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Digital Technology and Social Change (SOCI30012)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
February
Overview
| Availability | February - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject explores how digital technology informs everyday life, but also how society informs the design, development, and use of digital technologies. Using key concepts and theories from the Sociology of Technology field, we can examine the role of new Information & Communication technologies (ICTs) on social change and on different societal dimensions. Particular attention is given to how digital technologies present both social possibilities (e.g., broader access to information and services, new types of self-expression, new forms of social connectedness, etc.) and social problems (e.g., privacy concerns, the digital divide, etc.). Students will study these tensions through the analysis of sociological studies, news, and hands-on digital engagement.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject students should:
- Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and critical awareness of sociological concerns related to the use of digital technologies and their social, historical and global context;
- Demonstrate an ability to apply sociological theories, concepts and evidence to understand the relationships between digital technology and social change;
- Have acquired hands-on experience using digital tools and platforms to present ideas and sociological analyses, both orally and verbally;
- Demonstrate an ability to develop arguments about the social possibilities and social problems of digital technologies by using evidence and evaluating competing explanations.
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Sociology at Levels 1 and 2
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: 22 November 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A research essay
| Mid semester | 25% |
A digital storytelling project
| End of semester | 50% |
A reflective essay
| During the examination period | 25% |
| Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Dates & times
- February
Principal coordinator Jens Zinn Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Total 30 hours: 2 x 1.5-hour seminars and 2 x 1-hour tutorials per week for Weeks 1-6 of the semester. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 10 April 2022 Last self-enrol date 8 March 2022 Census date 18 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 8 April 2022 Assessment period ends 8 May 2022 February contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 22 November 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Readings will be provided online through the subject's LMS site prior to the commencement of semester.
- Subject notes
SOCI30012 Digital Technology and Social Change can be taken as a Breadth subject by non-Bachelor of Arts students.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Sociology - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 22 November 2023