Computer Mediated Communication

Subject LING30011 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2015.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 x 1 hour lecture per week and 10 x 1 hour tutorials scheduled across the semester
Total Time Commitment:

Total of 170 hours.

Prerequisites:

none

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

none

Non Allowed Subjects:

none

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request 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 of 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/

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 CMC. 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. We cover topics that include language expression, online relationships, virtual worlds, CMC discourse and second language learning.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who complete this subject will:

  • Critically evaluate the social, cultural and linguistic issues of computer-mediated communication
  • Proficiently employ online tools that utilise different modes of communication
  • Confidently demonstrate an understanding of how technical mediation affects language use and discourse
  • Understand the complex interplays of language use and online communication

Assessment:
  • Autoethnography of CMC collaboration (1000 words) due in week 5 [20%]
  • Focused CMC analysis (1000 words) due in week 9 [20%]
  • CMC discourse analysis (2000 words) due in week 14 [60%]

This subject has the following hurdle requirements:

  • Regular participation in tutorials is required with a minimum of 75% attendance.
  • All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day and in-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

Prescribed Texts:

Materials prepared by the School

Recommended Texts:

none

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 computer-mediated discourse analysis.
  • have increased their critical self-awareness as related to using computer-mediated communication tools.
  • have developed their written communication skills through essay preparation and writing.
  • have acquired a solid grounding in the use of computer-mediated communication tools.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: English Language - 200 Point Program
English Language Studies
Language Testing - 200 Point Program
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
Linguistics and Applied Linguistics
TESOL - 200 Point Program
Technology in Language Learning - 200 Point Program

Download PDF version.