MDIA 3336 - The Digital Image

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

Every time we take a photo, peruse social media, or scroll Netflix, we see and use digital images. What makes us look and keep looking? How are these images affecting us? What role does context and culture play in the meanings the images generate? This course unites theoretical perspectives and understandings of the digital image with media analysis, critical and creative thinking, photography workshops, and reflective practice to encourage you to consider the specific challenges and opportunities of digital technology and culture. We will examine key media texts, technologies, and examples of the intersection between visuality and the digital. Using smart phones and digital cameras, this course encourages you to become a mobile and dynamic photographer. You will become a critically reflective practitioner and develop your technical and professional photography skills while also learning about digital culture, ethical practices, and the contemporary media ecology. We will consider emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, non-fungible tokens, and crypto, as well as Instagram filters, selfies, and archiving.

Open All

Course Details

Course Code	MDIA 3336
Course	The Digital Image
Coordinating Unit	Media
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	At least 12 units of undergraduate study
Assumed Knowledge	At least 6 units of MDIA courses
Assessment	Quizzes, Media Analysis, Portfolio and Exegesis, Participation

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Jessica Ford

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of the expressive and experimental possibilities of digital technologies.
2. Understand key concepts and theories related to digital culture and imagery.
3. Analyse digital images using conceptual and theoretical frameworks.
4. Recognise and explain the relationships between concept and process in the design and creation of digital images.
5. Compose digital photographic artefacts informed by an understanding of critical and industrial contexts and best professional practice

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	1, 4, 5
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	1, 3, 4, 5
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	1, 4, 5
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	1, 2, 4, 5
Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.	2, 5
Attribute 7: Digital capabilities Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.	1, 3, 5
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	1, 3, 4, 5

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Required readings (linked to Library resources) for each week will be available to students via the MyUni course site.

Recommended Resources

Recommended resources, including additional recommended readings (linked to Library resources) and assignment help, will be made available via the MyUni course site.

Online Learning

All required and recommended readings (linked to Library resources), recorded lectures, lecture and workshop slides, and other course materials will be made available to students via the MyUni course site. MyUni will also be used for student announcements, discussion boards, and for the submission of assignments.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course is taught in weekly three-hour workshop format, supplemented by online materials.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Concept videos - ~1hr per week x 10 weeks	10 hours per semester
Workshops - 2 hr per week x 10 weeks	30 hours per semester
3 hours reading and workshop preparation per week	36 hours per semester
7 hours assessment preparation, independent research, and photography practice per week	84 hours per semester
	TOTAL = 160 hours per semester

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

ASSESSMENT TASK	TASK TYPE	WEIGHTING	COURSE LEARNING OUTCOME(S)
Quizzes	Formative and summative	20%	1
Media analysis	Formative and summative	30%	2, 3
Portfolio and exegesis	Summative	40%	1, 2, 4, 5
Active participation and engagement	Summative	10%	1, 2, 3, 4

Assessment Detail

Quizzes (weighting 20%): Two short (10 questions each) online quizzes, testing knowledge of readings and course content.

Media analysis (weighting 30%): 2000-word media analysis assessing students’ ability to synthesise conceptual and theoretical ideas about digital culture through an analysis of specific digital images.

Portfolio and exegesis (weighting 40%): Creative portfolio of 8 digital images and a reflective exegesis of 2000 words.

Participation (weighting 10%): Active participation and engagement in weekly workshops.

Submission

All assignments will be submitted via the MyUni course site.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator