Introduction to Cybercultures

MAC129

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Aka Web Studies+

• In the past (when?), this module has also been thought of as Geek Studies

• “It will never catch on!” – (Prof. Sue Thornham, ex Associate Dean

for Media at Sunderland; now Head of School at Sussex)

• Now, the Internet is a central part of daily life

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LEARNING OUTCOMES:

On successful completion of the module, students will have demonstrated:

1.knowledge and understanding of the theoretical concepts and issues necessary for further study in this area;

2.an understanding of the history and key concepts of cyberculture;

3. the ability to apply these concepts in the critical analysis of various forms of cyberculture;

4.skills of written presentation.

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CONTENT SYNOPSIS:Week 1: Introduction to the module (RJ)Week 2: Introduction to Cyberculture (RJ)Week 3: History of Computing (NP)Week 4: History of the Internet (NP)Week 5: Digital Games & Representation (RJ)Week 6: News & New(s) Media (RJ)Week 7: Hackers & Political Hacktivism (RJ)Week 8: Independent Study WeekWeek 9: Social Networking & Surveillance (RJ)Week 10: My Tiny Life: Virtual Homesteads on the New

Frontier (JPG)Week 11: The Long Tail: the Future of Business? (RJ)Week 12: Web 2.0: the future of cyberculture? (RJ)

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Staff Teaching on this module:

• Robert Jewitt (Module Leader): – robert.jewitt@sunderland.ac.uk

• Neil Perryman: – neil.perryman@sunderland.ac.uk

• John Paul Green: – john-paul.green@sunderland.ac.uk

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Assessment information • 1 x 2000 word written assignment (worth 100%)• From one of the following topics:

– Cyberculture history & methods– Cybercommunities– Cybersubscultures– Cyberculture & digital gaming– Cyberculture & politics– Cyberculture & broadcasting– Cyberculture & popular culture

• Essay titles will be given to you in class time and via WebCT/Sunspace in week 6.

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• YOU MUST ALSO SUBMIT AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF YOUR ESSAY VIA WEBCT VISTA/SUNSPACE

• SUBMISSION DATE AND TIME: Tuesday 12th January 2010

• PLACE OF SUBMISSION: Assignment Services, Prospect building and online via SunSpace

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SunSpace (aka WebCT)• http://sunspace.sunderland.ac.uk/

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Download the module guide

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Check out the discussion space

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Check out the discussion space

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Check out the discussion space

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Check out the discussion space

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Join the Facebook group

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Absences

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Absences

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