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2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5740M New Media Cultures

30 creditsClass Size: 52

Module manager: Dr Helen Thornham
Email: h.thornham@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications


This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

This module provides students with an overview of key issues in the study of new media and the relationship between new media and contemporary culture. The module introduces key concepts that have shaped new media's brief history and that have been said to differentiate new media from older media forms. It develops students' understanding of the cultural, political, economic and technical contexts from which new media and digital communications have emerged. It explores the interactive forms and practices that result from new media.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to demonstrate:
- An in-depth knowledge of contemporary and critical issues in new media;
- The ability to carry out analysis of new media texts in their social and technological context at an advanced level;
- An in-depth knowledge of the core contemporary issues in the study of digital cultures and new media;
- Knowledge and understanding of the relationships between new media, society, culture and economy;
- Familiarity with key debates & writers in the field of new media cultures;
- The ability to analyse, interpret and demonstrate critical judgement of new media cultures and forms from social, technological, cultural & political perspectives;
- The ability to extract information from secondary sources and utilise them in a coherent piece of discursive writing;
- Use of evidence and argument appropriate to post-graduate study.

Skills outcomes
Analysis of new media cultures.


Syllabus

Digitisation and convergence; networks; networked participation; produsage / UGC; database cultures; digital representations of self and identity; re-mix, free and gift cultures; digital narrative and storytelling; publicity/privacy and reputation; hacker/hactivist/activist cultures; video and computer game cultures; mobile and locative media cultures; social media and social media marketing cultures; the political and social implications of new media cultures.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture101.0010.00
Seminar101.0010.00
Private study hours280.00
Total Contact hours20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)300.00

Private study

Students will:
- read set reading and beyond (90 hours)
- carry out research as identified each week (30 hours)
- prepare to present their findings in seminars (10 hours)
- research for and write their assessments (140 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored via participation in seminars, including informal presentations, and tutorials, as well as through mid-module assessment.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay1 x 2,500 - 3,500 words50.00
Case StudyOf one 'new media culture' 2,500 - 3,500 words50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 13/05/2016

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