Introduction to Digital Culture

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 4
• Convenors: Dr Scott Rodgers, Dr Robert Topinka
• Assessment: a 1250-word academic writing exercise (30%) and 1500-word critical practice essay (70%)

In this module we introduce you to some of the most important themes and debates relating to digital culture today. Through an examination of pressing topics - such as the role of software algorithms in perpetuating cultural biases, the ways we increasingly curate who we are through online platforms, or the rise of social media influencers - we will ask just what is becoming of culture in a digitalising world.

While the module will first and foremost be thematically focused, you will in the process also begin to build up a capacity to analyse digital culture through core academic techniques such as critical reading and essay composition.

Indicative syllabus

Video lectures

• What is digital?
• What is digital culture?
• How will we explore digital culture?

Lectures

• Interface: how do we use digital?
• Ubiquity: where is digital?
• Algorithm: how does digital decide?
• Data: what is digital knowledge?
• Identity: how do we define ourselves digitally?
• Connection: how do are we digitally social?
• Play: how do we play through digital?
• Work: how does digital reshape labour?

Workshops

• Screen capture basics
• Video editing basics