Digital Technology and Social Change

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

Sociology at Levels 1 and 2

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 is an exploration of how digital technology informs everyday life. As digital technologies and communication continue to change rapidly so too does the social landscape. Social media and communicative technologies facilitate new types of self-expression and interactions online; however, at the same time, new digital tools and platforms enable different ways of tracking and marketing personal information, interests and communicative behaviours. This subject pays particular attention to how digital technologies present both social possibilities and the social problems. Students will study these tensions through the analysis of sociological studies, news events and hands-on digital engagement.

On completion of this subject students should:

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and critical awareness of sociological concerns related to the use of digital technologies and their social, historical and global context;

• Demonstrate an ability to apply sociological theories, concepts and evidence to understand the relationships between digital technology and social change;

• Have acquired hands-on experience using digital tools and platforms to present ideas and sociological analyses, both orally and verbally;

• Demonstrate an ability to develop arguments about the social possibilities and social problems of digital technologies by using evidence and evaluating competing explanations.

A research essay of 1000 words (25%) due mid-semester, a digital storytelling project of 2000 words (50%) due at the end of semester, and a reflective essay of 1000 words (25%) due in the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.

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

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.

SOCI30012 Digital Technology and Social Change can be taken as a Breadth subject by non-Bachelor of Arts students.