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The Digital Economy
Department of Media and Communication
Introduction and aims
This module investigates the nature of, and historical bases for, the new digital economy. It considers the http://www.ukassignment.org/dxygessay/ political, economic and cultural contexts of the new multimedia environment and diverse business developments associated with it.
Objectives
At the end of this module students should have an understanding of:
- technological and material factors shaping the digital economy
- the new multimedia digital environment
- business developments associated with the digital era
- diverse knowledge processes in the digital environment
Teaching
The course is taught on a multi-media basis drawing on academic literature, documentary film and other media, including Internet, sources. The pattern of teaching will vary each week with tutor and students taking the lead by contributing material. It is essential for all students to prepare in advance for the seminars by reading relevant material and thinking through issues and points to raise in group discussion.
Students are encouraged to bring associated items they have discovered, for example from newspapers, journals or the Internet, to these sessions to help widen consideration of specific topics. The main aim of seminars will be to make as many connections as possible across the academic literature covered, substantive developments in the world and where appropriate, media coverage of them. Students are asked to make links regarding issues discussed to contexts with which they are familiar. This is seen as an important dimension of ‘sharing’ knowledge and experience as part of the seminars.
It is suggested to students that they develop a file of websites with a description of their content and structure, role and contribution. These may include sites familiar to and/or used regularly by them as well as new ones discovered as part of the coursework.
The tutor suggests relevant websites in this booklet and may add more during sessions. These are no more than indicative and the emphasis will be on students proactively searching for and identifying websites for themselves. The aim will be to develop their critical capacities to distinguish the different characteristics of individual websites including questions of source and informational status. Seminars 3
will regularly include discussion of these issues and students will be expected to contribute their own website examples to support points they wish to raise, including in their contributions to the group. Inclusion of websites in this booklet is not necessarily any kind of endorsement of their content. It is essential in relation to websites to recognize that their authority, origins and content are all open to critical assessment. Issues related to such assessment will be discussed during seminars.
Assessment/Expectations
- one 2,500 – 3,000 word essay
All students in class will be expected to fully prepare for class by reading the key and further reading listed in the booklet. In addition, opportunities will be given for students to contribute in class either individually or in small groups.
Electronic Sources: Students are actively encouraged to use web-based resources, but remember the rules of plagiarism apply to items accessed on the web. For all web sources include in bibliographies the name of the author or organization/company, the web address, and the date the page was last accessed. For all material directly quoted use quote marks as usual. It is wise to keep a hard print out of any items used in this way and if appropriate include them as an appendix to your essay.
Reading
Key readings for each topic are marked with an asterisk. The relevant literature for this course is growing all the time and the readings listed here are a starting point. Further readings will be recommended as the course progresses.
In general, students are advised to read as widely as possible from academic material, newspapers, periodicals and academic journals. Because of the nature of this topic there is a significant amount of relevant material circulating on the Internet and in the media on a daily basis and students are encouraged to relate seminar discussions and questions to this contemporary material. Guidance will be given on reading throughout the course, including for individual seminars and topic areas.
Students should always remember to draw on relevant readings and issues from the rest of their studies on the course to support and interact with their work on this module. Critical thinking about readings and research on the Internet is essential at all times.
Websites
There is a list of relevant websites below that I want all students to devote time to during the module. Students should also develop their own portfolio of websites appropriate to the different topics under consideration.
ESSAY QUESTIONS
Read your chosen question carefully and be sure to address it directly in your essay. Select your main readings from the key and further readings lists and build further on them drawing on other directly relevant sources. Plan your reading and preparation of the essay effectively to ensure that you have access to the material. Please make individual or group appointments to discuss any aspect of the essay work or course in general. Essays should always refer to the appropriate theoretical topics covered in the course and include illustrations where possible and relevant from the media and communications.
Please see the Masters Course handbook for the http://www.ukassignment.org/dxygessay/ submission deadline and related guidelines on essay writing.
1. Outline the main characteristics of the digital economy and the ways in which it has changed the marketplace.
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