50179 Virtual Communities

This subject takes an historical approach to the analysis of changing social relations brought about by the development of new communication technologies. It situates current debates about globalisation and the Internet in the context of discussion around the introduction of the telegraph, radio, television and globalising industries such as print and popular music. It explores historiographical issues including the utopian/dystopian dipole in perspectives, the nature of community in indigenous, commercial and sociopolitical contexts, the scale and pace of historical change over time and space, and changing perceptions about Australia's internal and external relations.