University Course Planner The University of Adelaide Australia

POLIS 3003 - Cyber-Politics: Politics & the Internet Revolution

Career: Undergraduate
Units: 3
Term: 4220
Campus: North Terrace
Contact: Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange: Yes
Available for Non-Award Study: Yes
Pre-Requisite: At least 6 units of Level II undergraduate study
Assessment: Group work and presentation, Quizzes, Research essay, Participation
Syllabus:

The course examines how the digital age has transformed politics around the world. Information and communication technologies have deeply changed both the private and public spheres, the internet has radically changed the way people communicate with each other and interact with the state and private corporations. It has reshaped our economies, and created new opportunities for political engagement and organization. Citizens use the internet to organise protests and boycotts, but the internet is also a space where individuals may become radicalised. It provides a democratised platform for the production and consumption of information, but also lends itself to the proliferation of “fake news”, echo chambers and hate speech. Governments attempt to enact laws that control, censor, or monitor online interactions. But private corporations are similarly interested to control and utilize the internet to gather data on current and future consumers, and to exploit commercial opportunities. Similar opportunities are also sought by criminal actors, who seek to use the internet to pursue criminal, aggressive and terrorist activities. How, then, ought the internet be governed? Who should have authority to control internet access and content? In this course, we will explore this complex web of relations, dangers and opportunities by tackling questions such as: should the internet be censored, and by whom? Should hate speech be prohibited? Who should control access to the internet? Should Facebook be nationalised? What is the value of privacy? What impact is the internet, and particularly social media, having on the human experience? What is cybersecurity and how do we achieve it? Does internet communication favour populist and authoritarian leaders? How do these issues relate to one another and to conceptions of network neutrality more generally?

Course Fees

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Student Status

Domestic
International

What type of place are you studying in

Commonwealth supported
Full fee paying

Study Level

Undergraduate
Postgraduate Coursework
Non Award

Program of Study

Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The fees displayed below for international students are for students commencing a program in 2024 only. International students who commenced a program in 2023 or prior can find their fee here.

Units
EFTSL
Amount
3
0.125
          
  


Course Outline

A Course Outline which includes Learning Outcomes, Learning Resources, Learning & Teaching for this course may be accessed here


Critical Dates

Term Last Day to Add Online Census Date Last Day to WNF Last Day to WF
4220 Mon 08/08/2022 Wed 17/08/2022 Fri 16/09/2022 Fri 28/10/2022


Class Details

Enrolment Class: Lecture
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
29072 LEC0 120 11 This class does not have any timetabled face-to-face sessions. Please check MyUni or contact your Course Coordinator for details.
Note: This lecture is pre-recorded and can be viewed any time after publication in MyUni. Please refer to MyUni for details once enrolled.
Related Class:
Class Nbr Section Size Available Dates Days Time Location
20266 SG03 40 1 27 Jul - 14 Sep Wednesday 11am - 1pm Barr Smith South, 2032, Teaching Room
5 Oct - 26 Oct Wednesday 11am - 1pm Barr Smith South, 2032, Teaching Room
20267 SG02 40 4 27 Jul - 14 Sep Wednesday 1pm - 3pm MyUni, OL, Online Class
5 Oct - 26 Oct Wednesday 1pm - 3pm MyUni, OL, Online Class
20268 SG01 40 6 29 Jul - 16 Sep Friday 10am - 12pm Barr Smith South, 2032, Teaching Room
7 Oct - 28 Oct Friday 10am - 12pm Barr Smith South, 2032, Teaching Room