University of Sydney Handbooks - 2014 Archive

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Digital Cultures

Digital Cultures

ARIN2610 Web Transformations

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr John Tonkin Session: Semester 2,Winter Main Classes: 1x1-hr lecture/week, 1x2-hr workshop/week Prerequisites: (18 junior credit points from (Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Psychology or Sociology)) or (18 Junior credit points from GCST, SCLG, ANTH, ENGL1008, ENGL1026, PHIL1011 or PHIL1013) Prohibitions: ARIN2100 Assessment: 1x1000wd equivalent presentation (20%), 1x2000wd analysis (35%), 1x1500wd equivalent design project (35%), participation (10%)
The Internet is a medium undergoing constant change, while also becoming progressively integrated into everyday life.
Web Transformations critically examines recent changes in the technology, language, design and social networking on the
internet. It introduces key skills in evaluation, strategy, interaction design and writing for the web within a historical context.
Beyond the web, it evaluates the implications of emerging applications such as mobile technologies, internet of things and social media.
ARIN2620 Cyberworlds

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Grant Bollmer Session: Semester 1,Summer Main Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (18 junior credit points from (Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Psychology or Sociology)) or (18 Junior credit points from GCST, SCLG, ANTH, ENGL1008, ENGL1026, PHIL1011 or PHIL1013) Prohibitions: ARIN2200 Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (40%), 1x1500wd report (20%), 1x1000wd case study (20%), participation (20%)
Are online encounters different from face-to-face encounters? What is the difference between the real and the virtual?
How do online identities relate to offline identities? This unit of study introduces students to key perspectives, themes and
debates in the expanding world of online interaction and cultural production including social media, art, games, virtual
worlds, augmented reality and participatory culture. Is the term 'cyberworld' redundant in a world where online and
offline experiences, cultural forms and identities have become increasingly enmeshed?
ARIN2630 Digital Arts

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Kathy Cleland Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (18 junior credit points from (Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Psychology or Sociology)) or (18 Junior credit points from GCST, SCLG, ANTH, ENGL1011, ENGL1008, ENGL1026, PHIL1011 or PHIL1013) Prohibitions: ARIN2300 Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (40%), 1x1500wd art review (30%), 1x1000wd tutorial activity (15%), tutorial participation (15%)
Digital Arts explores the ways digital and new media technologies are being used to transform cultural production, distribution and reception in the visual and performing arts, film and popular culture. Students will learn about the changing aesthetic, cultural and technical dimensions of new digital technologies and will develop the critical and analytical tools with which to
discuss and evaluate digital art works and the ways that audiences interact with them.
ARIN2640 Games and Play

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Mr John Tonkin Session: Semester 1,Winter Main Classes: 1x1-hr lecture/week, 1x2-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: (18 junior credit points from (Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Psychology or Sociology)) or (18 Junior credit points from GCST, SCLG, ANTH, ENGL1008, ENGL1026, PHIL1011 or PHIL1013) Prohibitions: ARIN3640 Assessment: 1x1000wd tutorial activity (20%), 1x2000wd game analysis (40%), 1x1500wd game design project (30%), tutorial participation (10%)
Computer games have emerged as distinctive cultural forms, with their own aesthetics, design cultures, user communities and academic study. This unit of study uses historical and critical theories on games and play to explore how computer games work and to examine their complex interrelationships with culture. Drawing on readings from games studies, new media and design, students will analyse a range of different games and use hands-on exercises to develop their own game design concept.
ARIN3610 Technology and Culture

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Chris Chesher Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 senior credit points from (Digital Cultures, Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Psychology or Sociology) Prohibitions: ARIN2600 Assessment: 1x1500wd influence analysis (30%), 1x2000wd essay (40%), 1x500wd report (20%), tutorial participation (10%)
Technology and Culture analyses the relationships between technological developments and cultural change, with a particular focus on digital media. This unit of study interrogates the changing conceptions of technology in society by tracing the influence of key works in the critical Humanities and social sciences. Through close readings and provocative discussion of advanced texts, students explore the significance of technology in social power, identity, gender, social shaping, class, space, assemblages, actor-networks, experience, thought, time, and the future.
ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Chris Chesher Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2-hr lecture/week, 1x1-hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 senior credit points from Digital Cultures Prohibitions: ARIN2000 Assessment: 1x2000wd research blog (40%), 1x2500wd research proposal (45%), participation (15%)
How do people use new media technologies? To answer this question you need to know how to conduct research: a systematic investigation using carefully chosen and ethically sound methods. In this unit students prepare a research proposal to improve knowledge about the social implications of the latest developments in information technologies. They build their methodology by choosing a combination of methods: ethnography, interviews, surveys, online methods, discourse analysis, content analysis or case studies.
ARIN4011 Digital Cultures Honours A

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Megan Le Masurier Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 2x2-hr seminar/week Prerequisites: Credit average in 48 senior credit points in the Digital Cultures Program including Digital Cultures and elective units of study within the program. Assessment: 1x18000-20000wd thesis on approved topic (60%), 1x12000-13000wd written works (40%)
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Note: Mid year enrolment is not available. Part time enrolment is not available. Students from other institutions may be accepted into the program, and are requested to provide samples of previous academic work as well as a proposal. Please contact the Honours coordinator, ideally by early November in the year prior to intended enrolment.
In the Honours program, students are expected to attend weekly Honours seminars and also attend Departmental seminars. All students will submit a thesis of 18000-20000 words on an approved topic. Additional assessments will focus on research design, methodology and critical readings undertaken primarily in first semester. For more information, contact Dr Megan Le Masurier, Honours coordinator.
ARIN4012 Digital Cultures Honours B

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Megan Le Masurier Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Corequisites: ARIN4011
Refer to ARIN4011
ARIN4013 Digital Cultures Honours C

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Megan Le Masurier Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Corequisites: ARIN4012
Refer to ARIN4011
ARIN4014 Digital Cultures Honours D

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Megan Le Masurier Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Corequisites: ARIN4013
Refer to ARIN4011