2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM2725 Digital Cultures

20 Credits Class Size: 100

Module manager: Celia Tsui
Email: Y.S.Tsui@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In this module you will explore the intersections between digital technologies and culture. We will analyse both the cultures that emerge within digital ecosystems (like gaming communities) and the impact of new technologies on cultural production (like the music industry). This module will introduce students to theories and concepts that help us to understand how technology and culture mutually shape one another..

Objectives

This module explores the cultural practices that are based on, emerge from, and ask questions about, digital technologies.

In this module, students should gain an understanding of key concepts within science and technology studies (STS) and cultural studies and apply these concepts to a variety of different sub-cultures. They should also develop an understanding of the political, economic, and social implications of these emerging cultural practices, forms, and ways of relating to one another.

Learning outcomes

1. Knowledge of a broad range of contemporary digital cultures, forms and practices
2. Familiarity with key debates & writers in the field of digital cultures;
3. The ability to carry out analysis of digital cultures from social, technological, cultural & political perspectives;
4. Investigate a critical issue around digital cultures and develop a small research project to explore it

Skills outcomes

Analysis of digital cultures

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 10 1 10
Seminar 10 1 10
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

Students will:
- read set reading & beyond (45 hours)
- carry out research into a range of digital cultures as identified each week (30 hours)
- carry out small scale / limited primary research (10 hours)
- prepare to present their findings in seminars (5 hours)
- research for and write their assessments (90 hours).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored via participation in seminars, including informal presentations, and tutorials, as well as through mid-module assessment

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Case Study Digital Culture 2,500-3,000 words 60
Essay 1 x 2,000 - 2,500 words 40
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 1/17/2025

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team