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MN30801: Digital marketing culture

[Page last updated: 15 April 2024]

Academic Year: 2024/25
Owning Department/School: School of Management
Credits: 6 [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 120
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Semester 2
Assessment Summary: CWES 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Essay (CWES 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take MN10573 OR ( take MN10001 AND take MN20016 )
Learning Outcomes: By the end of this unit students should be able to:
  • Critically analyse emergent cultural effects of digital marketing practices;
  • Understand the relevance and implications of these effects in relation to broader culture, social life, and digital marketing practices;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical dilemmas related to both the digital marketing practices and the cultural effects
  • Engage with academic critical theory and processes of critical reflection



Aims: The aim of this unit is to explore the cultural effects of digital marketing practices that are ever more pervasive and intertwined with our social and inner lives. Using social theory and critical reflection, we both practically and analytically investigate topics such as: social media; identity and the self in a digital age; influencers; big data and algorithms; surveillance; and security and privacy. Exploring these topics facilitates contemplation of the cultural effects of digital marketing such as technological addiction and dependency, alienation from self, others and nature, commodification of social life, among others. Students are encouraged to think creatively and bring examples, applications and reflections from their own experiences.

Skills: The key skills that students will attain from this unit include:
  • Critical thinking skills necessary to ascertaining the cultural effects of digital marketing through processes of abstraction (T, F, A)
  • Creative thinking skills in relating personal experiences, academic theory and cultural implications of digital marketing practices (F, A)
  • Written communication skills necessary to writing a cultural reflection (T, F, A)
  • Openness and curiosity for knowledge and deeper understanding of the� world in which we live (F)


Content: This unit aims to address the cultural implications of digital marketing practices. Indicative content includes:
  • History and development of digital marketing
  • Digital marketing and the genesis of social media
  • Big data, algorithms and digital marketing culture
  • Self-identity in a digital world
  • Influencer capitalism
  • Surveillance, security, privacy and risk


Course availability:

MN30801 is Optional on the following courses:

School of Management
  • UMMN-ANB07 : BSc(Hons) Business with Thin sandwich placement(s) (Year 4)
  • UMMN-ANB01 : BSc(Hons) Business Administration with Thin sandwich placement(s) (Year 4)
  • UMMN-AYB06 : BSc(Hons) International Management with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UMMN-AFB04 : BSc(Hons) Management (Year 3)
  • UMMN-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Management with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UMMN-AKB05 : BSc(Hons) Management with Marketing with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2024/25 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2025/26 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2024/25.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.