital Society in the Making: Analyses and Debates

There is no mandatory chronological order for the courses and modules, but it is highly recommended to take the courses of Module 1 as early as possible.

Important information regarding the Digital Society minor

The current page lists all courses for the Digital Societ Major programme à 90 ECTS credits. If you are interested or enrolled in the Digital Society minor programme à 30 ECTS credits, which consists of Module 1 and Module 2, please visit the dedicated minor courses information page.

Module 1 (DSS 1) with 15 ECTS credits:

Interdisciplinary perspectives on the digital transformation of society

All lectures in Module 1 are mandatory and are offered once every academic year.

Description:

The main objective of this module is to provide a conceptual and practical introduction to the digital society from an interdisciplinary perspective. It combines social sciences, history, and computer sciences so that students can understand the foundations of the digital society and its transformations. In addition, the module introduces digital research methods.

Lectures:

  • Social History of Computing and the Internet (L26.00211, 3 ECTS credits) General outline of technical innovations and their social impact. Usually held in the autumn semester, Timetable 2025/26

  • Foundations of Informatics (SDN.00002, 3 ECTS credits) Introduction to the fundamentals of informatics that enables students from diverse backgrounds to have a general understanding of programming, the function of algorithms and their application. Usually held in the autumn semester, Timetable 2025/26

  • Perspectives in the Social Studies of Technology (L26.00212, 3 ECTS credits) Introduction to the main theoretical and analytical perspectives and approaches in social studies of technology with special emphasis on their interdisciplinary dimensions. What are the main research programmes and domains of study? How have they evolved? Usually held in the spring semester, Timetable 2025/26

  • Digital Transformation in Society and Culture (L26.00213, 3 ECTS credits) Using a lecture series format, interdisciplinary introduction to diverse issues and areas of research. What are the major contemporary challenges in terms of changes in the economy, work, politics, culture, sports, religion, and society as a whole? Who are the major players and their roles, what are the stakes? The lecture series is based on diverse contributors from Fribourg University and external experts. Usually given in the autumn semester, Timetable 2025/26, PDF of the 2024 programme PDF of the 2023 Programme

Seminar:

  • Methods in studies of the digital society (L26.00214 3 ECTS credits) This seminar provides the students with an introduction to the methodological skills required to successfully engage with the programme and be adequately prepared for specific case studies in the module. For 2025/26, held in the autumn semester, Timetable 2025/26

Module 2 (DSS 2) with 15 ECTS credits

Theories and Case Studies

Module 2 offers a series of courses that explore specific topics, case studies and theories that correspond to current trends and public debates. These courses follow a flexible structure that is common in the social sciences and humanities. The courses offer a wide range of study topics to appeal to different student groups and interests. More importantly, given the rapid development of digital technologies, the aim is to keep the courses open and flexible. For this reason, the courses in Module 2 alternate to always allow room for new study topics.

Description:

The objective of Module 2 is to allow the students to deepen their knowledge of certain theories, case studies and issues related to the digital society using empirical research methods. The module focuses on the macro level (society), the meso level (institutions) and how these influence the micro level of digital practices.

Lectures and seminars:

3 lectures or seminars focused on specific transformations/social groups or on specific theoretical approaches (3 x 3 ECTS credits).

These lectures and seminars may deal for example with digital law; the ethics of robotics and artificial intelligence; hacking and cybersecurity; digital infrastructures; democracy and digital media; digital religion; the digital divide and social participation; digital communication; surveillance, control, and censorship; computer games; ethnography of software engineers and hackers; education and digital inequality and so on.

  • Law and the digital society (L26.00282, 3 ECTS credits; + potentially a seminar paper à 6 ECTS credits) Legal systems must adapt to new challenges, such as protecting personal data, regulating government use of facial recognition, and promoting a sustainable digital economy. The law's role is to balance the benefits of technology with the need to protect individuals and society from potential harms. Usually given in the autumn semester, Timetable 2025/26

  • Challenging Digital Society (SP, L26.00282 3 ECTS credits; + potentially a seminar paper à 6 ECTS credits) Timetable 2025

  • From Censorship to algorithms: politics, religion and culture (L26.00282, 3 ECTS credits) This lecture series with contributors of various disciplines firstly introduces historical case studies. In the second part it focuses on recent phenomena connected to social media, practices of internet censorship, new technological forms of social control. Timetable 2025/26

Full offer, updated every semester A list is provided for every semester. Please contact the study advisor to discuss your options. Possible courses and seminars SA-2025, Possible courses and seminars SP-2026

Seminar paper

1 seminar paper (=research paper) related to a seminar (6 ECTS credits)

Module 3 (DSS 3) with 15 ECTS credits:

Interdisciplinary perspectives on the digital transformation of society

The module consists of individual teaching units and a science-practice link.

Description:

Module 3 aims at enhancing the students' digital competences and methodological expertise through personalized and practice-oriented learning experiences. Cumulative workshops, lectures and the so-called science-practice link make up for 3 x 3 ECTS credits included this module. They are complemented by a research paper à 3 ECTS credits. The modalities should be discussed and, in some cases, must be approved by the study advisor.

  • Study week, workshop or internship (3 ECTS credits; + potentially a seminar paper à 6 ECTS credits The modalities of the specific activity for this learning unit must be approved by the study advisor.

Lectures and seminars:

These teaching units provide an in-depth understanding of the digital society by integrating theoretica knowledge with practical skills and empirical research methods.

  • Digital Methods (L26.00297, 3 ECTS credits; + potentially a research paper à 6 ECTS credits) An introduction to digital methods for the study of digitally mediated social phenomena. This course explores two major methodological traditions – controversy mapping and the ethnography of digital activities – equipping students with both quantitative and qualitative approaches to digital research. Timetable 2025/26

  • Python Programming (I09.00005, fulfilling the conditions of a 3 ECTS credits for "workshops") Python is considered a complete and easy-to-learn programming language. This language not only serves as a basis for programming, but can also be used for complex data processing tasks, such as Machine Learning, or for visualizing large quantities of data. Usually given in the autumn semester, Timetable 2025/26

Full offer, updated every semester A list is provided for every semester. Please contact the study advisor to discuss your options. Possible courses and seminars SA-2025, Possible courses and seminars SP-2026

Research paper

1 research paper related to a seminar, lecture, or the science-practice link (6 ECTS credits)

Module 4 (DSS 4) with 15 ECTS credits

Digital Society in the Making: Analyses and Debates

Module 4 is dedicated to the contemporary landscape of the digital society. It addresses primarily current issues, topics, and theoretical perspectives. These courses follow a flexible structure that is common in the social sciences and humanities. Given the rapid development of digital technologies, the aim is to keep the courses open and flexible. For this reason, the courses in Module 4 may change from year to year to always allow room for new study topics, with the exception of the MA colloquium, which is held every year.

Description:

The objective of Module 4 is to convey specialized analytical knowledge and expertise in addressing key debates and concerns within the evolving digital society.

MA colloquium

The MA colloquium should be taken towards the end of the studies. For more information on the modalities, please contact the responsible professor.

Lectures and seminars:

1 lecture and 1 seminar exploring current issues and salient topics (2 x 3 ECTS credits).

  • Perspectives in AI Ethics​ (L26.00300, 3 ECTS credits; + potentially a seminar paper à 6 ECTS credits) This course familiarizes students with a broad spectrum of perspectives in AI Ethics. Artificial Intelligence – as a technology, as a concept, and as a catch-all phrase – has already been affecting innumerable aspects of social life, some in possibly transformational ways. The course covers a variety of themes such as the political economy of AI, issues related to the governance of AI, effects on labour, and the AI alignment problem. Timetable 2025/26

Full offer, updated every semester A list is provided for every semester. Please contact the study advisor to discuss your options. Possible courses and seminars SA-2025, Possible courses and seminars SP-2026

Seminar paper

1 seminar paper (=research paper) related to the seminar of this module (6 ECTS credits)

Master exam with 15 ECTS credits

The master exam consists of the master thesis and the defence. The thesis can only be handed in once all 4 modules have been validated.

Study plan

Download the study plan.

Digital Society on social media

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Disclaimer

This website exists for informational purposes only. Solely the official study plan is binding.