BHS3000 - Digital selves

Leader(s): Francesca Collins

Offered

Caulfield Second semester 2009 (Online)

Synopsis

The next 10 years will see a huge increase in the adoption of 2D and 3D virtual environments as spaces for work-related interaction, collaboration and socialising. As the realities of the workplace become less time and space-bound, it is important that professionals possess the skills to enable them to flourish in these environments as well as a deeper understanding and appreciation of the implications of virtual and mixed realities for the questions of identity, selfhood and other. Thus the content of this unit will be both theoretical and applied addressing questions such as: Who am I? Who am I interacting with? Where does the real life me end the virtual me begin, if at all?

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will:

1. be aware of the philosophical and psychological questions related to digital identity
2. have acquired the skills to create a considered and purposeful visual digital identity (2D profiles and 3D avatars)
3. have acquired a critical appreciation of the variety of 2D and 3D digital cultures, sub-cultures, standards of behaviour and their relationship to users' offline lives
4. Understand the affordances of 2D and 3D digital environments for social and professional interaction and collaboration
5. be aware of the legal and ethical questions associated with digital/virtual spaces and presence
6. demonstrate a practical knowledge of the legal issues surrounding user-created content, contexts and virtual property
7. demonstrate an appreciation of the impact of perception and non-physical presence in online consumer behaviour.

Assessment

Avatar creation and 400 word written reflection (900 words): 20%
Group work (900 words): 20%
Independent work (1800 words): 40%
Class participation (900 words): 20%

Students will be required to attend at least 80% of teaching activities (seminars and tutorials).

Contact hours

One 2-hour online seminar, and one 1-hour online tutorial per week.

Off-campus attendance requirements

This unit will be delivered 100% online. Students will be required to attend at least 80% of teaching activities (seminars and tutorials) to pass the unit. Attendance and participation will be monitored via interaction with staff and fellow students and activity log files (e.g., Blackboard logs, Second Life logs,etc.)

Prerequisites

96 points of an undergraduate degree, including 48 points at second-year level