MMED8007 - Digital Culture

Title:Digital Culture
Long Title:Digital Culture
Module Code:MMED8007
  
Duration:1 Semester
Credits: 5
NFQ Level:Advanced
Field of Study: Multimedia
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2017/18 ( September 2017 )
Module Delivered in 4 programme(s)
Module Coordinator: VALERIE RENEHAN
Module Author: FRANK O DONOVAN
Module Description: ”Cyber-cultural Studies” provides a comprehensive exploration of the impact of the internet and digital technologies on our personal, social and cultural lives. Referencing contemporary works in the fields of ethnography, cultural anthropology, sociology, psychology, and the young discipline of cultural studies itself the module provides the learner with an opportunity to analyse and reflect on the social and cultural influence of their chosen discipline.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
LO1 Describe philosophical concepts related to ‘culture’ within the context of the ‘digital age’;
LO2 Apply appropriate research methods to the study of specific cultural phenomenon;
LO3 Analyse the rituals, beliefs and idiosyncrasies of different cultural models;
LO4 Evaluate the essential methods and results of current inter-cultural research and discourse.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
More
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 

Module Content & Assessment

Indicative Content
Individuality and Identity in the Digital Age
Presentation of the individual in a digital age - individuality and identity in a virtual world. (Re)construction of self, changing modes of communication and representation (avatars, blogs, web cams, chat rooms, etc);
The Network Society and Virtual Communities
The digital community: the ‘network’ society, communities – virtual and real. Social networks and the emergence of virtual communities. Social relationships - ethnic groups and their relation to nature; family, values, and ritual; religion as a cultural system; genesis of stereotypes
Globalisation and Cultural Values
Globalisation of communication – impact on cultural values. Democracy and control, censorship and the rights of the individual;
The Digital Divide and E-Democracy
The digital divide - definitions, structure, composition. Democracy and control in the digital age
Researching the Web
Why research the web? Challenges of web research. Web research methodologies.
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work100.00%
Course Work
Assessment Type Assessment Description Outcome addressed % of total Assessment Date
Project Podcast creation exercise based on emerging technologies and future trends. 1,2,4 40.0 Week 6
Presentation In class 'Pecha Kucha' style presentation based on a contemporary digital culture topic of their choice. The topic should be decided on by week 03 and researched over the duration of the semester. The research should also be documented in an online journal/blog. 1,2,3,4 30.0 Week 12
Reflective Journal An online blog or journal documenting self initiated research for the 'in class' presentation in week 12. 1,2 30.0 Every Week
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Description Hours Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload
Lecture The cultural and philosophical implications of communications technology 3.0 Every Week 3.00
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) The study of key primary and secondary sources, 4.0 Every Week 4.00
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 

Module Resources

Recommended Book Resources
  • John Markoff 2006, What the Dormouse Said: How the Sixties Counterculture Shaped the PC Industry [ISBN: 0143036769]
  • Andrew Keen 2007, The cult of the amateur, Currency Doubleday New York [ISBN: 0385520816]
  • Andrew Keen 2015, The Internet is Not the Answer, Atlantic Books UK [ISBN: 978-178239343]
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Bell, D 2001, Introduction to Cyberculture, 1st Ed., Routledge [ISBN: 978-041524659]
  • Steven Johnson 2006, Everything Bad is Good for You [ISBN: 1594481946]
  • Henry Jenkins 2008, Convergence culture, New York University Press New York [ISBN: 0814742955]
  • Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen 2014, The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business, John Murray UK [ISBN: 978-184854622]
  • John Naughton 2012, From Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: What You Really Need to Know About the Internet, Quercus London [ISBN: 978-085738426]
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 

Module Delivered in

Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_HMMED_8 Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Creative Digital Media 7 Mandatory
CR_HDMTE_8 Certificate in Digital Media Design and Development 1 Elective
CR_GMUTE_9 Master of Arts in Music and Technology 1 Elective
CR_GMUST_9 Master of Science in Music and Technology 1 Elective