| CODE | MCS1050 | ||||||||||||
| TITLE | New Media and the Social World | ||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | ||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | New media refers to forms of communication that have emerged or evolved in the digital age. It encompasses a wide range of platforms and technologies that facilitate communication, interactions, and content creation. New media often emphasises interactivity, user participation, and the democratisation of content creation and distribution. Examples of new media include social media platforms, blogs, podcasts, mobile apps, and virtual reality experiences. New media is not limited to digital technologies, but also encompasses the cultural, social, and economic implications of these technologies. The study-unit explores the human dimensions of new media how people network, collaborate, and share information through the use of technology. Basic skills in maintaining and managing online communications for personal interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which these interactions occur, are taught. The approach is interdisciplinary, developing skills in digital media literacy, public communication and social network management. The study unit includes an introduction to the political, economic and social changes associated with the mass uptake of social technologies. Study-Unit Aims: - To provide students with the opportunity to delve deeper into the different areas available on the internet; - To introduce students to the human dimensions of the Internet; - To introduce the foundations of digital media literacy within the context of the emerging social web Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study unit the student will be able to: - Think critically, creatively and reflectively so as to imagine, design, use, and critique networked technologies of information and communication identify and distinguish between primary and secondary data sources; - Be aware of the impact of new media on society and apply transdisciplinary thinking to the application and creation of ideas concerning networked technologies of information and communication; - Recognise and value cultural differences and understand their significance in relation to network technologies and their use in society for communication and information. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Apply key concepts of New Media Studies and apply transdisciplinary thinking to the application and creation of ideas concerning networked technologies of information and communication - Secure an understanding of the key skills needed when engaging online and embarking on academic pathways, including options for research methodologies involving new media. - Use digital media with an understanding of the complex interaction of political, cultural, and economic forces that constitutes technology as social; - Communicate and facilitate strategic communication through newmedia, for different purposes, and audiences. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Carigan & Fatsis (2021). The Public and their Platforms. - Carah, N. (2021). Media & Society. Power, Platforms & Society. - Fuchs, C. (2021). Social Media. A critical introduction. - Grech, A. (2023). Young People and 福利在线免费. A Manifesto. - Lindgren, S. & Krutr枚k (2024). Researching Digital Media and Society. - Lindgren, S. (2021). Digital Media & Society Twenge, J. (2023). Generations. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | In TAKING THIS UNIT YOU CANNOT TAKE MCS3953 | ||||||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | The above rule is primarily applicable to Visiting students (Erasmus+, Exchange and Transfer) | ||||||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alex Grech (Co-ord.) Ian Paul Attard |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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