MEDIA 717 : Ubiquitous Media
Arts
2022 Semester Two (1225) (30 POINTS)
Course Prescription
Course Overview
This course takes advances in both media technology and computation to address the development and future direction of fully mediated environments. What is variously called ‘ubiquitous computing’ (Ubicomp), ‘pervasive computing’, or ‘ambient computing’—leading to the derived concepts of ubiquitous, pervasive or ambient media—explore developments in new interfaces, sensor and tagging technology as well as new forms of digital communication, connectivity and data storage to consider the implications of intelligent, personalized, synchronized, multi-user environments. At the centre of this course is the argument that we are entering a post-cyberspace age in which "the Internet" will no longer be a virtual space that we enter via portals (computers) but that computerization will increasingly be brought out into the real world and distributed everywhere. This is the age of interconnected smart objects (otherwise known as the Internet of Things), smart buildings and smart cities. The first part of the course will introduce some of the central researchers in this relatively new area of academic and corporate endeavour to draw out the central questions that need to be addressed in this new and increasingly immersive media ecology. The second part of the course explores some of the most pressing issues of our time, namely the phenomenon of big data and the ever-increasing use of algorithms; the growth in robotic technologies; and issues around data mining, prediction and surveillance. The course will also interrogate the relation between the human and the technical as we increasingly defer operations, cognitive functions, social relations, and memory to these new media devices and environments. The course addresses the problem of increased technological embodiment and technological embeddedness that are essential for any understanding of ubiquitous media. In the third part of the course we will consider the implications of this for our personal use of devices and networks, and how those issues might impact on the future of cities and our urban environment.
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 |
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate the significance in the development of ubiquitous media (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Apply a range of media theories to the new technological environment (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and political implications of increased media ubiquity (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.3)
- Evaluate the ethical and political implications of increased surveillance, data mining and data sovereignty (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Identify the social, political, economic and ethical implications of the post-cyberspace age (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2 and 6.3)
- Research, analyse, and communicate a range of opportunities and threats presented by ubiquitous media (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Demonstrate a knowledge of how this technology affects our thinking in regard to objects, buildings and cities (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 5.2 and 6.3)
- Apply complex philosophical argument to real world problems, especially in relation to interfaces, tool use and platform development (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.2, 5.1 and 6.3)
- Evaluate the increasing role that code and algorithms play in the shaping of environments and behaviour (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2 and 6.3)
- Demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and political implications of the increased use of automation and robotics (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 6.3)
Assessments
| Assessment Type | Percentage | Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Online Research Blog | 30% | Individual Coursework |
| Book Review | 20% | Individual Coursework |
| Research Essay | 50% | Individual Coursework |
| 3 types | 100% |
Workload Expectations
This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 20 hours per week involved in each 30 point course that they are enrolled in.
For this course, you can expect 3 hours of seminar, 5 hours of reading and thinking about the content, 2 hours film viewing and 10 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.
Delivery Mode
Campus Experience
This course is not available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.
Attendance is required at scheduled activities to receive credit for components of the course.
Seminars will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.
Learning 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.
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.
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.
Class Representatives
Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.
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 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.
Learning Continuity
In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.
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 students may be asked to submit 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. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.