New media Theory
Assessment Criteria
• Evidence of critical engagement with concepts and theories discussed on the module.
• Evidence of reading and research, both of key readings and wider scholarly research relevant to the topic.
• A clear argument supported by evidence and appropriate use of citation and references.
How to complete the essay question. Areas to think about:
1. Your selected question: Please make sure that you understand what your selected question is asking you to do.
2. Assessment criteria: Please make sure that you familiarise yourself with the assessment criteria for the essay. (Please see the retake strategy document and your module guide) Familiarising yourself with the assessment criteria will not only help you to work out what we, as markers, are looking for, but it will also help you to answer your selected question effectively.
3. Argument: As your assessment is a discursive essay, you need to ensure that your argument is clear and that it propels the narrative of your essay forward. You should also ensure that your argument/thesis is clearly articulated in the introduction. In order words, what are you proposing/arguing; why and how? This should also help you with the overall structure of your essay.
4. Critical Readings: You must ensure that your essay is informed by critical readings. However, do not incorporate critical readings and/or quotations without indicating why and how they are relevant to the point you are making. You also need to ensure that direct references to critical readings are embedded effectively within your own work. In other words, you should always introduce quotations (ie as Hall observes…../according to Boyd ….) and respond to quotations; especially those of more than 2 sentences long.
5. Articulate your points clearly: This requires you to think about sentence construction, paragraphing and overall structure. You also need to check punctuation and tone. In particular, do not overuse the pronoun ‘I’ in a formal critical analysis and avoid using colloquialisms (such as ‘bunch of kids’) and abbreviations, for example using ‘do not’, instead of ‘don’t’.
6. References: Please note that in the Field of Media and Cultural Studies we use the Harvard style. As New Media Theory is a Media and Cultural Studies’ module you need to make sure that you reference fully and accurately in the Harvard Style. This does not only apply to in-text citations, but also to bibliographical references. In addition, you should ensure that you always include an accurate and full bibliography. Please also ensure that you do not put quotations in italics (unless they are used in the source); that you highlight (underline, put in quotations marks; italicise) titles and that you always include page reference for direct quotes.
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Referencing Requirements:
FACULTY OF ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES
BA (HONS) IN MEDIA & CULTURAL STUDIES
Dear writer can you please pick the question for me.
You must produce a 3,000 word essay answering ONE of the following questions.
1. With reference to at least two theories relating to new media discuss how the introduction of digital media has transformed the production and consumption of cultural objects.
2. With reference to at least two theories relating to new media discuss how the introduction of digital media has transformed modes of social interaction: work, leisure, community and so on.
These questions are designed to test students’ knowledge and understanding of digital media theory and produce the following learning outcomes:
1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of a range of theories of digital media and culture and the ability to compare different approaches and methodologies
2. Contrast the arguments informing the prominent polemics and debates between different theories of digital media
3. Assess the historical, contemporary and possible future importance of digital media for society
4. Demonstrate an ability to identify the contexts and frameworks within which media and cultural products are developed
Key reading
Set reading
ENO, Brian and Kevin Kelly (1995) ‘Gossip is Philosophy’: An Interview with Brian Eno, Wired 3.05: 1-14.http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.05/eno.html
Further reading
ENO, Brian (1995) ‘Ambient music’, ‘Bliss and Screensavers’, ‘Generative Music’ from A Year with Swollen Appendices, London: Faber and Faber.
Week 3: 9 October 2011
‘The Revolution Will Be Digitised’ (LP)
The lecture looks at the impact of digital public spheres on information
freedom. The session explores questions of:
• digital public spheres
• free expression /information – the meaning of and, impact of new media
• privacy / reputation – the meaning of and, impact of new media
Analytical frameworks put by Foucault and Habermas will be explored in relation to key case examples. The limits of and, future directions of cyber regulation will also be discussed.