COMMS 300 : New Media and the Future of Communication

Arts

2020 Semester Two (1205) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Explores theories and practices of communication in the digital age. The course analyses contemporary debates and controversies about the impact of new digital media platforms on the nature and ethics of communication. Examines the implications for the future in terms of opportunities and risks for individuals, communities and institutions in an environment of rapidly advancing communication technologies.

Course Overview

How is communication changing in the digital age and how will it change in the future? Digital platforms and devices have profoundly affected the way individuals, organisations, communities and governments communicate. 
 
In this course we explore the impact of twenty-first century developments on the communications landscape. In particular, we consider how the web, mobile communication and social media have altered not only the way we communicate but also the ethical controversies surrounding digital communication. Such ethical issues include: privacy; human relationships; conflict and harassment online; copyright and piracy; and the power of new media corporations. 
 
But we do not restrict our attention only to the present - we also look forward to developments in technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, wearable computing and smart cities. We explore the likely impact of such developments on the nature and ethics of communication in the future. 
 
This course is designed not only for new media enthusiasts but equally for those who may find themselves sceptical, bewildered or ambivalent in the face of rapidly developing communication technology.

The course is taught primarily by the convenor, normally with support from a tutor and occasional guest lecturers. In-class hours comprise one two-hour lecture per week plus one hour-long tutorial per week. Tutorials normally include hands-on exercises involving digital technologies (although no prior technical knowledge is required) and working in small groups of five or six students. 

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: 15 points from COMMS 200-208 and 15 points in BA courses Restriction: FTVMS 203, 314

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Bachelor of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Evaluate competing claims about the future of communication made by opinion leaders, futurists, corporations and researchers. (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3 and 3.1)
  2. Apply insights and ideas from multiple fields to develop a rich understanding of the past, present and future of communication technologies (Capability 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 and 3.1)
  3. Communicate persuasively about future scenarios involving digital communication technologies (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 5.2)
  4. Demonstrate understanding of the ways in which history, culture, politics and economics shape and are shaped by communication technologies (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.3 and 6.3)
  5. Demonstrate understanding 0f the varied and uneven consequences of new communication technologies for peoples around the world, including specific implications for Aotearoa New Zealand society (Capability 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Quizzes 20% Individual Coursework
Essay (critical review) 25% Individual Coursework
Report 25% Individual Coursework
Project 20% Group & Individual Coursework
Reflection 10% Individual Coursework

Next offered

Semester 1, 2021

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 4 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 06/07/2020 12:15 p.m.