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eSociety: Sociology of the Electronic Age

Unit Code:HAS202

Credit Points	Duration	Contact Hours	Campus	Prerequisite	Corequisite
12.5 Credit Points	One Semester or Teaching Period	36 hours	Hawthorn	HAS111 Sociological Foundations or HAS112 Social Institutions and Social Change or HAS113 Sociology of the Environment or HACM104 Media Literature Film: Text and Context.	Nil

Credit Points

Duration

Contact Hours

Campus

Prerequisite

Corequisite

12.5 Credit Points

One Semester or Teaching Period

36 hours

Hawthorn

HAS111 Sociological Foundations or HAS112 Social Institutions and Social Change or HAS113 Sociology of the Environment or HACM104 Media Literature Film: Text and Context.

Nil

Related Course/s:

A unit of study in the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Sociology), Bachelor of Social Science, Bachelor of Social Science (Sociology), Sociology co-major and minor, and Cultural Studies co-major and minor.

Aims & Objectives:

Aims:
To develop understanding, from an international perspective, of

* the social shaping of electronic technologies

* the social shaping of their effects on social institutions

* the main sociological theories used to explain them.

Learning Objectives:

After studying this unit students are expected to

* understand the relationship between technology and society

* understand the changing patterns of human behaviour and social institutions in relation to Internet technologies

* be able to articulate key concepts and theories in relation to the technology and society

* be able to analyse current issues in terms of theoretical understandings gained during the course.

Students are expected to develop their skills in:

* using electronic techniques for accessing and communicating information

* critical thinking

* analysing social theory and social issues

* oral and written communication.

Teaching Methods:

Lectures (2 hours), tutorials (1 hour) and independent study

Assessment:

Assessments for this subject may include essays, presentations, quizzes, exams and tutorial participation.
Indicative Weightings: A typical combination of assessments is:

* Participation (10%)

* First essay (25 %)

* Second essay (30 %)

* Exam (35 %)

Generic Skills Outcomes:

The graduate attributes which relate to this unit help to produce graduates who are:
* capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study area

* entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community

* effective and ethical in work and community situation

* adaptable and able to manage change

* aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (eg socio-cultural, economic, natural).

Content:

In this course we take a critical look at the idea that the Internet is transforming society, examining different facets of life to see where change has occurred and identifying the social factors that make the Internet what it is today. We will assess whether change outweighs continuity, that is, whether things are more different than they are the same. At the same time, we will examine how things might be different from how they are. As well as referring to current Internet technologies such as blogs, wikis, social networking sites, and augmented reality, we will refer to early Internet technologies such as Bulletin Boards, UseNet groups and multi-user Dungeons. An underlying question is Why is the Internet what it is today? As we examine some of the political, economic and social battles currently being fought over the future of the Internet, we will contemplate our agency in shaping the future of the Internet.

Reading Materials:

No set text. Readings will be available from online reserve at the Swinburne library.