Writing and New Media

Unit Code: LPW707

Credit Points: 12.5 Credit Points

> Related Course/s
> Teaching Methods
> Assessment
> Aims & Objectives
> Generic Skills Outcomes
> Content
> References

Related Course/s:

Master of Arts (Writing)

Aims & Objectives:

This unit builds directly upon LPW 604 Online Writing. It adds new skills applicable to the industry as well as new media applications for individuals online such as blogs and citizen journalism. It provides students with a theoretical and practical foundation for ‘reading’ and ‘writing’ in new media platforms, across a range of contexts including personal, creative and business. It addresses such questions as:

• how is ‘new media’ currently defined?
• what are the common, emerging and innovative manifestations of ‘new media’?
• what are the theoretical frameworks useful in understanding and writing for ‘new media’?
• how can we understand the business, social and cultural impact of electronic deliveries?

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

·         demonstrate conceptual skills that allow them to adapt work for a range of ‘new media’ platforms;

·         reflect on the conventions and requirements of creating ‘text’ for electronic media and other ‘new media’ platforms;

·         discuss and theorise emerging trends in a range of media platforms;

·         apply conceptual understandings to the practice of writing for ‘new media’.

Teaching Methods:

This unit is delivered online and includes a range of flexible and multi-modal learning approaches, such as virtual lectures, virtual tutorials, electronic media, set readings for response. The unit Web page provides the following information: interactivities, multimedia links, hypertext links, references and virtual community opportunities and is supported by an online tutor and opportunities for peer mentoring.

Assessment:

Assessment 1:
Written Assignments 60%-70%

Assessment 2:
Participation in Weekly Discussion Threads 30%-40%

Generic Skills Outcomes:

• Analytical skills developed through interactive applied, critical and reflective writing tasks and reviews requiring critical thinking
• Drafting and editing for advanced level written communication
• Communication skills developed through interactive discussion forums and web-based communication
• Ability to work independently, developed through web-based research and online learning, in addition to library research

Content:

·         Contemporary definitions of ‘new media’

·         Creative Possibilities for writing for ‘new media’

·         The Self and the Electronic Revolution

·         Online Journalism

·         Immersion Aesthetics for Electronic Writing and ‘new media’

·         Hypertext

·         Politics of Identity, e.g. Cyberfeminism, Second Life

·         Adventures in Gaming

·         The Borderless World

References: