Communication Technologies and Change (8131.5)

This unit addresses the mutually constitutive relationship between communication practices, institutions and technologies and the social, economic and political worlds in which we live.It explores the relationship between technological change and change in social, cultural, political and economic practices, processes and institutions. Contemporary discourses in the field - from 'the information society' to 'globalisation', from 'cultural imperialism' to 'post-colonialism' and from 'medium theory' to 'neo-luddism. come under close scrutiny. We assume no one dominant theoretical perspective on these issues, so an important goal of the subject is to make students aware of different theoretical approaches and foci.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to demonstrate:
1. Critical and analytical understanding of various approaches to technology, communication and society;
2. Familiarity with emerging concepts regarding media technologies; and
3. A viewpoint of social policy issues in communication and media technologies.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Incompatible units

None

Equivalent units

None

Assumed knowledge

None