Reassessment Coursework Template – Summer 2015
This document describes the arrangements which apply for all students who need to take
reassessment or a first sit over the summer period. The template section is used where the original
assessment task no longer applies at reassessment, in particular where the nature of the
assessment has changed, for example from group work or a presentation to an individual
coursework task. The completed templates are published at
www.londonmet.ac.uk/registry/$services/$coursework-exams/courseworkexams_home.cfm#Course_Task



Any coursework or other item submitted to the Undergraduate or Postgraduate Office must be
handed in no later than 3pm on Wed. 16th September 2015.
There is no late coursework period and there is no deferral process.
Students should be aware that they are expected to submit all items of assessed work and may
be withdrawn/discontinued from their programme if this is not the case.
Module Code:
SM4004 (Term 2) Module Title: New Media
Technologies and Cultures
Original assessment type: Essay (2500 words)
Reassessment type:
Weighting:
Essay (2500 words)
50%
Submission arrangements and deadlines: All coursework reassessments must be
submitted through Turnitin (on Weblearn) no later than 3pm on Wednesday
16th September 2015.
Title of coursework task: Assessment
Item 2: Essay
Rubric (further information about task): A 2,500 word essay
1. To students who submitted but did not pass the assignment: Please rework and improve
your essay. For bibliographical materials please consult the module booklet, lecture slides and core
reading articles uploaded on Weblearn.
2. To students who did not submit: Please choose one out of the ten questions to write a
2,500 word essay
For bibliographical materials please consult the module booklet, lecture slides and core reading
articles uploaded on Weblearn.
SM4004 (Term 2)
Assessment Item 2: Essay
Error! No bookmark name given.
Word limit: 2,500 words
Weighting: 50%
Submission mode: Online submission through Turnitin
Answer ONE of the following questions:
1) Discuss the concept of intellectual property (IP), focusing on copyright. What are the limitations that
existing copyright regulations place on cultural production? What are the alternative systems
regulating IP and copyright in new media?
2) What is self-organisation and how can it be used to understand the ‘social’ aspect of the Web?
3) What is the difference between database and narrative? What does it mean to say that in new
media, database is replacing narrative?
4) How does pixel supersede analogue image? And what does Manovich (1995) mean when he states
that “Lossy compression is becoming the very foundation of digital visual culture”? Discuss in relation
to one or more examples.
5) Do you agree that cultural production on Web 2.0 is based on immaterial labour and free labour? To
illustrate your answer, pick a at least one Web 2.0 application and look through its terms and
conditions of service, the copyright and intellectual property policy and the data use policy or any
other data-related information you deem relevant.
6) Explain how software constrains but also enables the creation of new forms of culture. You should
make reference to at least two examples of software studies.
7) What do different forms of hacking have in common despite their differences in practice? Discuss in
relation to examples.
8) Do you agree that virtual reality is a false reality? And to what extent is the mental and sensorial
world that is experienced through new media (or even old media) merely an illusion?
9) What is remix and what does it mean to say that Web 2.0 is all about the pirate mentality (Mason
2008: 48)? Answer this question by analysing at least one example of remix culture.
10) What does it mean to say that internet memes cannot be copied but only translated? And what do
you think the impact of internet memes on culture will be?
NOTE:
This is a RESEARCH-BASED piece of assessment – you must demonstrate knowledge and
understanding of recommended module reading and of further reading in the relevant academic
literature. Any essay with a bibliography of less than 8 items will lose marks. Any essay without a
bibliography will fail to demonstrate your ability to carry out research.
The use of original examples to support your argument is strongly encouraged for every question.
You should discuss your essay plan with module tutors during assessment weeks and office hours.
Note that the literature cited in the essay questions refers to the recommended weekly reading for
that question’s topic.
DO NOT USE WIKIPEDIA – This is not an acceptable academic source and its use will lower
your grade considerably.
Checklist: Before you submit, please ensure:
a) You have provided a WORD COUNT and have clearly identified the question you have
chosen to answer.
b) That your work is DOUBLE SPACED and PAGE NUMBERS appear at the bottom of
each page of your essay.
c) You have followed the guidelines for REFERENCING your work on WebLearn. This
includes correctly referencing and formatting your citation of both written texts and media
texts.
Error! No bookmark name given.
d) You have provided all relevant information in your BIBLIOGRAPHY and formatted this
information according to the style set out on the WebLearn referencing guidelines.
e) You have read and understood the information on PLAGIARISM contained in the
module booklet
Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in the loss of marks and, in the case of plagiarism,
will result in more severe consequences.
Error! No bookmark name given.