CCN112 Debates in Digital Culture
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CCN112 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,216 |
| International unit fee | $4,452 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CCN112 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinators: | Sebastian Svegaard | sebastian.svegaard@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces you to current and critical debates about the role and impacts of digital technologies on contemporary culture and society. Addressing topics such as algorithmic culture, data sovereignty, digital surveillance, and sustainability, the unit provides a grounding in key issues and debates that underpin digital communication. In the context of these debates, the unit develops your critical-analytical and academic skills to assess, draw on, and contribute to scholarly and evidence-based research. It also explores the emerging discussions and applications on generative AI and the ethical considerations essential for maintaining academic integrity. The ability to consider different perspectives and draw on current research to discuss emerging debates around digital technologies and their impact is crucial for critically informed communication professionals.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate the effects and impacts of digital communication technologies upon culture and society.
- Research and apply scholarly literature on contemporary issues in digital culture with convincing and evidence-based arguments.
- Build convincing and evidence-based arguments on contemporary debates in digital culture.
Content
This unit will cover a range of topics including:
- Platform governance and economies
- Digital identity
- Cultures and practices on social media
- Algorithmic cultures
- Data privacy and surveillance
- Technological and data sovereignty, including Indigenous data sovereignty
- Environmental sustainability of digital culture
- Gen AI and the future of communication work
- Referencing and evaluating scholarly sources
- Writing an argument
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face. Learning experiences in this unit include:
- participating in lectures/tutorials
- analyse up-to-date digital culture and industry topics in the form of debate
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:
- Informal formative feedback will be provided in tutorials,
- Self-assessment tools,
- Peer feedback,
- Formal written or recorded feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
Assessment
Overview
In this assessment you will complete two tasks:
1. Annotated Bibliography - This task draws on key understandings about the debates covered in the first three weeks of this unit, which can include topics related to digital identity, cultures and practices on digital media practices, and data privacy and surveillance
2. Debate Research Essay and Presentation - This task expands on the debates covered in this unit. You will take a position and develop an argument supported by scholarly research. Possible topics for the research essay include algorithmic cultures, data sovereignty, sustainability and digital technologies, and platform governance.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Annotated Bibliography
You will write an annotated bibliography on the topics provided in the first 3 weeks.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Debate Research Essay and Presentation
You will write an essay and give a short presentation exploring one of the debates covered in this unit. You will need to take a position and develop an argument supported by scholarly research.
The written component is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Risk Assessment Statement
You are advised to back-up your digital files on a regular basis to ensure work is not lost if there is a hardware failure. Information about the free file storage provided by QUT for students is available on the Storing your files page.
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC86 Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in digital communication.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Bibliography, Debate Research Essay and Presentation - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Bibliography, Debate Research Essay and Presentation - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO3, Debate Research Essay and Presentation
KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Bibliography, Debate Research Essay and Presentation - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Bibliography, Debate Research Essay and Presentation - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO3, Debate Research Essay and Presentation
KC88 Master of Digital Communication
- Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, Annotated Bibliography, Debate Research Essay and Presentation - Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Annotated Bibliography, Debate Research Essay and Presentation - Tailor and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO3, Debate Research Essay and Presentation
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 05A 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 22 Apr 2025)
| Unit code: | CCN112 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinators: | Samantha Vilkins | samantha.vilkins@qut.edu.au Xiaoting Yu | x28.yu@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces you to current and critical debates about the role and impacts of digital technologies on contemporary culture and society. Addressing topics such as algorithmic culture, data sovereignty, digital surveillance, and sustainability, the unit provides a grounding in key issues and debates that underpin digital communication. In the context of these debates, the unit develops your critical-analytical and academic skills to assess, draw on, and contribute to scholarly and evidence-based research. It also explores the emerging discussions and applications on generative AI and the ethical considerations essential for maintaining academic integrity. The ability to consider different perspectives and draw on current research to discuss emerging debates around digital technologies and their impact is crucial for critically informed communication professionals.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse and evaluate the effects and impacts of digital communication technologies upon culture and society.
- Research and apply scholarly literature on contemporary issues in digital culture with convincing and evidence-based arguments.
- Build convincing and evidence-based arguments on contemporary debates in digital culture.
Content
This unit will cover a range of topics including:
- Platform governance and economies
- Digital identity
- Cultures and practices on social media
- Algorithmic cultures
- Data privacy and surveillance
- Technological and data sovereignty, including Indigenous data sovereignty
- Environmental sustainability of digital culture
- Gen AI and the future of communication work
- Referencing and evaluating scholarly sources
- Writing an argument
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught via a blended approach that combines elements of online delivery and face-to-face. Learning experiences in this unit include:
- participating in lectures/tutorials
- analyse up-to-date digital culture and industry topics in the form of debate
- engaging with online learning materials
- reading book chapters, scholarly and industry articles
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your learning in a variety of ways, including:
- Informal formative feedback will be provided in tutorials,
- Self-assessment tools,
- Peer feedback,
- Formal written or recorded feedback will be received on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
Assessment
Overview
In this assessment you will complete two tasks:
1. Digital Content Creation Portfolio - This task draws on key understandings about the debates covered in the first three weeks of this unit, which can include topics related to platform power, data sovereignty and data governance, and sustainability of digital media. You are required to design a digital portfolio creatively with the assistance of generative AI tools.
2. Debate in digital culture - This task expands on the debates covered in this unit. You will take a position and develop an argument supported by scholarly research. The topic of the task should be chosen from one of the topics in the second half of the unit, which can include echo chambers and filter bubbles, algorithmic culture, AI and the future of communication work. You are required to develop written arguments and participate in live debates for this assessment.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot)
In this assignment, you will produce a portfolio of digital outputs using Microsoft Copilot (integrated into Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.) to assist with content creation. Each output will address key digital culture topics discussed in class in the first 3 weeks (e.g., platform power, data sovereignty and data governance, sustainability of digital media). The components of the task include a portfolio pdf and a critical process reflection.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Debate in Digital Culture
In this assignment, you will work in a group of 4-5 to debate a key proposition related to digital culture debates covered in the last half of the unit (e.g., echo chambers and filter bubbles, algorithmic culture, AI and the future of communication work). Your group will need to sign up to one of the weekly tutorials to participate in the debates.
Individually, you will submit an Argument Document outlining the key debate topics and propositions covered in the unit. Include a reflection on your role and contribution to the group, the strengths and weaknesses of your arguments and delivery, and insights gained from the debate and group work.
The written component is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Risk Assessment Statement
You are advised to back-up your digital files on a regular basis to ensure work is not lost if there is a hardware failure. Information about the free file storage provided by QUT for students is available on the Storing your files page.
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC86 Graduate Certificate in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in digital communication.
Relates to: ULO2, Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot), Debate in Digital Culture - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot), Debate in Digital Culture - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO3, Debate in Digital Culture
KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot), Debate in Digital Culture - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
Relates to: ULO1, Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot), Debate in Digital Culture - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO3, Debate in Digital Culture
KC88 Master of Digital Communication
- Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO2, Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot), Debate in Digital Culture - Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Digital Content Creation Portfolio (with MS Copilot), Debate in Digital Culture - Tailor and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO3, Debate in Digital Culture