| CODE | MCS3953 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Digital Media and Information Literacies | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Media and Communications | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Digital literacies refer to the skills, knowledge, and competencies required to effectively navigate, evaluate, create, and communicate in a digital world. The components of digital literacies include information literacy, media literacy, communication, critical thinking, critical discourse analysis, digital citizenship, technical literacy, cultural competence, adaptability and lifelong learning, the ethical use of technology, identity, and representation. These components encompass a range of abilities related to using digital devices, accessing information online, critically evaluating digital content, and engaging in online communications. The study-unit is aimed at students interested in securing digital literacy skills that may empower them as discerning digital citizens. There is a focus on the needs of students who wish to work in the creative and media industries and who need to secure an understanding of the dynamics of disruptive technologies when used as professional and social communication tools. The study-unit also helps participants navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape and understand the use of disruptive technologies in social, cultural and political contexts. It provides a conceptual yet practical toolbox for navigating the evolution and practices of the new, converged media environment and encourages participants to reflect on the power relationships that are formed as a result. The primary focus is on engagement with social media platforms and their role within an ever-changing ecosystem of 21st century technologies that now includes generative AI.It explores what the future may bring as mainstream media adjusts to the reality of 'always-on', personalised, unmediated forms of online discourse and the mass uptake of AI. The challenges and opportunities for mainstream print and audio-visual media outlets from citizen journalism, influencers and new economic models are explored to provide an updated context for the emerging media ecosystem. The study-unit provides a solid grounding in theoretical frameworks through the use of case studies embedded in popular and digital cultureIn the process, students will also secure a hands-on understanding of digital literacies through the development of an assessed project. Study-Unit Aims: - Provide a critical introduction to new media theories and practices; - Facilitate an understanding of the importance of digital literacies in society and strategic communications using social media platforms and emerging technologies; - Provide students with essential online skills, resulting in effective online discourse, personal branding, and appropriate online behaviour; - Foster a culture of critical, self-reflection, peer evaluation, and critical consumption of online information; - Develop online communication skills through a review of seminal case studies and applications; - Develop awareness of the potential and limitations of new media through the development of a practical and relevant online project. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Aware of the fundamentals of digital literacies and digital citizenship; - Able to critically assess the role of new media in contemporary society; - Able to evaluate online information critically and develop appropriate management strategies using digital tools; - Familiar with opportunities and threats in engaging with peers and unknown audiences on digital platforms; - Able to source, select, and process information; transform information into usable knowledge; and disseminate knowledge as enriched enterprise intellectual capital. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Engage with new media on mainstream and alternative communication systems; - Develop an online project using new media that meets pre-set education objectives. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Carah, N. (2021). Media & Society. Power, Platforms & Society; - Christian, S.E. (2023). Everyday digital literacy. An analog guide for your digital life. Routledge; - Fuchs, C. (2017). Social Media. A critical introduction. Sage Publications, London; - Ji, Q. (2023). Social Media and Society. Routledge; - Rheingold, H. (2012). Net Smart: How to Thrive Online. MIT Press Cambridge MA; - Turkle, S. 2011, Alone Together. Why we expect more from technology and less from each other. Basic Books, New York. |
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| RULES/CONDITIONS | In TAKING THIS UNIT YOU CANNOT TAKE MCS1050 | ||||||||
| ADDITIONAL NOTES | The above rule is only applicable to Visiting students (Erasmus+, Exchange and Transfer) | ||||||||
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Alex Grech |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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