Students
MMCC3055 – Mobile Cultures
2020 – Session 2, Special circumstance
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Nicole Matthews
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will consider practices and experiences of mobility, focusing on contemporary technologies and cultures. Mobile and ubiquitous media technologies, particularly mobile phones, and the cultural practices and meanings around their development and use, will be a particular focus of discussion. What cultural assumptions underpin the development of mobile technologies and apps, and the platforms they draw on. What forms of identity, understandings of the body, and ways of using these technologies, are offered to those using mobile technologies, and how might these be changing? What are the cultural meanings of the way data flows from mobile technologies to users' peers, professionals, governments and corporations. How do these flows of data enhance or undermine justice, shape bodies and relationships. This consideration of technologies of mobility, and the identities linked to them, will be framed within broader considerations of the cultural consequences of media; "travelling ideas"; and movements of people, migrants, tourist and refugees. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: evaluate the cultural, political and social issues and debates surrounding the use of mobile technologies.
- ULO2: analyse the various ways in which mobile technologies shape and construct cultural practices, drawing on media and cultural studies theories.
- ULO3: analyse the impact of mobile technologies on individual identities and bodies, as well as cultural identity.
- ULO4: effectively communicate arguments around the various ways mobile technologies interact with and transform communities, identities and everyday practices
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case-study analysis of a cultural practice or media form linked to mobility | 35% | No | Thurs Sept 10 11pm |
| Proposal for an initiative or innovation around mobilities | 35% | No | Tues October 27 11pm |
| Reflective summaries | 30% | No | Tues midday (Wk 2-12); Final reflection Nov 3 11pm. |
Case-study analysis of a cultural practice or media form linked to mobility
Assessment Type 1: Case study/analysis
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Thurs Sept 10 11pm
Weighting: 35%
Students are required to submit a case study analysis of a cultural practice or media form linked to mobility. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- evaluate the cultural, political and social issues and debates surrounding the use of mobile technologies.
- analyse the various ways in which mobile technologies shape and construct cultural practices, drawing on media and cultural studies theories.
- analyse the impact of mobile technologies on individual identities and bodies, as well as cultural identity.
- effectively communicate arguments around the various ways mobile technologies interact with and transform communities, identities and everyday practices
Proposal for an initiative or innovation around mobilities
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Tues October 27 11pm
Weighting: 35%
In this assessment students will propose an initiative or innovation relating to cultural practices or media forms linked to mobility. The proposal will be presented in one of a range of online media forms. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- evaluate the cultural, political and social issues and debates surrounding the use of mobile technologies.
- analyse the various ways in which mobile technologies shape and construct cultural practices, drawing on media and cultural studies theories.
- analyse the impact of mobile technologies on individual identities and bodies, as well as cultural identity.
- effectively communicate arguments around the various ways mobile technologies interact with and transform communities, identities and everyday practices
Reflective summaries
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: Tues midday (Wk 2-12); Final reflection Nov 3 11pm.
Weighting: 30%
This assessment comprises of (a) a 200 word summary of key readings for each week between Week 2 and 12, submitted online before class; (b) a 1200 word reflection on 4 examples of the way the student’s understanding of particular readings was changed by discussions in tutorials and lectures. This reflection is submitted in week 13. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- evaluate the cultural, political and social issues and debates surrounding the use of mobile technologies.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
See ilearn for more information.
Unit Schedule
Topics for 2020 include migration and mobile phones; pandemics, mobility and immobility; self-tracking, quantification and mobile health; mobile technology, surveillance and transparency; Pokemon, gamification and urban spaces; youth culture, automobility and mobile media; queer men and dating apps; disability and inclusive mobile technology; mobile phones, intimacy and safety; mobile media, development and post-colonialism.
Tutorials for this unit will begin in Week 2.
More details in the ilearn site.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.