136-205 Cybersociety

Formerly available as 103-005. Students who have completed 103-005 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. Students who have completed 103-210/310 are not eligible to enrol in this subject. For Science third year, see 136-305 Cybersociety (Science 3).

Usually 75 points of first year study across any discipline area.

In this subject students will engage in a study of high-technology and information systems in a social and cultural context, and will examine critical issues which lie at the intersection of the social and the technical. Topics covered include cybernetics, cyberspace, cyborgs and other 'cybers', virtual lives and virtual communities, the information economy, privacy and surveillance, digital convergence, multimedia and hypermedia, and techno-utopian and dystopian visions. Students will participate in theoretical work and 'hands-on' experience. Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to critically analyse and evaluate controversial issues relating to information systems in the social context, argue credible positions in relation to these controversies, and be able to identify and draw upon the major theoretical and methodological discourses through which the relationship between information systems and society might be understood.

• conduct independent research;

• make appropriate use of primary and secondary sources in mounting an argument.

An essay of 2000 words 50% (due at the end of semester), an essay of 1000 words 25% (due in week 4), a seminar presentation of 800 words 20% (due throughout the semester) and contribution to an on-line discussion 5% (due throughout the semester).

A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Book Shop.