Digital Cultures
About the major
Digital Cultures critically investigates the internet, digital media and emerging technologies and the roles they play in contemporary society, culture, business, politics, the arts and everyday life. As students progress through the Digital Cultures major, they explore the interfaces between emerging new media technologies and cultural practices involving information, communication, knowledge, identities and power, and build a rich understanding of how new technologies are generated, circulated and consumed. Topics covered in the Digital Cultures major include the web; social media; online identities; mobile media; social networks; computer games; virtual communities; digital media production techniques, theories of technology and culture; digital research; and media arts.
The Digital Cultures major places intelligent, interactive, mobile and networked technologies in context, taking a critical approach that draws on sociology, history, philosophy, digital media studies, cultural studies and science and technology studies to understand the dramatic changes emerging as digital media proliferate. Our teaching combines face-to-face coursework with online exercises and practical work in computer labs. Graduates in Digital Cultures are skilled communicators and critical analysts of new technologies and the latest developments in digital media across Australian and global contexts. They are well positioned to take up strategic leadership roles in digital media teams.
Requirements for completion
The Digital Cultures major and minor requirements are listed in the Digital Cultures unit of study table.
Advanced coursework
Requirements and units of study for advanced coursework can be found on the advanced coursework units of study page.
Honours
In the honours program, students enrol in two honours seminar units and submit a thesis of 18,000-20,000 words on an approved topic. Assessments will focus on research design, methodology and critical readings undertaken in first semester. Mid-year enrolment is not available. Part-time enrolment is available with permission from the honours coordinator and Associate Dean.
Students interested in pursuing honours are advised to contact the honours coordinator and a potential supervisor by October 1 of the year prior to the intended Honours year. This will allow for sufficient time for students to work on a research proposal to be approved by the Discipline by November 1 and meet University application deadlines.
Honours admission requirements
Admission to honours is via the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and requires the completion of a major in Digital Cultures with an average of 70 percent or above.
Prior to commencing, you will need to ensure you have completed all other requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or other bachelor degree, including Open Learning Environment (OLE) units. For pre-July 2024 students, where undertaking Bachelor of Advanced Studies, a second major is also required.
Requirements and units of study for honours can be found on the Digital Cultures honours units of study page.
Contacts and further information
Websites: Discipline of Media and Communications
School of Art, Communication and English
