History of Network Media

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in media and communication, Master of Global Media Communication, Master of Arts (Media and Communication) Advanced Seminar and Shorter Thesis.

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None

Students who have undertaken MECM90015 History and Philosophy of Media are not able to also undertake the revised version MECM90015 History of Network Media.

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/

When, how and why do media change? This subject investigates the intertwined histories of media and ideas about media to understand the emergent paradigm of network media. Drawing on current research projects, the subject will address such topics as the genealogies of contemporary media technologies, mediated democracy, media temporalities and political communication. It will place such projects in the history of philosophical engagement with media, in the process proposing new ways to pose old questions such as "what is the impact of media on society?". Relevant contemporary theories, which might include biopolitical, autonomist, actor-network and complexity approaches, will be studied and applied to the historical processes of media change.

On completion of this subject:

• students will be equipped to undertake research into historical aspects of contemporary media and media philosophy as well as historical topics in media studies; and
• be able to understand processes of innovation, dissemination and adoption in future media.

Class presentation equivalent to 1000 words 25% (due during the teaching period), essay plan of 500 words 10% (due mid-semester), final reflective essay of 3500 words 65% (due in the examination period). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of key problems in media historiography;
• recognise and explain differing methodologies for undertaking media historical research;
• identify and critically engage with the history of media theory; and
• demonstrate a capacity for critical thinking in relation to the the history and philosophy of media understand processes of change in the media.