Skip to main content
Unit of study_

ARIN2620: Everyday Digital Media

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

How we eat, sleep, talk, love, shop, work, play, learn and die are all shaped by digital media. Everyday digital media focuses on the transformation of self and society through the digital mediation of everyday practices. How do we organise our social lives and engage creatively in online realms? What are the opportunities and risks of sharing and self-presentation in networked publics? How are communities reconfigured in a digital context? This unit introduces theories of digital culture and identity and applies them to our everyday experiences and interactions with social media, participatory culture, locative media, computer games, virtual reality, smart homes and connected cities.

Unit details and rules

Unit code ARIN2620
Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
ARIN2200
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in ARIN or MECO or SIEN or DECO or DESN or 12 credit points in WRIT1001 and (ATHK1001 or ATHK1901)
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Justine Humphry, justine.humphry@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Justine Humphry, justine.humphry@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Jen Grinham, jennifer.grinham@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Take-home exercise 1
Short answer.
25% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2023 at 23:59
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Research essay
Long answer/essay.
40% Week 10
Due date: 05 May 2023 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment Take-home exercise 2
Long answer/essay.
25% Week 13
Due date: 26 May 2023 at 23:59
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Participation Participation
Participation online, in tutorial activities and attendance.
10% Weekly ongoing
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4

Assessment summary

1) Take Home Exercise 1 (1,250 words) Weighting: 25% 

2) Research essay (2,000 words) Weighting: 40%​

3) Takehome Exercise 2 (1,250 words) Weighting: 25%

4) Participation (ongoing) Weighting: 10%

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction: what is everyday digital media? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 02 The digital self: identity and self-presentation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Networked publics and imagined audiences Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Memes and participatory culture Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Selfies and Surveillance Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Mobile media and everyday spaces Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Intimate connections (and disconnections) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Algorithms and quantification of self Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Toxic technocultures and hashtag feminisms Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Digital racism and antiracism Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Digital inequalities in everyday life Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Work and play in digital economies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Conclusion and review Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on Canvas. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.

  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Reading List, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. explain and analyse the role of everyday digital practices, interactions and routines in the transformation of self and society.
  • LO2. translate personal experiences and larger social issues into a scholarly form relevant for social research.
  • LO3. critically evaluate the efficacy of different arguments and perspectives in relation to contemporary debates about digital media, identity and social relations.
  • LO4. demonstrate the ability to understand key concepts and use them creatively and independently to understand larger contextual problems.
  • LO5. apply independent learning and collaborative research skills towards the crafting of well-supported and insightful arguments about digital media and society.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

The unit has been reviewed and updated based on student surveys and teacher feedback. Some new readings have been introduced and assessment questions and delivery mode have been modified.

The unit will be provided in online/remote mode in Semester 1, 2021.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.