Honours

Why do Honours in Digital Cultures?

An Honours year is an intensive program of advanced study with research at its centre designed to allow students to further explore ideas and concepts introduced in their undergraduate degree and/or develop skills and approaches that will enhance their abilities as digital cultures researchers and practitioners. Students undertake coursework, within the framework of seminar classes, and research and write a substantial thesis on a topic that they work out in collaboration with a supervisor who is a specialist in the relevant field. Completing an Honours program in Digital Cultures gives students the opportunity to extend their intellectual range; hone their skills in research, analysis, and communication; and help them develop the personal and professional skills needed to see a major project though to completion. As well as being the capstone to an undergraduate degree, for some students Honours is also the first step on the path to careers as professional researchers and academics. The training in critical analysis and self-directed research that the Honours year offers makes it a valuable qualification in careers outside the academy as well as within it.

Applying for Honours

If you are interested in applying for Honours you will need to contact the Honours Coordinator to discuss your proposal.

You also need to apply to enrol in Honours through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Courses Online.

All Honours applicants must submit a proposal by the beginning of December that outlines the intended research project. It should be two to three pages in length and include:

• A description of the field you are interested in studying for your thesis and a question/problem within that field that you believe requires investigation.
• A brief literature review that outlines the key theorists in the field, identifying (where possible) where you believe your work will enhance that which has already been done and/or address a gap in knowledge.

Pre-requisites for entry into the Digital Cultures Honours Program

Completion of 48 senior credit points with a credit average in Digital Cultures including Digital Cultures and cross-listed units of study. The Digital Cultures units should include ARIN2600 Technocultures and ARIN3620 Researching Digital Cultures. If you do not have these prerequisites please contact the Honours coordinator to determine possible waiving of prerequisites.

Part-Time and Mid-Year Enrolments

Students must enrol in first semester on a full-time basis. Requests to enrol part-time thereafter will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Students may enter the Honours Program in either Semester 1 or Semester 2.

Structure of Digital Cultures Honours Program

The Honours program in Digital Cultures consists of:
1. a thesis written under the supervision of one or more members of academic staff
2. two seminars that meet weekly for two hours for one semester.
The thesis should be of 18000-20000 words in length. Each seminar requires 6000-7000 words of written work or its equivalent.
The thesis is worth 60% of the final Honours mark and each of the seminars is worth 20%.

Assessments
1x18000-20000wd thesis (60%), 2x6000-7000wd seminar essays (40%)
Classes
1x2-hr seminar/week per semester