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  2. Digital Media Activism [CMM3140]

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Digital Media Activism

  • Unit Code

    CMM3140

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit introduces students to new social movement theories, digital media activism and advocacy campaigns around the world. The unit examines the rising effects of digital media activism by focusing on how civil society groups build their advocacy efforts; a special emphasis is placed on the use of networked technologies for social and political change campaigns.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Identify the key historical and contemporary issues in digital media activism and advocacy movements around the world.
  2. Synthesise the relevant literature in this unit and apply it to a study of one digital media activism campaign.
  3. Analyse the effects of digital media activism on civil society groups, institutions and/or government.
  4. Conduct a case study about a social or political issue, design a digital advocacy campaign and assess its potential results.

Unit Content

  1. Theories of social movement, digital media activism and advocacy.
  2. Major principles about civil activism within digital media convergence.
  3. Discourses about digital media activism.
  4. Debates around whether digital tools are inherently liberating or constricting.
  5. Theories about networked identity and society.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestIn-class Concept Test30%
Tutorial PresentationTutorial Participation and Presentation30%
Case StudyCase Study40%

Text References

  • Faris, D. (2013). Dissent and revolution in a digital age: Social media, blogging and activism in Egypt. London, United Kingdom: I.B. Tauris. 
  • Joyce, M (Ed.). (2010).  Digital activism decoded: The new mechanics of change. New York, NY: International Debate Education Association. 
  • Jenkins, H., Ford, S., & Green, J. (2013). Spreadable media: Creating value and meaning in a networked culture. New York, NY: New York University Press.
  • Deliche, A., & Henderson, J. (Eds.). (2011). The participatory cultures handbook. New York, NY: Routledge.
     

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CMM3140|1|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Digital Media Activism

  • Unit Code

    CMM3140

  • Year

    2016

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit introduces students to new social movement theories, digital media activism and advocacy campaigns around the world. The unit examines the rising effects of digital media activism by focusing on how civil society groups build their advocacy efforts; a special emphasis is placed on the use of networked technologies for social and political change campaigns.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Identify the key historical and contemporary issues in digital media activism and advocacy movements around the world.
  2. Synthesise the relevant literature in this unit and apply it to a study of one digital media activism campaign.
  3. Analyse the effects of digital media activism on civil society groups, institutions and/or government.
  4. Conduct a case study about a social or political issue, design a digital advocacy campaign and assess its potential results.

Unit Content

  1. Theories of social movement, digital media activism and advocacy.
  2. Major principles about civil activism within digital media convergence.
  3. Discourses about digital media activism.
  4. Debates around whether digital tools are inherently liberating or constricting.
  5. Theories about networked identity and society.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
TestIn-class Concept Test30%
Tutorial PresentationTutorial Participation and Presentation30%
Case StudyCase Study40%

Text References

  • Faris, D. (2013). Dissent and revolution in a digital age: Social media, blogging and activism in Egypt. London, United Kingdom: I.B. Tauris. 
  • Joyce, M (Ed.). (2010).  Digital activism decoded: The new mechanics of change. New York, NY: International Debate Education Association. 
  • Jenkins, H., Ford, S., & Green, J. (2013). Spreadable media: Creating value and meaning in a networked culture. New York, NY: New York University Press.
  • Deliche, A., & Henderson, J. (Eds.). (2011). The participatory cultures handbook. New York, NY: Routledge.
     

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

CMM3140|1|2