Technology and Socioeconomic Development
- Social Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 115 pages
- 12 units
This course explores the intricate relationship between technology and socioeconomic development. It examines the role of technology in the historical growth of major economies, the nature of technological change, and its socioeconomic implications. Students will delve into technology transfer, diffusion, and adoption, with a focus on developing countries. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of how technology drives economic progress and shapes societies.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 52 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, case study
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of DES222, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
DES222 · Unit 1 The Basic Concepts: Technology, Innovation And Socioeconomic Development
Technology is a hands-on thing and it involves skills like engineering, communicating, designing, developing, innovating, managing, manufacturing, modeling and systems thinking. It also has its proms and corns.
What you should be able to do
- Explain basic technology and socioeconomic development concepts
- Differentiate between growth and development
- Illustrate the difference between developed and developing economies
- Understand the determinants of economic development
- Explain the process of technological change in developing countries
What it prepares you for
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Development Consultant
- Technology Strategist
- Researcher
- Government
- International Development
- Technology Consulting
- Research Institutions
- Financial Services
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 2: Nature Of Technological Change And Socioeconomic Implications
Unit 2: Technological Change and Technical Progress
Understanding the nuances of capital-deepening, labour-deepening and neutral technical progress requires strong analytical skills.
- Module 3: Technology Transfer, Diffusion And Adoption
Unit 4: Issues of Technology Acquisition in Developing Countries
The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) requires understanding of various socioeconomic factors and their impact on technology adoption.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 52 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Role Of Technology And Historical Growth Of Major Economies
Unit 1: The Basic Concepts: Technology, Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · 4 hours
Define technology, innovation, and socioeconomic development.. Discuss the characteristics of technology evolution.. Differentiate between technology and innovation..
- Week 2Module 1: Role Of Technology And Historical Growth Of Major Economies
Unit 2: Economic Growth and Socioeconomic Development · 4 hours
Define economic growth and socioeconomic development.. Explain how economic growth is measured.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of economic growth..
- Week 3Module 1: Role Of Technology And Historical Growth Of Major Economies
Unit 3: Developed and Developing Economies · 4 hours
Define developed and developing economies.. Highlight the characteristics of developed and developing economies.. Discuss the determinants of socioeconomic development..
- Week 4Module 1: Role Of Technology And Historical Growth Of Major Economies
Unit 4: History of Technology in Industrial Revolution · 4 hours
Discuss the history of technological development.. Trace the history of technological development from developed economies to developing economies..
- Week 5Module 2: Nature Of Technological Change And Socioeconomic Implications
Unit 1: Technological Change and Technology Life Cycle · 4 hours
Discuss the history of technological change.. Highlight different types of technological change.. Explain technology life cycle..
- Week 6Module 2: Nature Of Technological Change And Socioeconomic Implications
Unit 2: Technological Change and Technical Progress · 4 hours
Explain the production function.. Understand the role of technical progress in achieving economic growth..
- Week 7Module 2: Nature Of Technological Change And Socioeconomic Implications
Unit 3: Socioeconomic Implications of Technological Change · 4 hours
Discuss what is meant by sustainable development.. List the sustainable development goals.. Explain the role of technology in socioeconomic development..
- Week 8Module 2: Nature Of Technological Change And Socioeconomic Implications
Unit 4: Industrial Competition and Technology Change · 4 hours
Understand the meaning of industrial competition.. Know the components of industrial competition..
- Week 9Module 3: Technology Transfer, Diffusion And Adoption
Unit 1: Technology Transfer and Socioeconomic Development · 4 hours
Discuss the meaning of technology transfer.. Explain the different classes of technology transfer.. Enumerate the different approaches through which technology can be transferred..
- Week 10Module 3: Technology Transfer, Diffusion And Adoption
Unit 2: Technology Diffusion and Adoption · 4 hours
Explain what is meant by technology diffusion and adoption.. Discuss the different drivers of technology diffusion and adoption..
- Week 11Module 3: Technology Transfer, Diffusion And Adoption
Unit 3: Economic Theories of Technology Change · 4 hours
Explain the exogenous growth theory.. Describe the endogenous growth theory.. Discuss the theory of creative destruction..
- Week 12Module 3: Technology Transfer, Diffusion And Adoption
Unit 4: Issues of Technology Acquisition in Developing Countries · 4 hours
Explain the different modes of technology acquisition.. Discuss the challenges of technological acquisition in developing countries.. Illustrate the strategies to technology adoption in developing countries..
- Week 13Module 3: Technology Transfer, Diffusion And Adoption
Final Revision · 4 hours
Review all modules and units.. Work on assignments.. Prepare for final examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Create concept maps linking technology evolution to economic growth (Modules 1-2)
- Review case studies of successful technology transfer in developing countries (Module 3)
- Practice applying economic theories to analyze technology adoption challenges (Module 3)
- Focus on understanding the key characteristics and determinants of developed vs. developing economies (Module 1)
- Summarize the positive and negative socioeconomic implications of technological change (Module 2)
Questions students ask about this course
What is DES222 about?
This course explores the intricate relationship between technology and socioeconomic development. It examines the role of technology in the historical growth of major economies, the nature of technological change, and its socioeconomic implications. Students will delve into technology transfer, diffusion, and adoption, with a focus on developing countries. The course aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of how technology drives economic progress and shapes societies.
How many units does DES222 have?
DES222, Technology and Socioeconomic Development, has 12 units across 3 modules, over 115 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is DES222?
DES222 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Social Sciences.
Is DES222 hard?
DES222 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and case study work.
How long does DES222 take to study?
About 52 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is DES222 assessed?
DES222 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What can I do with DES222?
Economist, Policy Analyst, Development Consultant, Technology Strategist and Researcher.