Media Futures and New Technologies

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Total expected time commitment is 170-hours across the semester, including class time.

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100-303 Media Futures and New Technologies

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/

This subject examines the pressures of technological change on contemporary media institutions and communications practices. Students will be introduced to key debates about media convergence, the relationship between technological change and media practices, and the shift from mass communication to networked communication. A range of case studies drawn from different media sectors including photography, the music industry, television, cinema, and the Internet will be complemented by examination of emerging practices such as video games, digital art and surveillance. Students completing the subject will be able to develop a critical understanding of the forces affecting how new technology is adopted, and will be able to identify the major pressures shaping the media-communications industries in the future.

On completion of the subject students should have:

• the ability to understand the nexus between broader theories of technological change and the transformation of media and communications industries;
• the ability to recognise and explain the differences between analogue and digital media with reference to specific case studies;
• gained a detailed understanding of the key issues new media technologies raise for contemporary media institutions and communications practices;
• developed the capacity for high level analysis and conceptual sophistication in order to critically assess the future for different media sectors using approaches drawn from media and communication studies;
• be able to effectively communicate their ideas in both written and oral forms, contribute to group discussions, and engage with the views expressed by other students whose disciplinary and cultural backgrounds may differ.

A short essay of 1500 words 30% (due mid-semester), a research report of 2500 words 55% (due in the examination period), a short oral presentation of approximately five minutes 5% (done in class throughout the semester) and tutorial participation 10%.

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.

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

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

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.

Students who successfully complete this subject will:

• be able to identify appropriate analytical frameworks to effectively communicate their ideas in both written and oral forms;
• be able to contribute to group discussion, and to engage with the views expressed by other students;
• be able to organise their personal study to reflect on their own learning processes and to complete assessment tasks in a timely manner.

This subject is available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications), BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce and the BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws. Students who have completed 100-221 Media Future and New Technologies are not eligible to enrol in this subject.