Overview

This unit introduces theories and approaches for understanding the dynamic ecologies generated by new media technologies, practices and processes. A media ecologies approach considers the complex interrelation between technologies and platforms, people, communities, practices and commercial and political interests. In doing so, Media Ecologies aims to foster a critical awareness of new and emerging media processes and uses, as well as arm participants with the tools to undertake their own research and analysis.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Evaluate current research methodologies for disciplinary knowledge of new media technologies, practices and processes
  • Prepare and deliver an oral presentation that evaluates current research into one area of dynamic media practice addressed within the unit
  • Plan and undertake research into a significant issue concerning a dynamic site of media use and practice
  • Define, describe and analyse core concepts, theories and issues facing practitioners in new media environments

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Class		 2.00  12 weeks  24
Online
Lecture (asynchronous)		 1.00  12 weeks  12
Specified Activities
Various		 10.00  10 weeks  100
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning		 1.40  10 weeks  14
TOTAL     150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
AssessmentIndividual 30% 1,2,4 
Oral PresentationIndividual 30% 1,2,3 
Research EssayIndividual 40% 1,2,4 

Content

  • Infrastructures of the new: broadcast, networks, wirelessness and beyond.
  • Screen media beyond broadcast TV and Cinema.
  • Health, illness and networked technologies.
  • Technologies for political engagement and protest.
  • Crisis communication, new media and humanitarianism.
  • Mobile and locative media ecologies: From utility to play (and back again).
  • Telework and the always-on lifestyle.
  • Graduate Attribute Communication Skills: Verbal communication
  • Graduate Attribute Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
  • Graduate Attribute Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
  • Graduate Attribute Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
  • Graduate Attribute Digital Literacies: Information literacy
  • Graduate Attribute Digital Literacies: Technical literacy

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.