The Digital Economy
UndergraduateCUR-NET2052025
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.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Enrol by
- 23 Nov 2025
- Entry requirements
- Prior study needed
- Duration
- 13 weeks
- Start dates
- 2 June 2025,
- 1 Dec 2025
- Price from
- $2,346
- Upfront cost
- $0
- Loan available
- HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP available
The Digital Economy
About this subject
At the completion of this subject students will be able to:
- understand and apply collaborative skills relevant to the digital economy
- analyse the relationship between the Internet and capitalism, with reference to specific case studies
- demonstrate understanding of the role of ‘free’ labour in the digital economy.
- Introduction: the Digital Economy
- Collaborating Effectively Online
- The Digital Economy is about... Networks
- The Digital Economy is about... Platforms
- The Digital Economy is about... Attention
- The Digital Economy is about... Growth
- The Digital Economy is about... Flexibility
- Team Report Workshop
- Digital Capitalism
- Gift Economies
- Peer-to-Peer Economies
- Conclusion
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 Academic Integrity module.
- Essay (35%)
- Project Plan (20%)
- Group Project Report (45%)
For textbook details check your university's handbook, website or learning management system (LMS).
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Entry requirements
Prior study
To help set you up for success before you start this subject, we suggest completing or having equivalent knowledge in:
one of
- CUR-WEB101-Web Communications
CUR-NET11 (Not currently available)
and one of
- CUR-NET102-Digital Culture and Everyday Life
CUR-NET12 (Not currently available)
Equivalent subjects
You won't be able to enrol into this subject if you've already successfully completed or currently enrolled in the following subject(s) as they are considered anti-requisites due to the similarity of the content.
Others
NET12 is the same as NET102 and NET11 is the same as WEB101.
Additional requirements
No additional requirements
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.
What to study next?
Once you’ve completed this subject it can be credited towards one of the following courses
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-ICP-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Fine Art) (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-FAI-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)
UndergraduateCUR-NET-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 (Korean Studies)
UndergraduateCUR-KOR-DEG
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
UndergraduateCUR-PWP-DEG
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