MDIA 1002 - Key Concepts in Media

This course explores why digital media is being seen as creatively, socially, and politically transformative. What is 'collective intelligence' and how is it empowered by digital tools? How are 'amateur' media makers impacting on mainstream media practices? This course explores the important questions being asked about new digital technologies and encourages critical, reflexive thinking about social media sites. It addresses the links between earlier communication forms and media institutions, through to contemporary digital and mobile technologies. Using online concept videos, large group seminars, and small group tutorials, Key Concepts functions as an introduction to the Bachelor of Media degree and the Media Major in the Bachelor of Arts. This course orientates students to the key ideas they will develop through their studies such as forms of media interactivity and methods of media analysis, and selected theories and debates about media's historical role in shaping social, cultural, economic, and political relations.