Perspectives on Digital Platforms (MECM90015)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
| Availability | June |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores critical perspectives on digital platforms within media and communications studies. Digital platforms incorporate databases, algorithms, interfaces and infrastructures, and now play a significant role in mediating digital economies, cultural practices and social relations. Students will examine various theoretical, historical and methodological approaches for analyzing digital platforms, including their histories and social impacts. Within the subject workshops, students will consider debates around technology innovation, change and adoption, whilst also undertaking a research project to apply these ideas to a specific feature or function of a digital platform.
Intended learning outcomes
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- undertake both independent and group research into digital media technologies, histories, and practices;
- demonstrate a high-level understanding of various research frameworks, methods and theories in the study of digital media;
- critically reflect on processes of innovation, change and adoption in media and communications technologies; and
- engage in informed discussion about the social and political implications of digital platforms.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- identify and apply appropriate research methods and theoretical frameworks for independent study of digital media;
- demonstrate a high-level of written and oral communication skills;
- work effectively as a member of a team in developing, researching, and presenting a project; and
- demonstrate a high level of competence in reading, synthesising, and presenting relevant research and theoretical material.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Class presentation
| During the teaching period | 25% |
Essay plan
| Early in the teaching period | 15% |
Final reflective essay
| Late in the teaching period | 60% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 100% of classes in order to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- June
Principal coordinator Bjorn Nansen Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: 1x2-hour workshop and 1x2-hour seminar, taught intensively over six days in June. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 17 June 2020 to 26 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 19 June 2020 Census date 17 July 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 September 2020 Assessment period ends 15 October 2020 June contact information
Email: nansenb@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is taught intensively of six days in June.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) Media and Communications Specialisation (formal) Cultural Studies - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
Last updated: 3 November 2022