KDDC 2EN15 - Decentralized Future: Blockchain, Crypto, and Web3

Decentralized Future: Blockchain, Crypto, and Web3 is an interdisciplinary course designed for students from diverse backgrounds who are eager to gain a thorough understanding of blockchain technology, its foundational principles, and its transformative potential across society and economies. What differentiates public from private blockchains? What are open and decentralized networks, and how do consensus mechanisms function? How does blockchain leverage cryptography? If Bitcoin represents digital cash, what additional value do Ethereum and smart contracts offer?

Peer-to-peer networks represent the new social morphology of our societies. While the web enabled the exchange of information, blockchains enable the exchange of value.

The course will cover programmable money and decentralized finance (DeFi), as well as the impact of blockchains in other fields and sectors, such as identity, energy, climate and supply chains. The course will also address how blockchains offer an opportunity to challenge the governance of our organizations and institutions, the transparency of their actions, and, ultimately, their effectiveness in a world with finite resources.

Students are required to register on WordPress before the first session (a link will be provided later).

The course's teaching approach emphasizes technical context-setting, analysis of real-world use cases, bridging theory and practice, and critical discussions.

The final session will be dedicated to the examination.

Students are expected to independently research one project or technology. During each session, small groups of 2-3 students will undertake a task focused mainly on definitions, to be completed by the following week.