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Study online with Curtin University through Open Universities Australia. Explore all degrees, subjects and short courses now.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Communication is designed for people who are interested in pursuing a career in the Digital Communication field. The Undergraduate Certificate may enable entry (and credit for the four units completed) into the Digital and Social Media major within the Bachelor of Arts among others at Curtin.

Learn about the technologies, techniques, and issues surrounding online communication. You’ll explore social media and other forms of digital communication, and get the opportunity to collaborate and create online. Digital comms careers start here.

Undergraduate Certificate in Digital Communication

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications).
The Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the Internet: how people network, collaborate, and share information through Internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur.
The approach is interdisciplinary: you develop skills in website design, public communication, social network management, collaboration and web media production. At the same time you will understand the political, economic and social changes associated with the Internet.
By combining this degree with recommended electives in media, design, business, information technology, marketing, and other disciplines, you will create the right degree program for you to become an astute, engaged professional communicator via the Internet.
Students may choose to study the following combinations of two single majors to obtain the double major award:
<ul><li>Digital and Social Media and Visual Culture</li><li>Digital and Social Media and Professional Writing &amp; Publishing</li><li>Digital Design and Digital and Social Media</li><li>Fine Art and Digital and Social Media</li></ul>
Please refer to the respective degree pages for more details.

Study digital publishing, virtual collaboration and social networks alongside networked technologies, regulation and the economics of the internet. Take electives in media, design, IT and marketing to secure skills that are coveted by every industry.

Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)

Incorporating critical thinking skills as well as practical work which models industry practice, the Bachelor of Communications prepares students for a range of different positions in media and communications. The Bachelor of Communications provides training for traditional media and communication roles, but also prepares students for emerging job roles that may not yet exist in these fields. Students specialise in Web Media and Digital Experience Communication.Bachelor Degrees prepare students to develop broad and coherent knowledge and skills in a discipline for professional work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 7 qualifications.

Dive into digital communication with a degree that prepares you for a range of media roles – some of which don’t even exist yet. Understand social, cultural and technological shifts in media. Learn practical tools for digital communication.  

Bachelor of Communications

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Digital Design and Internet Communications).
This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of digital design and internet communications. This degree enables students to understand web-based design, 2-D and 3-D animation design, digital photography, digital illustration and rendering, interactive and experience design, simulations and modelling, and electronic game design. The internet communication component provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design.

Visualise and communicate your talent for designer concepts. Create a digital footprint networking with technology. Critique the complex interaction between people and the internet. Network and browse the human dimensions of online communities.

Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Digital and Social Media)

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications and Professional Writing and Publishing).
This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of digital and social media and professional writing &amp; publishing. Digital and Social Media  major provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur.
The Professional Writing and Publishing major prepares students for writing careers in the private, public and creative sectors through the study and practice of a range of different writing forms, including feature articles, speeches, reports, discussion papers, travel writing, history, humour, writing for the internet, promotional writing, creative non-fiction and media releases.

Write and edit content to publish online. Craft diverse writing styles and genres from features to speeches for personal and commercial audiences. Explore how people network and connect using the internet. Design websites and online experiences.

Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing)

This degree was previously known as Graduate Certificate in Internet Communications.
The Graduate Certificate in Digital and Social Media provides you with an opportunity to learn some of the key aspects of the human dimensions of the Internet: how people network, collaborate, and share information through Internet communications, media and design. Depending on choice of subjects, you will develop skills in one or more of: creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur. The approach is interdisciplinary: you develop skills in websites, public communication, social network management, collaboration via virtual organisations, and web media production. At the same time you will understand the political, economic and social changes associated with the Internet. By taking this degree, you will add to your existing qualification a basic level knowledge and skills needed for you to become an astute, engaged professional communicator via the Internet.

Write for websites and social media. Unpack how power and politics manifest online. Leverage online communication tools and styles to get your message across. Compare the everyday world with the digital space, and see where the two cross over.

Graduate Certificate in Digital and Social Media

This degree was previously known as Graduate Diploma in Internet Communications.
The Graduate Diploma in Digital and Social Media provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the Internet: how people network, collaborate, and share information through Internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur. The approach is interdisciplinary: you develop skills in websites, public communication, social network management, collaboration via virtual organisations, and web media production. At the same time you will understand the political, economic and social changes associated with the Internet. By taking this degree, you will add to your existing qualification the knowledge and skills needed for you to become an astute, engaged professional communicator via the Internet.

Build on your existing understanding of online culture. Choose from topics such as online gaming, writing for the web, the digital economy and website development. Harness emerging technology and see how digital culture engages with everyday life.

Graduate Diploma in Digital and Social Media

This degree was previously known as Master of Internet Communications.
The Master of Digital and Social Media provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the Internet: how people network, collaborate, and share information through Internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur. You will also gain advanced research skills through a substantial independent research project. The approach is interdisciplinary: you develop skills in websites, public communication, social network management, collaboration via virtual organisations, and web media production. At the same time you will understand the political, economic and social changes associated with the Internet. By taking this degree, you will add to your existing qualification the knowledge and skills needed for you to become an astute, engaged professional communicator via the Internet.

Broaden your appreciation of the communicative power of the world wide web. Punctuate your ongoing digital communication studies with an in-depth research project. Place an emphasis on creativity in digital writing, design and interaction practices.

Master of Digital and Social Media

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications and Visual Culture).
The Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur. In the Visual Culture major students explore the history and theories of art and learn to critically evaluate how art informs our world. Students are also trained in practices of seeing and representation through technical and intuitive skills based in drawing.

Visualise and articulate how people network and connect online. Express culture through design. Get critical and recognise the value of cultural diversity versus technology. Explore art history and theory. Draw on your technical and intuitive strengths.

Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture)

This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art and Internet Communications).
This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of fine art and Digital and Social Media. The Fine Art major draws upon the diverse and complex traditions of Fine Art and calls for a high degree of self-discipline, a capacity for self-criticism and dedication to the demanding profession of being an artist. This degree aims to produce highly accomplished and knowledgeable graduates able to contribute to the artistic, aesthetic and social needs of contemporary society. The Digital and Social Media component provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design.

Critically interact with fine art traditions considering the visual and social needs of society. Contribute to the artistic aesthetic. Design ways to network and connect to people and places. Draw on your strengths of self-criticism and self-discipline.

Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Digital and Social Media)

Social Media, Communities and Networks

Online Power and Resistance

Engaging Media

This subject investigates the complexity of culture and our engagement with other cultures and culturally diverse thinking and perspectives. It will particularly explore Indigenous cultures, histories, knowledge, perspectives and values. Students will reflect on their cultural background and identity, as well as their engagement with cultural diversity. The unit also explores the relationship between media and culture, critically analysing media representations that inform our ideas about particular topics, other cultures and people. We examine the effects and consequences of representation by analysing the ideological role played by global media, and how this connects with power.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Challenge your ways of thinking about other cultures and values. Take apart your cultural background and see how it shapes your worldview. Get to know Indigenous knowledge and perspectives. Examine topics including othering, prejudice and the media.

Culture to Cultures

The Internet has dramatically changed the way people and organisations communicate, whether for better or worse. For many, online communication through digital and social media is now one of their most significant forms of interaction with others. Digital and social media also underpin collaboration between people, either in formal groups or loose networks. Understanding how the Internet affords us new and different ways of communicating is, therefore, essential. This subject will enable you to become an effective and sophisticated user of digital and social media, able to deploy techniques, technologies and underlying concepts for online communication, collaboration and media creation.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Identify the various technical strands that make up the foundation of the world wide web. Dig into wikis, blogs and social networks. Take a look into the future of online communication tools. Find new and different ways of communicating online.

Web Communications

This subject was previously known as Internet and Everyday Life.
For many people, everyday life now involves constant interaction with the Internet via digitally networked platforms and devices. As cyberspace and real space come together, it can be easy to miss the impacts of the Internet on us and on our society and culture. Students will explore how their own experiences and ‘everyday Internet’ may be different from others, and the implications of this for studying digital culture. Through specific topics such as entertainment, politics, sex, and relationships students will analyse digital culture conceptually, towards better understanding how technology and society are intertwined.
Further Information: List of topics is indicative and subject to minor change prior to the start of each Study Period.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Explore where digital life ends and real life begins. Identify ways in which every day social activities like dating and praying have become digitised. Look into the causes and consequences of our increasing social connection with the online world.

Digital Culture and Everyday Life

This subject was previously known as Internet Commerce and Consumers.
The Internet has fundamentally reshaped the global economy, and with it our experiences as workers and consumers. In this subject, you will come to understand the dynamics of the digital economy, including the importance of platforms, networks, attention, and growth. You will also explore alternative economic models facilitated by the Internet, such as the gift economy. This subject will provide you with a nuanced perspective on how the economy has changed over recent decades, why it matters, and what might happen next.
Further Information: List of topics is indicative and subject to minor change prior to the start of each Study Period.
Please Note:  If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Learn to understand the dynamics of the digital economy, including the importance of platforms, networks, attention, and growth. Explore alternative economic forms, such as peer-to-peer and gift economies.

The Digital Economy

For at least 20 years, we have seen a trend towards &#39;convergence&#39; in the media, as new social understandings and new business models emerge that break down the distinction between traditional media forms (print and broadcast news, films and games and so on). We have also seen the development of social or participatory media, without rigid boundaries between consumers, creators and producers. The internet has played a critical role in these processes, becoming the key frame of reference for discussions of the future of converging and participatory media. In particular, the World Wide Web enables the production, distribution, remixing and remediation of an extraordinary array of digital media content and the linking together of otherwise separate media forms. In this subject, you will investigate why and how media are transforming in the era of convergence and participation, and then put these insights into practice by creating web-based media content.
Further Information: List of topics is indicative and subject to minor change prior to the start of each Study Period.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Get a snapshot of how social and web media tore down the wall between creators and consumers. Investigate television, cinema and music’s changing roles in an online world. Create online content and use it to unpack emerging communication formats.

Web Media

This subject was previously known as Online Games, Play and Gamification.This subject explores the broader spaces and nature of play online, and how it relates to the development of digital forms of gaming. The nature of immersion, and its relationship to interactivity, is examined, investigating how narrative is constructed and communicated through game play. The subject provides critical perspectives on the notion of gamification and the growing area of research centred around videogame streamers and the labour ecosystem of eSports. It examines a series of gaming tropes and themes, games as texts, and the ways that games enter social frameworks to convey, refract, engage with, and resist power structures. An ongoing focus is on the function of rules in framing play, particularly in relation to how players cheat, hack and mod their games to break those rules..Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Delve into a world of gaming and play. Explore the interplay between commerce and game mechanics. Check in on ongoing debates about gaming. Critically analyse everything from casual and social games through to massively multiplayer online games.

Online Games and Play

This subject was previously known as Consuming Culture.This subject aims to deepen students understanding of the receiving end of communications media- consumers, audiences, publics and users. It will familiarise students with the social and cultural consequences of media consumption and provide a strong grounding in competing perspectives in audiences studies and the role of media usage in the formation of subcultures, public spheres, and national communities.﻿Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Media, Culture and Consumption

This subject was previously known as Internet Communities and Social Networks.Digital and social media offers many opportunities for people to share their lives with others and engage in social interaction and dialogue. Initially digital and social media seemed to be about &#39;virtual&#39; community; but these days, online and offline networking and community practices merge. Social media now plays a major role in &#39;being together&#39; - whether to maintain relations with friends and family, to advance political causes, to escape into fantasy worlds, or to strengthen communal belonging. In this unit, you will investigate the excitement, the scepticism, the possibilities and the pitfalls of communities, networks and digital and online social interaction and become more effective in managing and facilitating them.Further Information: List of topics is indicative and subject to minor change prior to the start of each Study Period.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Surf online worlds, communities and sub-cultures. Explore the relationship between technology and social bonding. Plug into gaming, social and Indigenous online networks. Analyse how on and offline ways of communicating are beginning to blur.

This subject was previously known as Power, Politics and the Internet The Internet has had a massive impact on our political systems, from grassroots activism through to global politics. This subject helps you to understand how and why this has happened, and why it matters. It explores the new challenges and possibilities for governance created by the Internet, as well as attempts to control the Internet by governments and others. Ultimately, you will come to understand how networked communications are intertwined with long-running political struggles around control and resistance. Further Information: List of topics is indicative and subject to minor change prior to the start of each Study Period.Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Understand the ways in which people try to exert, and resist, power online. Explore why algorithms, censorship, surveillance, and infrastructure matter, and how they might be reshaped.

Contemporary media is a vital and pervasive presence in many aspects of our lives, both personal and professional. This subject explores the ways in which 21st century media &#39;engages&#39; our attention through a variety of texts and communicative modes. It also focuses on the ways in which we, as users, consumers and producers, engage with the media. We will explore how our relation to media is impacted by the institutions and processes involved in its production.
Further Information: List of topics is indicative and subject to minor change prior to the start of each Study Period.
Please Note: If it’s your first time studying a Curtin University subject you’ll need to complete their compulsory ‘Academic Integrity Program’. It only takes two hours to complete online, and provides you with vital information about studying with Curtin University. The Academic Integrity Program is compulsory, so if it’s not completed your subject grades will be withheld.
Find out more about the <a href="https://www.curtin.edu.au/students/essentials/rights/academic-integrity/aip/" target="_blank">Academic Integrity module</a>.

Get informed about mass media’s modern print, television and online forms. Chart the changing role of news and entertainment in the digital age. Watch how institutions impact production and control. Pick apart how consumers engage with various formats.

Course results for Curtin University Media studies Short courses

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