Mind, Communication and Technology

19.10.2026 - 18.12.2026

5 cr

Online

This fully online course uses pre‑recorded lectures and learning materials to introduce cognition and Human–Technology Interaction (HTI) as a multidisciplinary, communication‑intensive field. It examines cognitive and affective processes in HTI at individual and collective levels, emphasizing how these processes shape—and are shaped by—technological systems within wider social and environmental contexts. Adopting a sustainability‑oriented and critical perspective, the course explores how cognition, emotion, and communication inform responsible, inclusive, and sustainable technology design and user experience. Key topics include cognitive science, distributed cognition, communication and interaction design, and the role of cognition and emotion in user experience, with sustained attention to ethical, social, and sustainability implications of HTI. Assessment is based on active participation in online discussions, the scientific quality of contributions following academic conventions, and short multiple‑choice quizzes after each lecture.

Contains

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No active implementations at present.

Additional information and registration

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Additional information:

Fields

Social sciences

Scope

5 cr

Code

VIEK2036

Explain the multidisciplinary origins of cognitive science and its relevance to interaction and communication design
Understand the basic principles of cognition, including individual, distributed, and collective cognitive processes
Discuss fundamental HTI design topics such as usability, user experience, and communication in technological systems
Analyze relationships between humans and computational systems (e.g. artificial intelligence and robotics) in the context of contemporary HTI phenomena such as human–AI interaction, robot interaction, social media, and streaming services
Critically reflect on the social, ethical, and sustainability implications of HTI, including impacts on human well-being, inclusion, responsibility, and long-term societal development
Consider how cognition, communication, and interaction design contribute to the development of responsible and sustainable technologies within broader socio-technical systems
Formulate and reflect on potential research ideas and questions based on the course content

Mandatory Material:

Stenning, K., Calder, J., & Lascarides, A. (2006). Introduction to cognition and communication. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. https://tritonia.finna.fi/uva/Record/tria.290133(Opens in a new tab)
Saariluoma, P., Hautamäki, A., Kamppinen, M.. (2001). Moderni kognitiotiede. Helsinki: Gaudeamus. https://tritonia.finna.fi/uva/Record/tria.114959(Opens in a new tab)

Supplementary Material:
3. Thagard, P. (2008). Hot thought: Mechanisms and applications of emotional cognition. MIT press. https://tritonia.finna.fi/uva/Record/nelli07.1000000000465591(Opens in a new tab)
4. Hiltunen, E., & Hiltunen, K. (2014). Teknoelämää 2035. Miten teknologia muuttaa tulevaisuuttamme. https://tritonia.finna.fi/uva/Record/tria.341651(Opens in a new tab)

Organiser

University of Vaasa

Contact details

avoinyo@uwasa.fi

029 449 8004

Belongs to themes:

Society and interaction

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