Teaching and development of new courses in the area of digital politics
So far, UWr has not offered many courses dealing with digitalisation or e-governance in the European Union. The UWr team has filled that gap by offering a new course since 2024 (in English):
Digitalization and Democracy: Friends of Foes?
Prof. Aleksandra Maatsch, Jean Monnet Chair, University of Wroclaw
ABOUT THIS SEMINAR. The goal of this seminar is to study the relation between digitalisation and democracy. On the one hand, the literature stresses that digitalization has the potential to enhance democracy by increasing efficiency and transparency of proceeding but also by strengthening the connection between citizens and political institutions. On the other hand, there are studies demonstrating that authoritarian or backsliding states employ digitalization in order to supress democracy and citizens’ rights. In democratic states digitalization can also become a threat to democracy if digital measures are introduced in the absence of adequate security framework.
Against that background, the seminar poses the following questions: What is the impact of digitalization on democracy and democratic institutions? Are digitalization and democracy friends or foes? Under which circumstances digitalization fosters democracy? As we all have observed, digitalization has accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, allowing people to conduct their professional work or education during the period of social distancing. Political institutions were equally affected: they had to come up with adjustment measures helping them to fulfil their constitutional roles during unusual circumstances. The seminar has a strong empirical focus and pays particular attention to the application of digital tools, including also AI, by national parliaments.
HOW WILL I LEARN? Activities will take place every teaching week. Our seminars will have various forms: (a) “hands-on-literature” sessions, (b) guest talks by visiting scholars and experts and (c) hands-on-data sessions.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESED? A research report (60%) presentation of literature (30%) and participation in discussions (10%).
FURTHER INFORMATION. If you wish to enquire about the seminar before the semester begins, feel free to contact prof. Aleksandra Maatsch (aleksandra.maatsch@uwr.edu.pl), or visit the Jean Monnet Chair webpage www.redemo.eu for further information about the past and future activities of the Chair.
Recent Comments