New technologies in management and communication WSE-ZP-NTZK

Course Description:
This course is designed for public management students to explore the transformative impact of new technologies on public administration, social processes, and political decision-making. Through a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, students will develop skills in using digital tools (including Microsoft 365) for data collection, social media monitoring, and analyzing public sector challenges. The course emphasizes collaborative learning through team-based projects that examine real-world issues like disinformation, digital governance, and the influence of algorithms on public policy.

Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Understand how new technologies shape public administration and social sciences.
Collect, analyze, and interpret digital data relevant to public policy.
Use Microsoft 365 tools for collaborative research and project management.
Critically evaluate the ethical and social implications of technology in public governance.
Effectively present research findings and lead discussions on technology’s societal impact.
Course Agenda
1. Introduction to New Technologies in Public Management (Week 1)

Course overview and objectives.
Digital transformation in public administration: key trends and challenges.
Introduction to collaborative tools (Microsoft Teams, SharePoint).
2. Digital Data and Its Role in Social Sciences (Week 2)

Sources of digital data in public policy (open data, social media, government platforms).
Ethical and legal aspects of data collection and privacy regulations (GDPR).
Hands-on exercise: Collecting data from public datasets.
3. Social Media Monitoring and Public Sentiment Analysis (Week 3-4)

Tools and techniques for monitoring social media trends.
Analyzing public opinion and policy impact through digital data.
Case study: Use of social media in public crisis management (e.g., NYT/Guardian reports).
Group task: Setting up a social media monitoring project.
4. Algorithms and Their Influence on Public Decision-Making (Week 5-6)

Understanding algorithmic decision-making in public governance.
Case studies: Algorithmic bias in welfare and law enforcement (NYT/Guardian).
Debate: Are algorithms improving or threatening democratic processes?
5. Digital Civic Participation and E-Governance (Week 7-8)

Platforms for digital participation: E-voting, digital petitions, and public consultations.
Comparative analysis: Digital governance models from various countries.
Workshop: Designing a digital participation proposal for a local policy issue.
6. Disinformation and Its Impact on Public Policy (Week 9-10)

Identifying and combating digital misinformation.
Case studies: Election interference and public perception manipulation (Guardian/NYT).
Group project: Analyzing disinformation patterns on social media.
7. Collaborative Digital Tools in Public Management (Week 11)

Advanced use of Microsoft 365 for research collaboration.
Best practices for digital project documentation and reporting.
Practical session: Organizing and sharing research through Microsoft Teams.
8. Group Project Development (Week 12-14)

Guided workshops on refining project topics and methodologies.
Milestone check-ins for data analysis and findings.
Preparing for final presentations and peer feedback sessions.
9. Final Presentations and Public Debate (Week 15-16)