Cybersociety

Subject 672-325 (2008)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.500
Level: Undergraduate
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2008.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour tutorial/practical session per week
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Usually 75 points of first year study across any discipline area.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: Formerly available as 103-005. Students who have completed 103-005 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Students who have completed 103-210/310 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. .
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Dr Michael Arnold
Subject Overview:

In this subject students will engage in a study of high-technology and information systems in a social and cultural context, and will examine critical issues which lie at the intersection of the social and the technical. Topics covered include cybernetics, cyberspace, cyborgs and other 'cybers', virtual lives and virtual communities, the information economy, privacy and surveillance, digital convergence, multimedia and hypermedia, and techno-utopian and dystopian visions. Students will participate in theoretical work and 'hands-on' experience. Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to critically analyse and evaluate controversial issues relating to information systems in the social context, argue credible positions in relation to these controversies, and be able to identify and draw upon the major theoretical and methodological discourses through which the relationship between information systems and society might be understood.

Assessment: An essay of 2000 words 50% (due at the end of semester), an essay of 1000 words 25% (due in week 4), a seminar presentation of 800 words 20% (due throughout the semester) and contribution to an online discussion 5% (due throughout the semester).
Prescribed Texts: A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Book Shop.
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.
Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • conduct independent research;

  • make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument.
Notes:

Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) will receive science credit for the completion of this subject.

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