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. As students progress through the Digital Cultures major, they explore the interfaces between digital media technologies and cultural practices involving information, play, sociality, communication, work, knowledge, identities and power. They build a rich understanding of how new technologies are designed, circulated, regulated and consumed. Topics covered in the Digital Cultures major include digital histories and futures, the internet, social media, computer games, online identities, mobile media, virtual communities, algorithmic culture, 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.
The Department of Media and Communications also offers the Open Learning Environment units OLES2107 Digital Influence Through Social Media and 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.
Learning outcomes
| No. | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate extensive knowledge of the contemporary cultural changes in media, communication and digital technologies. |
| 2 | Apply disciplinary skills and theoretical knowledge in digital cultures to reflect critically on and analyse the role of digital technologies in the production, distribution and consumption of knowledge, culture and identity. |
| 3 | Demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of the critical humanities and qualitative social sciences to theories regarding the interrelationships between technology and culture. |
| 4 | Apply disciplinary and interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to further their own work in digital cultures and make a positive contribution to other communities. |
| 5 | Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of oral, written, visual and electronic communication genres through analysis and production. |
| 6 | Apply creative problem solving skills to conceive of, develop and present ideas for specific briefs, clients and audiences, and demonstrate ethical integrity and responsibility. |
Advanced Coursework
In the Bachelor of Advanced Studies offered through the School of Literature, Art and Media (SLAM) students will engage in advanced seminars that complement their individual research in project units. In SLAM 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. 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, technology, literature and art in creative ways.
Requirements and units of study for advanced coursework can be found on the Digital Cultures advanced coursework units of study page.
Honours
In the honours program, students enrol in two honours seminar units and submit a thesis of 18,000-20,000 words on an approved topic. 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 and Associate Dean.
Students interested in pursuing honours are advised to contact the honours coordinator and a potential supervisor by October 1 of the year prior to the intended Honours year. This will allow for sufficient time for students to work on a research proposal to be approved dy the department by November 1 and meet University application deadlines.
Honours admission requirements
Admission into Honours is via the Bachelor of Advanced Studies or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and requires the completion of a major in Digital Cultures with an average of 70 percent or above and, where undertaking the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, 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.
Contacts 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: ARIN1001 The Past & Futures of Digital Cultures | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Core: ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media | |
| Sem 2 |
Core: ARIN2610 Internet Transformations |
||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 |
Interdisciplinary project unit: FASS3999 / ARIN3999 Interdisciplinary Impact |
Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed for major |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures | Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed for major | |
Digital Cultures minor pathway
| Digital Cultures minor | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 | Core: MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN1001 The Past & Futures of Digital Cultures | |
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Core: ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN2610 Internet Transformations | |
| Year 3 | Sem 1 | Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed in the Digital Cultures major table |
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures | |
Digital Cultures advanced coursework pathway
| Digital Cultures major and advanced coursework pathway |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 |
Core: MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies |
|
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN1001 The Past & Futures of Digital Cultures | ||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Core: ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media | |
| Sem 2 |
Core: ARIN2610 Internet Transformations |
||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 |
Interdisciplinary project unit: FASS3999 / ARIN3999 Interdisciplinary Impact |
Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed for major |
| Sem 2 |
Core: ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures |
Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed for major | |
| Year 4 | Sem 1 | Selective: SLAM4004 Working the Arts and Humanities, or CAVA4001 Art Writing and Artists | Project unit: SLAM4001 SLAM Project: Pasts, Presents, Futures A * |
| Sem 2 | Selective: SLAM4003 Meaning in the Anthropocene | Project unit: SLAM4002 SLAM Project: Pasts, Presents, Futures B * | |
* NB: Students undertaking advanced coursework from the Digital Cultures major have the option to undertake the 12 credit point unit FASS4903 ABC Innovation Research project instead of the 2 x 6 credit point project units SLAM4001 and SLAM4002.
Digital Cultures honours pathway
| Digital Cultures major and honours pathway |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Sem 1 |
Core: MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies |
||
| Sem 2 | Core: ARIN1001 The Past & Futures of Digital Cultures | |||
| Year 2 | Sem 1 | Core: ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media | ||
| Sem 2 |
Core: ARIN2610 Internet Transformations |
|||
| Year 3 | Sem 1 |
Interdisciplinary project unit: FASS3999 / ARIN3999 Interdisciplinary Impact |
Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed for major | |
| Sem 2 |
Core: ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures |
Selective: 3000 level selective unit listed for major | ||
| Year 4 | Sem 1 | Honours: MECO4211 Digital Cultures Honours Thesis 1 | Honours: MECO4113 Theoretical Traditions and Innovations | Honours: MECO4114 Research Methods |
| Sem 2 | Honours: MECO4212 Digital Cultures Honours Thesis 2 | |||