James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2021

SY2101 - Sociology of Digital Life

Subject Description

Our lives are becoming increasingly intertwined with the digital, such that there is no longer a meaningful division between online and offline. Society is plugged into the "Internet of Things". In this subject, students will explore the relationships between humans and the digital world. Many predictions are made about the impacts of new technologies on social life. In this subject, students will engage with some of those and will look below the surface to assess the real relationship between people and technology. Sociology provides us with tools to understand these relationships, and students will leave the subject equipped with the ability to think critically about the technology that has become so commonplace.

Learning Outcomes

• demonstrate and apply broad knowledge of the relationship between the social and the digital in contemporary society
• debate the ethical issues raised by new technologies and digital worlds
• apply sociological understandings and theories to the relationship between society and digital life
• generate and transmit technological solutions to social problems

Subject Assessment

• Written > Essay (including multi-draft) 1 - (40%) - Individual
• Written > Critical appraisal/review - (30%) - Individual
• Oral > Podcast - (30%) - Individual

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities