Social Media, Communities and Networks
UndergraduateCUR-NET2042025
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.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Entry requirements
- No ATAR needed, No prior study
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 3 Mar 2025
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
Social Media, Communities and Networks
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- critique the operation, nature, purpose and origin of Internet-mediated communities and online networks of social interaction
- analyse specific examples of Internet-mediated social media communities and networks in terms of theories of broader interaction and identity within society
- interpret the complex relationship between technological forms of connectivity and social practices of connectivity
- use conceptual knowledge of Internet-mediated social media communities and networks to be an effective participant in diverse forms of online interaction.
- Communities and Web 2.0
- Social Networks
- Identity in Communities and Networks
- Communities and Online Gaming
- Indigenous People, Virtual Communities and Social Networks
- The difference between communities and networks
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 'virtual' community; but these days, online and offline networking and community practices merge. Social media now plays a major role in 'being together' - 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 Academic Integrity module.
- Conference paper (40%)
- Conference Participation Reflection (40%)
- Essay (20%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
No entry requirements
Equivalent subjects
You should not enrol in this subject if you have successfully completed any of the following subject(s) because they are considered academically equivalent:
CUR-NET24 (Not currently available)
Study load
- 0.125 EFTSL
- This is in the range of 10 to 12 hours of study each week.
Equivalent full time study load (EFTSL) is one way to calculate your study load. One (1.0) EFTSL is equivalent to a full-time study load for one year.
Find out more information on Commonwealth Loans to understand what this means to your eligibility for financial support.
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What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-FAI-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-ICP-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Visual Culture)
UndergraduateCUR-ICV-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital Experience and Interaction Design) (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-DDI-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-NET-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-PWP-DEG
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