Digital Cultures
About the major
Digital Cultures critically investigates the internet, new media and digital technologies and the roles they play in contemporary society, culture, business, politics, the arts and everyday life. Throughout their progress in the Digital Cultures major, students explore the interface between emerging new media technologies and cultural practices involving information, communication, knowledge, identities and power. They build a rich understanding of how new technologies are generated, circulated, regulated and consumed. Topics covered in the Digital Cultures major include the internet, social media, computer games, online identities, mobile media, social networks, virtual communities, theories of technology and culture, digital research, and media arts.
The Digital Cultures major places intelligent, interactive, mobile and networked technologies in context, taking both a critical and interdisciplinary approach that draws on sociology, history, philosophy, media studies, cultural studies and new media studies to understand the dramatic changes emerging as digital media proliferate. Our teaching combines face-to-face coursework with online exercises and practical work in computer labs. Graduates in Digital Cultures are skilled communicators and critical analysts of new technologies and the latest developments in digital media across Australian and global contexts. They are well positioned to develop careers as communicators, producers, strategists, innovators and leaders.
First year introduces digital media within the context of the broader communications landscapes. Second year examines everyday uses of digital media and the internet as a mediator of rapid social change. Third year selective units give you an understanding of theories of technology and culture, games and/or digital arts. Honours equips you with advanced research skills and expertise in your chosen area of digital cultures.
The Department of Media and Communications also offers the following Open Learning Environment units (OLES2107 Digital Influence Through Social Media, OLET2110 Telling True Stories) available from Table O Open Learning Environment (OLE) of the Interdisciplinary Studies handbook.
Requirements for completion
The Digital Cultures major and minor requirements are listed in the Digital Cultures unit of study table.
Honours
In the honours program, students enrol in two honours seminar units. All students will submit a thesis of 18,000-20,000 words on an approved topic, with a research proposal submitted to the honours coordinator by December of the year prior to enrolment. Additional assessments will focus on research design, methodology and critical readings undertaken in first semester. Mid-year enrolment is not available. Part-time enrolment is available with permission from the honours coordinator.
Honours admission requirements
If you commenced your degree prior to 2018: admission to Honours requires a major in Digital Cultures with an average of 70 percent or above.
If you commenced your degree in 2018 or later:
- Admission into Honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies and requires the completion of a major in Digital Cultures with an average of 70 percent or above and completion of a second major.
- Prior to commencing honours, you will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or other bachelor degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units.
Requirements and units of study for honours can be found on the Digital Cultures honours units of study page.
Advanced coursework
The Bachelor of Advanced Studies through the School of Literature, Art and Media (SLAM) offers students a program tailored to their disciplinary interests. Through units of study and individually designed projects, each student, guided by a disciplinary expert, will engage in advanced seminars that complement their individual research in project units. This may be within the study of arts-based practices such as visual art, film, performance and writing, as well as literature, linguistics, or live and digitised media. Each student will be encouraged to develop and apply advanced disciplinary knowledge and methodologies to researching the past, present and future at local, regional and global levels in creative ways. In the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, students will have the opportunity to apply disciplinary knowledges and methodologies to the legacies of the past, the complexities of the present and possible futures in the areas of communication, literature and art.
Requirements and units of study for advanced coursework can be found on the Digital Cultures advanced coursework units of study page.
Contact and further information
Websites: Department of Media and Communications
School of Literature, Art and Media
Example pathways
Digital Cultures major pathway
| Digital Cultures major | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 |
Core: MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies |
|
| Sem 2 | Core: MECO1002 Media and Communications Landscapes | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Core: ARIN2610 Internet Transformations | |
| Sem 2 |
Core: ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media |
||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 |
Interdisciplinary project unit: ARIN3999 Interdisciplinary Impact |
Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major (choose 2 of 3 third year selective units): ARIN3610 Technology & Culture and/or ARIN3640 Games and Play |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures | Selective: 3000-level unit listed for major (choose 2 of 3 third year selective units): ARIN3630 Digital Arts | |
Digital Cultures minor pathway
| Digital Cultures minor | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 | Core: MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies |
| Sem 2 | Core: MECO1002 Media and Communication Landscapes | |
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Core: ARIN2610 Internet Transformations |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media | |
| Year 3 | Sem 1 | Selective: 3000 level unit listed in the Digital Cultures major table |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures | |