Digital Communication and Culture

Coursework

Digital media are implicated in many recent transformations in culture, communication, creativity, politics, consumption, work, play and everyday life. The Digital Communication and Cultures postgraduate coursework program investigates the interplay between cultural change and technological innovations. We take a critical and transdisciplinary approach, framing technologies in social, historical and political contexts.

The program is aimed at people pursuing careers in fields where digital media are bringing the greatest changes. These include media, education, museums, web, marketing, publishing, creative industries, social media, mobile media, communications and computer games.

These core units explore key themes in Digital Communication and Cultures:

• ARIN6902 Internet Cultures and Governance
• ARIN6903 Digital Media and Society
• ARIN6904 Games and Mixed Realities
• ARIN6905 Digital Audiences and Creators
• ARIN6906 Emerging Technologies and Issues

Students also choose from over 30 selective and elective units of study in a wide range of disciplines (subject to unit of study prerequisites or the demonstration of relevant competencies for some of these units).

These include units from the Discipline of Media and Communications; English and Writing; Sydney College of the Arts; the Interaction Design and Electronic Arts program in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning; Museum and Heritage Studies; the School of Computer Science; Linguistics; US Studies; and Gender and Cultural Studies.

Capstone experience

Towards the end of their degree, students in the Master of Digital Communication and Culture complete a capstone experience. This can be:

• an internship organised by the Discipline of Media and Communications (MECO6928) (requires discipline permission, high credit average and skills test); or
• a professional project (MECO6935); or
• an advanced media project (MECO6932 or MECO6947 - prerequisites required); or
• a dissertation over two semesters investigating some aspect of cultural change associated with digital technologies (MECO6904 and MECO6905 require discipline permission based on a research proposal, a WAM of 80%+, and availability of a supervisor in the discipline).

Awards and requirements

Please refer to the course resolutions in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses.

Master of Digital Communication and Culture

Candidates for the Master of Digital Communication and Culture must complete 72 credit points typically including:

• 30 credit points of core units of study
• a minimum of 24 and a maximum of 36 credit points of selective units of study
• a maximum of 12 credit points of elective units of study
• a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 credit points of capstone units of study

Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication and Culture

Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication and Culture must complete 48 credit points typically including:

• 24 credit points of core units of study
• a maximum of 24 credit points of selective and elective units of study

Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication and Culture

Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication and Culture must complete 24 credit points typically including:

• 12 credit points of core units of study (you can take additional core units)
• a maximum of 12 credit points of selective and elective units of study

Reduced volume of learning (RVL)

Candidates who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline or have relevant professional experience may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.

Contacts and further information

Contact details can be found on these websites:

• Discipline of Media and Communications
• School of Art, Communication and English