Studium Digitale

Digital Society Initiative

In order to understand today's society as a whole and to be able to study successfully, one must understand what "digitization" is. That is why one needs basic digital literacy. The aim of the online lecture "Studium Digitale", developed by the Digital Society Initiative at the UZH, is to provide an initial introduction to this broad and complex topic.

We will start at the beginning with the question of what exactly digitization actually means. Furthermore, the lecture will answer the following questions: What is a computer? What is the difference between data, information and knowledge? How can analog data become digital? How do you store data or integrate it with other data? What analysis options are available and how can results be effectively visualized? What exactly is the difference between a programming language and a language like German or Italian? What is "Computational Thinking" and why is it helpful think a little bit like a computer sometimes? What exactly is an algorithm? What can artificial intelligence do - today and tomorrow? What happens when a machine learns and what happens to a society for which this is becoming more and more normal? Who actually invented the Internet and what was before 'social media'? What does ethics mean in a digital world? Who owns data and what is "data protection law"?

Finally, it is all about the acquisition of digital skills that make studying easier and directly affect everyday life at university. It is about the efficient handling of one's own data (e.g. storing one's own documents) and digital collaboration for group work. It is also about sustainability, diversity and inclusion in the contact of digitization.

Central contents and applications of digital data processing and technology should be understood. Basic questions in the context of digitization should be classified and critically reflected. Passing the exam successfully will demonstrate solid basic knowledge in the fields of:

1. Data and Information
2. Programming and Computational Thinking
3. Digital society and digital studies

Furthermore, students should learn how to structure their own digital work processes and how to use digital tools in a meaningful way in their studies.

The Studium Digitale is aimed at all Bachelor students at the UZH.

OLAT online lecture

The course will be held in German.

3 ECTS

(Online-Exam, Multiple Choice)