MMS3001 Multimedia Contexts

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

SYNOPSIS

Multimedia has the ability to offer traditional information packages in interactive form as well as generating new types of information structures. This ability raises issues relating to the design, development and application of multimedia technologies, and to the various social, cultural and economic environments in which it operates. This ability of multimedia also implies the need to question the adequacy of conventional models of communication theory to accommodate and develop these innovations. Graduates in Multimedia, in addition to the design, operational and management skills acquired elsewhere in their degree, must be able to evaluate their professional work in its social, cultural and economic context if they are to undertake leadership, management, advisory or innovative roles in their field. This course is designed to encourage students to develop a broad perspective on the issues that impact on multimedia interface design, production and distribution. The course considers political, social, cultural, economic, legal and ethical issues that relate to the design, production and distribution of multimedia products and on the integration of multimedia into the new global communications environment.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. devise and recommend multimedia applications to specific communication needs in a variety of social and economic environments, and to rationalise and explain the reasons for their recommendations;
2. analyse client needs within specific contexts in terms of contextual constraints and limitations, to optimise operational efficiency with minimal disruption to other continuing workflows;
3. advise clients with specialist needs for multimedia applications on appropriate hardware/software combinations in terms of particular contextual constraints (eg applications in teaching, training, corporate communication, etc).

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Johnson, S 1997, Interface culture: how new technology transforms the way we create and communicate, Basic Books, San Francisco.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

OTHER RESOURCES:

Cybersociology magazine (on-line) http://www.cybersociology.com

Leonardo on-line (on-line journal) http://mitpress2.mit.edu/e-journals/Leonardo/lmj/sound.html

Game research (on-line journal) http://www.game-research.com/default.asp

Cyberspace, virtual reality, and critical theory (on-line journal) http://www.cyberartsweb.org/cpace/theoryov.html

Aarseth, EJ 1997, Cybertext - perspectives on ergodic literature, Johns Hopkins, London.

Frasca, G 2000, Ludology meets narratology: similitude and differences between (video) games and narrative, th edn, http://www.ludology.org/ludology.html.

Landow, GP 1997, Hypertext 2.0: The convergence of contemporary critical theory and technology, John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

Laurel, B 1993, Computers as theatre, th edn, Addison-Wesley Publishing, Reading, Ma.

Murray, JH 1997, Hamlet on the holodeck: the future of narrative in cyberspace, The MIT Press, Cambridge, Ma.

Ryan, M-L 2001b, Narrative as Virtual Reality: Immersion and interactivity in literature and electronic media, The John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This assessment item aligns with all of the Objectives.

2.

This assessment item aligns with all of the Objectives.

3.

Exam dates will be advised when timetables are finalised. This assessment item aligns with all of the Objectives.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this external course. However, it is the student's responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   The exam for this course is a CLOSED examination, and candidates are allowed to bring only writing and drawing instruments into the examination.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Any deferred or supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 27 May 2008.