Computer Mediated Communication

Subject LING30011 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 1 x 2-hour lecture per week and 6 x 1-hour tutorials scheduled across the semester
Total Time Commitment: 3 contact hours/week, 6 additional hours/week. Total of 9 hours per week.
Prerequisites: Completion of at least 12.5 points at first year in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics or one of the Faculty of Arts’ Interdisciplinary Foundation (IDF) subjects
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements: For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements for this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Paul Gruba

Contact

p.gruba@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject examines the role of language in computer-mediated communication (CMC). It introduces students to a range of theoretical issues, with reference to both interpersonal and group interactions, and discusses distinctive research methodologies that are associated with each approach. In this subject, we see the Internet as an interactive medium of communication as we explore how CMC operates in diverse social, cultural and linguistic areas. Through exposure to a variety of electronic tools used in CMC, we cover topics that include language expression, online relationships, virtual worlds, CMC discourse and second language learning. Upon completion of the subject, students will be better able to recognise how CMC may affect language use in contemporary society, and be better able to analyse the complex interplay of language and online technologies.
Objectives:
  • Be familiar with the social, cultural and linguistic issues of computer-mediated communication.
  • Gain experience using CMC tools that utilise different modes of communication.
  • Be able to understand how technical mediation affects language use and discourse.
  • Better able to understand complex interplays between language use and online communication.
Assessment: A written class paper of 1000 words 25% (due during semester), a written class paper of 3000 words 75% (due at the end of semester).
Prescribed Texts:

Materials prepared by the School
Recommended Texts:

Herring, S. C. (1996). Computer-mediated communication: Linguistic, social and cross-cultural perspectives. Amsterdam: John Benjamin
Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have developed their skills in critical evaluation of the impact of electronic communication of individuals and societies.
  • have increased their critical self-awareness as related to using computer-mediated communication tools.
  • have developed their written communication skills through essy preparation and writing.
  • have acquired a solid grounding in the use of computer-mediated communication tools.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Cross Cultural Communication
Cross Cultural Communication
English Language Studies
Linguistics && Applied Linguistics
Linguistics && Applied Linguistics Major
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics

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