100-221 Media Futures and New Technologies

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications), BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce, and the BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws.

Completion of 100 points of arts subjects including 25 points of core Media and Communications study at first year.

This subject examines the pressures of technological change on contemporary media institutions and communications practices. Students will be introduced to key debates about media convergence, the relationship between technological change and media practices, and the shift from mass communication societies to networked societies. A range of case studies will be drawn from different sectors of the media including newspapers, photography, the music industry, television, cinema, and the internet. These case studies will be complemented by examination of emerging practices such as digital journalism, 'culture jamming', new entertainment forms and surveillance. Students completing the subject will be able to develop a critical understanding of the forces underlying technological change, and be able to assess the major issues likely to affect the media-communications industries of the future.

Class participation and written work totalling 4000 words. Students must attend at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment.

A subject reader will be available.