851-0685-00L  Making Data, Making Worlds: An Introduction to Data Practices

SemesterAutumn Semester 2023
LecturersM. Leese
Periodicityyearly recurring course
Language of instructionEnglish


AbstractData are not neutral representations of external realities, but they are made by humans and imbued with interests, norms, and tacit assumptions. The aim of this course is to establish an understanding of how data matter in our construction and understanding of the world, and to draw attention to practices of their production, management, and regulation.
Learning objectiveAt the end of the term, students will be able to:
• reflect concepts and theories that capture the performativity of data
• reflect concepts and theories that capture the socio-technical nature of data
• assess the implications of data practices for social and political ordering
• identify key actors, sites, and domain contexts of data practices
ContentWeek 1 Introduction: Making data, making worlds
Week 2 How data matter I: Statecraft
Week 3 How data matter II: Medicine
Week 4 How data matter III: Artificial intelligence
Week 5 Making data I: How to measure the world?
Week 6 Making data II: Documentation
Week 7 Data governance I: Privacy and Data protection
Week 8 Data governance II: The right to be forgotten
Week 9 Data governance III: Purpose limitation
Week 10 Taking care of data I: Data quality
Week 11 Taking care of data II: Fixing data
Week 12 Taking care of data III: Preserving data
Week 13 Exam