Digital Cultures

Coursework

Digital media are implicated in many recent transformations in culture, communication, creativity, work and everyday life. The Digital Cultures postgraduate coursework programs investigate the interplay between cultural change and technological innovations. We take a critical and transdisciplinary approach, framing technologies in social, historical and political contexts.

The core units explore key topics in Digital Cultures:

• ARIN6901 Network Society
• ARIN6902 Internet Governance
• ARIN6904 Mobile Media and Games
• ARIN6905 New Media Audiences
• ARIN6912 Digital Research and Publishing

The Digital Communication and Culture programs are aimed at people pursuing careers in fields where digital media present the greatest challenges and opportunities. These include media, education, museums, web, marketing, publishing, creative industries, social media, mobile media, IT, telecommunications and computer games.

The elective structure of the DCC programs takes advantage of relevant strengths across the University. We have organised these electives into suggested elective pathways:

• Language and Culture (Arts and Social Sciences)
• Technology in Society (Arts and Social Sciences)
• Interactive Digital Arts (Sydney College of the Arts) **
• Digital Media Design (Architecture) **
• Information Technology (Engineering and IT) **
• Research track option: Develop independent research skills in Digital Cultures, and move towards higher-level academic research.

** For these units you may need to demonstrate relevant competencies to the faculties.

Capstone experience:
Towards the end of their degree, students in the master of Digital Communication and Culture complete a capstone experience. This can be:

• an internship organised by the Department of Media and Communications; or
• Professional Practice (1 semester: MECO6935); or
• a supervised independent project in research or production (1 semester: ARIN6911 Project in Digital Communication; or
• a dissertation (2 semesters: MECO6904 Dissertation Part 1 and MECO6905 Dissertation Part 2), investigating some aspect of cultural change associated with digital technologies

Research is typically interdisciplinary in scope, and may involve interpretive, historical and/or field research with digital media texts, producers or users.

Before you can enrol in the project or dissertation units, contact program coordinator Dr Chris Chesher, submit a research proposal, and give evidence of your academic and professional track record. Admission is conditional upon a viable proposal, a solid credit average, and the availability of appropriate supervision.

Research degrees

The Digital Cultures Program invites expressions of interest for research projects in the MA Research. MPhil and PhD programs exploring themes in digital communication and culture. We can supervise projects on themes such as social media; new media arts; social robotics; computer games; interactive entertainment and cultural aspects of new technologies.


Contact
Digital Cultures website: sydney.edu.au/arts/digital_cultures/

Postgraduate Coordinator: Dr Chris Chesher
Phone: +61 2 9036 6173
Email:

Awards and requirements

Please refer to the degree resolutions in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses. sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts_PG/coursework/masters/digital_cultures.shtml

Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication and Culture
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication and Culture must complete 24 credit points typically including:

• 12 credit points of core units of study
• 12 credit points from elective units of study (can include additional core units)

Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication and Culture
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication and Culture must complete 48 credit points typically including:

• 24 credit points of core units of study
• 24 credit points from elective units of study (can include additional core units)

Master of Digital Communication and Culture
Candidates for the Master of Digital Communication and Culture must complete 72 credit points typically including:

• 24 credit points of core units of study
• 42 credit points from elective units of study (can include additional core units of study)
• at least 6 credit points of capstone units of study

Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.