The Internet is a medium undergoing constant change, while also becoming progressively integrated into everyday life.
Web Transformations critically examines recent changes in the technology, language, design and social networking on the
internet. It introduces key skills in evaluation, strategy, interaction design and writing for the web within a historical context.
Beyond the web, it evaluates the implications of emerging applications such as mobile technologies, internet of things and social media.

Are online encounters different from face-to-face encounters? What is the difference between the real and the virtual?
How do online identities relate to offline identities? This unit of study introduces students to key perspectives, themes and
debates in the expanding world of online interaction and cultural production including social media, art, games, virtual
worlds, augmented reality and participatory culture. Is the term 'cyberworld' redundant in a world where online and
offline experiences, cultural forms and identities have become increasingly enmeshed?

Digital Arts explores the ways digital and new media technologies are being used to transform cultural production, distribution and reception in the visual and performing arts, film and popular culture. Students will learn about the changing aesthetic, cultural and technical dimensions of new digital technologies and will develop the critical and analytical tools with which to
discuss and evaluate digital art works and the ways that audiences interact with them.

Computer games have emerged as distinctive cultural forms, with their own aesthetics, design cultures, user communities and academic study. This unit of study uses historical and critical theories on games and play to explore how computer games work and to examine their complex interrelationships with culture. Drawing on readings from games studies, new media and design, students will analyse a range of different games and use hands-on exercises to develop their own game design concept.

Technology and Culture analyses the relationships between technological developments and cultural change, with a particular focus on digital media. This unit of study interrogates the changing conceptions of technology in society by tracing the influence of key works in the critical Humanities and social sciences. Through close readings and provocative discussion of advanced texts, students explore the significance of technology in social power, identity, gender, social shaping, class, space, assemblages, actor-networks, experience, thought, time, and the future.

How do people use new media technologies? To answer this question you need to know how to conduct research: a systematic investigation using carefully chosen and ethically sound methods. In this unit students prepare a research proposal to improve knowledge about the social implications of the latest developments in information technologies. They build their methodology by choosing a combination of methods: ethnography, interviews, surveys, online methods, discourse analysis, content analysis or case studies.

In the Honours program, students are expected to attend weekly Honours seminars and also attend Departmental seminars. All students will submit a thesis of 18000-20000 words on an approved topic. Additional assessments will focus on research design, methodology and critical readings undertaken primarily in first semester. For more information, contact Dr Megan Le Masurier, Honours coordinator.

Refer to ARIN4011

Refer to ARIN4011

Refer to ARIN4011