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TIK4021 - Innovation and global challenges

Course content

In modern economies creation of knowledge and the use of knowledge is regarded as the main facto behind dynamic economic development. This is the case both for developing and developed societies. The course will present recent theoretical development within innovation theory, and relate this to contemporary social and economic challenges.
The course focuses on how innovation studies and innovation theory can contribute to discussions of global issues like

• Knowledge based economic dynamics
• Transition of energy systems
• Role of public policy in modern economy

The course will focus on three main topics:
Firstly, differences in growth and dynamics between sectors, countries and regions. This will include critical approaches to how we analyse the role of sectors and regions in economic development. The students will dicuss to what extent specific sectors are more important for growth than others, including the ‘resource curse’ hypothesis argueing an inverse realtion between growth and natural resources in the economy. This is a revant approach for analysis of growth both for developing ad developed economies
Secondly, the course will discuss system transition. This topic is closely linked to the existing innovation system theory and discusses how to move from one type of system to an new type of system. This is particularly linked to energy technologies. The climate challenge demands a transition from large technological systems based on fossile fuel to renewable energy. How is it possible to implement such a transition?
Thirdly, the role of public knowledge institutions or infrastructures, like universities, role in innovation processes and systems. This part will analyse the changing role of the university. We will discuss policies and strategies for how academic knowledge can be disseminated into the economy, public sector and the larger society.
The teaching will be linked to ongoing resarch projects at the TIK centre.
All students will participate in a case study (group work) and will prerent a report on the study.
The students are expected to have som basic knowledge in innovation studies before they enter the course.

Learning outcomes

Students should be familiar with recent developments within theory in innovation studies. They should be able to discuss how the theories can be used in analysis of contemporary policy and economic issue; like dynamics of modern knowledge based economies, the role of universities, and transition towards new climate technologies.

Admission

The course is applicable for master programme students from humanities/social sciences. Students passed the course TIK4001 - Teknologi, innovasjon og kunnskap have a priority, other students are admitted if capacity.

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

A Bachelor Degree in Social Sciences, Humanities or equal.

Recommended prior knowledge

TIK4001 - Teknologi, innovasjon og kunnskap

Overlap

The course is equal to the first part of the course (specialisation) TIK4020, who are split into TIK4021 and TIK4040 (Design Seminar).

Teaching

The lectures will take place in a period of six weeks, from 1st Monday of February to medio March. There will be about 4 lectures every week.

Exam information

All students must pass the home exam essay (one week). The essay must not exceed 8000 words, including references.

Language of examination

English.
If there are no exchange students attending the course, Norwegian may be teaching language.

Assessment and grading

Students are awarded either a passing or a failing grade. Read more about the grading system .

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

Students who due to illness or other valid reason of absence were unable to write the essay/outline, may apply for an extension on the deadline. Documentation of valid reasons for absence must be submitted.

Evaluation of this course

Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".

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