POLIS 7021 - Politics of the Internet: Pluralism in Digital Age

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

The Internet has become the de facto medium for communication, both person-to-person, and on a broader canvas of publicity and mass communication. Social networking shows the power of the internet to blend these hitherto separate areas of activity into the one hybrid form: personal and yet impersonal. Convergence of technology has brought all manner of social engagement (music, film, even artistic installations) onto the Internet. With the advent of `smart-phones' and cheap Internet carriers such as Skype, telephony has become a crucial piece in broader puzzle. The global economy too has recognised the Internet's immense power, with platforms such as FaceBook gathering more customers than any business in history, and thereby creating a genuinely global market for services. These changes have enormous implications for the theory and practice of politics, citizenship, human rights, activism and policing. Changes are evident in communication between traditional politicians and their extended electorates, grass-roots social and political movements (GetUp!), the foundation of new forms of people-power in North Africa and the Middle East, or the spread of radicalisation for religious extremist causes. These disparate forms of politics co-habit in the one broad virtual world. This course explores the intriguing facets of the politics of the internet, bringing together scholars from Politics, Media and Intelligence Studies to do so.

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Course Details

Course Code	POLIS 7021
Course	Politics of the Internet: Pluralism in Digital Age
Coordinating Unit	Politics and International Relations
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	Completed degree (72 units) with cognate elements
Incompatible	POLIS 5027
Restrictions	Available to MA students only
Assessment	1500 word minor essay 10%, 500 word internet exercise 10%, 6000 word research essay 70%, participation 10%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Kirsty Whitman

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

After the course students will be able to:

1. Participate in sophisticated debates about politics, media and communication.
2. Discuss contentious political issues respectfully.
3. Produce critically analytical written work which engages with current trends.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Deep discipline knowledge informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1 accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)	1,2,3
Critical thinking and problem solving steeped in research methods and rigor based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment	1,2,3
Teamwork and communication skills developed from, with, and via the SGDE honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning	2
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	2,3
Intercultural and ethical competency adept at operating in other cultures comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges	2
Self-awareness and emotional intelligence a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate	1,2

Learning Resources

Required Resources

None

Recommended Resources

None

Online Learning

Due to the subject matter there is significant engagement with online resources.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Students must come prepared for the face to face seminar by engaging with the resources on MyUni.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

See MyUni

Learning Activities Summary

Online acitivities plus a three hour seminar.

Specific Course Requirements

None

Small Group Discovery Experience

Students work in teams on an in-class project.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Class presentation 10%
In class exercises 20%
Research essay 70%

Due to the current COVID-19 situation, modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.
1. Class presentation is no longer required.
2. In-class exercises are online and now worth 30%

Assessment Related Requirements

None

Assessment Detail

See MyUni

Submission

Submission via MyUni

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 成人大片 is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 成人大片 therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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