Course Description
Information technology and systems are reshaping our societies. Those involved in technology design and development have a chance to work towards social justice and sustainability. But how? Despite the enormous potential of IT to make the world a better place, actual tech development practice often reinforces inequality, fossil fuel production and other unjust and unsustainable aspects of our societies. The rising refusal of tech workers to build what they consider “evil” tech is a reminder that it doesn’t have to be that way. But how can those involved in systems design exercise professional responsibility and ethical judgment? What is the room for maneuver that we have available in systems design to make the world a more just and sustainable place? And what do we need to understand about computational systems, engineering methods and social theory to make meaningful contributions and interventions in this space?
This course explores the role and potential of systems design in social justice and sustainability. It connects discourses that have long run separately but are converging – social justice, sustainability, information technology, science and technology studies, design, computing, and systems thinking. Beyond exposing the implications of technology companies and organizations in injustice and exploitation, this course focuses on the space of technology design methods in practice. By examining concrete projects and ongoing technological developments through a range of theoretical lenses, we explore the political nature of software and information systems development, some cognitive and psychological issues in decision making in systems design, and the responsibilities and opportunities of different stakeholders in the design process to enact change.
This course can be used to fulfil either the “Professional Values” Professional Requirement or the “Critical Perspectives” Professional Requirement.
Prerequisites: Completion of 3.5 credits.
Note: Formerly INF2230H Just Sustainability Design. Effective September 1, 2026 the course title is “Information Technology, Sustainability, and Social Justice”.