Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description The overall aim of this module is to critically assess the impact of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on contemporary society. It analyses the social impact of the Internet, smart phones and emerging media forms. Students will engage with key theoretical concepts of new media and cases studies that illustrate the impact of digital media on social interaction. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Critically assess the impact of the Internet on society. 2. Analyse the effect of communication technologies on social practices and citizen rights. 3. Assess the ideological and psychological impact of computer mediated communication. 4. Discuss key theoretical frameworks in relation to new media forms and society and evaluate student's ability to critically analyse these frameworks. 5. Understand the social inequalities supported by new media forms and its associated issues, such as gender imbalance, lack of digital literacy and the digital divide. 6. Empower students to understand the impact of new media forms on their own social practices and how they can adapt these forms. 7. Critically analyse topics discussed in class and illustrate them through case studies while referring to key theoretical frameworks. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
A Brief History of Computer-mediated Communication Key developments in the history of computer technologies and their impact on how we communicate and interact. New Media and the Society of Control Analysing the influence of code in contemporary society as an element of social, economic and political control. Mobile Lives, Social Media and Social Capital Analysing the impact of mobile communications and social media on everyday life. Privacy and Surveillance Exposing the inner workings of digital media technologies and issues of privacy and surveillance. Reflecting on how we are affected by these issues and how we can address them. Online Identity, Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Body How identity is assembled in the digital age. Issues of representation in virtual spaces and the influence of avatars in contemporary social relations. The current and future impact of artificial intelligence on social practices. Covid-19 (and the Future of New Media) Analysing the fundamental changes that Covid-19 has imposed on social practices worldwide and how new media has come to the forefront to address these changes. Gender and New Media Exposing gender issues associated with new media technologies, work practices and digital content production. Discussing strategies to tackle gender imbalance, abuse and discrimination. The Digital Divide and Digital Literacy Discussing the importance of digital literacy and access to information as a basic human right. Exposing the digital divide at both global and local level (including developed countries). Discussing the importance of broadband implementation government policies and increased virtual exchanges. The Smart City and Urban Media Art Discussing the effect of smart city technologies on individual citizens and how urban media art enables reflection and discussion on the impact of new media forms in urban space. Remix Culture The importance of convergence culture, the rise of the amateur producer, the 'produser' and the emergence of remix culture. Discussing the affordances of new media forms and how they threaten (or reconfigure) dominant forms of mass media production and distribution. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles:
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| I am not able to change the overall assessment breakdown. It needs to be changed to CA 100%. Thanks, Marcos | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||