Internet Meets Society

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

The internet is now a familiar part of everyday life. But what exactly is the Internet? What is it used for? And how is it implicated in the transformation of society, culture, community and even our own sense of identity? This subject examines these and other critical questions in exploring the complex interplay between the technical and social dimensions of the internet. Among the topics we cover here are the emergence of new forms of media culture, art, and commerce online, the nature and limitations of virtual communities and the implications for personal identity and intimacy, and the complex legal, ethical, and political issues which arise through activity on the internet. Tutorials and lectures will equip students with the knowledge needed to critically appraise the interrelations between the internet and society, and laboratories will be used to build basic technical skills. Students taking this subject will also have “hands-on” experience in participating in an online community.

On successful completion of this subject students should:

• Possess a critical understanding of the Internet as more than a technical phenomenon, but as a socially transformative and disruptive phenomenon
• Be able to provide a multi-disciplinary account of the interplay between technical and social phenomena
• Understand the broader ethical, social and legal implications of the Internet
• Appreciate the open questions that remain in relation to, and conflicting theoretical accounts of, widespread Internet adoption and use
• Experience participation in an online community

• Compulsory participation in both on-line forums and in tutorials (20%) of which 10% is on-line participation and 10% is tutorial participation. Each is based on presence, quality, insight and constructiveness. This assessment will take place throughout the semester, on a week-by-week basis.
• Two written assignments of 40% each. Students choose 2 out of 3 assignment options, each of which is equivalent in difficulty and required effort.
• Each assignment is worth 40%, 2000 word equivalent per assignment
• Students can choose to complete all three assignments, with the two highest scoring assignments counted towards their final grade.
• The first of the assignments will be due mid-semester, and the second at the completion of the semester.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of tutorial classes in order to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. After 5 working days late assessment will not be marked. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Subject readings will be available on-line and extensive use of other on-line resources will be made.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.