The Internet and Society

Does the Internet pose a risk to Society?

Is it creating a global community, or robbing us of human connection? Is it offering new frontiers in creative freedom, or destroying authenticity and diversity? And is the Internet an opportunity for civic engagement, or a cause of echo chambers and disinformation?

Sociologists have been investigating these questions since the emergence of the World Wide Web in the 1990s, and in this course you will explore the history of scholarship, discover the latest research, and consider the future of the Internet’s complex role in society.

You will look at how online anonymity has affected interpersonal behaviour; you will explore how the pitching of ‘electronic battlefields’ has contributed to fears of growing political polarisation; and you will investigate the impact of the digital divide created by unequal access to the Internet, online censorship, and diverse levels of digital literacy.

Join this course to explore critically the profound effects of the Internet on society and to equip yourself with essential insights for navigating the digital age.

By the end of this course you will:

• Be able to evaluate the impact of the Internet on personal social networks and wider communities.
• Be able to assess critically the role of the Internet in political and cultural change across societies.
• Be able to demonstrate familiarity with key ethical issues related to the Internet, including censorship and unequal access to the Internet.
• Be able to apply key methodologies of Sociology and apply them to studies of the Internet.

This course would suit students in the Social Sciences, especially those with an interest in Sociology, Politics, Information Technology, or Communication and Media Studies. Previous experience of studying Sociology is not required.

Available as a Residential or Online course on the following date:

Session 3: 11th August to 29th August 2025

Click below to find out how to apply.

If you have any questions, or would like to know more, please get in touch via the link below.