CCB202 Social Media, Self and Society
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: | CCB202 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | KCB206, KCB201 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,124 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $996 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,356 |
| International unit fee | $4,668 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CCB202 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | KCB206, KCB201 |
| Coordinator: | Zahra Stardust | zahra.stardust@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Social Media has had a tremendous impact on our lives as individuals and members of larger societies. The debates surrounding these new and powerful technologies are often multi-faceted in their complexity. In this unit you will develop skills in critically examining and contributing to debates about social media’s impact on issues such as identity, privacy and the ethics of everyday life. You will draw on scholarly research to evaluate opposing perspectives and become critically informed communication professionals.
Please note the online offering of this unit will be available to eligible online BCI students only.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and capacity to apply, key concepts and ideas in the study of social media.
- Apply analytical approaches to produce critical readings of social media texts.
- Deploy critical and analytical skills to consider the role played by social media in transforming economic, political and social practices.
- Communicate your understanding of pressing social media issues in a variety of modes (written, oral and visual).
Content
This unit will address content such as:
- social media, identity and relationships
- privacy, surveillance and data
- race, gender and sexuality on social media
- algorithms and content moderation
- ethics and artificial intelligence
- alternative futures for social media
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught using a mix of lectures, workshops and self-study.
Lectures are designed to provide students with an overview of key concepts relating to each topic area. Workshops and independent learning activities will allow students to explore concepts and materials associated with each topic area in the context of real-world problems and debates and help to further develop the capacity to apply this knowledge to contemporary social media issues as they might play out in your everyday life, both personally and professionally. You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises will be discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- feedback from peers.
Assessment
Overview
There are three items of assessment in this unit: key concept submissions (a response to exercises); a case study and a project. The first assessment items are individual and the final assessment item is a team-based group work on an interactive project.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Key concept submissions
You will engage with real world debates and key concepts related to the study of social media, contributing to online discussions and activities.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report
You will use theories and concepts from the unit to identify, research, and critically assess a contemporary issue related to social media.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Key Issues Project
Work in teams to create an interactive representation of a contemporary social media issue you encountered in this unit that could be used to inform/educate your peers.
This assignment 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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.
You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.
Resources
All unit readings will be made available on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Baym, N. (2015) Personal Connections in the Digital Age (2nd Edition). Polity; Cambridge, England.
Burgess, J., Marwick, A., & Poell, T. (Eds.) (2017) The SAGE Handbook of Social Media. SAGE Publications Ltd, London ; Thousand Oaks, CA
Other
To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate critical digital literacy skills across diverse platforms and technologies, including familiarity with analytic tools to effectively and responsibly interpret data in the media, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
Relates to: ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3 - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO4 - Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
Relates to: ULO1
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Online
| Unit code: | CCB202 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | KCB206, KCB201 |
Overview
Social Media has had a tremendous impact on our lives as individuals and members of larger societies. The debates surrounding these new and powerful technologies are often multi-faceted in their complexity. In this unit you will develop skills in critically examining and contributing to debates about social media’s impact on issues such as identity, privacy and the ethics of everyday life. You will draw on scholarly research to evaluate opposing perspectives and become critically informed communication professionals.
Please note the online offering of this unit will be available to eligible online BCI students only.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and capacity to apply, key concepts and ideas in the study of social media.
- Apply analytical approaches to produce critical readings of social media texts.
- Deploy critical and analytical skills to consider the role played by social media in transforming economic, political and social practices.
- Communicate your understanding of pressing social media issues in a variety of modes (written, oral and visual).
Content
This unit will address content such as:
- social media, identity and relationships
- privacy, surveillance and data
- race, gender and sexuality on social media
- algorithms and content moderation
- ethics and artificial intelligence
- alternative futures for social media
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught using a mix of lectures, workshops and self-study.
Lectures are designed to provide students with an overview of key concepts relating to each topic area. Workshops and independent learning activities will allow students to explore concepts and materials associated with each topic area in the context of real-world problems and debates and help to further develop the capacity to apply this knowledge to contemporary social media issues as they might play out in your everyday life, both personally and professionally. You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises will be discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- feedback from peers.
Assessment
Overview
There are three items of assessment in this unit: key concept submissions (a response to exercises); a case study and a project. The first assessment items are individual and the final assessment item is a team-based group work on an interactive project.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Key concept submissions
You will engage with real world debates and key concepts related to the study of social media, contributing to online discussions and activities.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report
You will use theories and concepts from the unit to identify, research, and critically assess a contemporary issue related to social media.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Key Issues Project
Work in teams to create an interactive representation of a contemporary social media issue you encountered in this unit that could be used to inform/educate your peers.
This assignment 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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.
You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.
Resources
All unit readings will be made available on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Baym, N. (2015) Personal Connections in the Digital Age (2nd Edition). Polity; Cambridge, England.
Burgess, J., Marwick, A., & Poell, T. (Eds.) (2017) The SAGE Handbook of Social Media. SAGE Publications Ltd, London ; Thousand Oaks, CA
Other
To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate critical digital literacy skills across diverse platforms and technologies, including familiarity with analytic tools to effectively and responsibly interpret data in the media, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
Relates to: ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3 - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO4 - Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
Relates to: ULO1
Unit Outline: Summer 2025, Online
| Unit code: | CCB202 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | KCB206, KCB201 |
Overview
Social Media has had a tremendous impact on our lives as individuals and members of larger societies. The debates surrounding these new and powerful technologies are often multi-faceted in their complexity. In this unit you will develop skills in critically examining and contributing to debates about social media’s impact on issues such as identity, privacy and the ethics of everyday life. You will draw on scholarly research to evaluate opposing perspectives and become critically informed communication professionals.
Please note the online offering of this unit will be available to eligible online BCI students only.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of, and capacity to apply, key concepts and ideas in the study of social media.
- Apply analytical approaches to produce critical readings of social media texts.
- Deploy critical and analytical skills to consider the role played by social media in transforming economic, political and social practices.
- Communicate your understanding of pressing social media issues in a variety of modes (written, oral and visual).
Content
This unit will address content such as:
- social media, identity and relationships
- privacy, surveillance and data
- race, gender and sexuality on social media
- algorithms and content moderation
- ethics and artificial intelligence
- alternative futures for social media
Learning Approaches
This unit is taught using a mix of lectures, workshops and self-study.
Lectures are designed to provide students with an overview of key concepts relating to each topic area. Workshops and independent learning activities will allow students to explore concepts and materials associated with each topic area in the context of real-world problems and debates and help to further develop the capacity to apply this knowledge to contemporary social media issues as they might play out in your everyday life, both personally and professionally. You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study, including readings out of class, and in preparation for subsequent classes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises will be discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- generic comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas
- feedback from peers.
Assessment
Overview
There are three items of assessment in this unit: key concept submissions (a response to exercises); a case study and a project. The first assessment items are individual and the final assessment item is a team-based group work on an interactive project.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Key concept submissions
You will engage with real world debates and key concepts related to the study of social media, contributing to online discussions and activities.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Report
You will use theories and concepts from the unit to identify, research, and critically assess a contemporary issue related to social media.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Key Issues Project
Work in teams to create an interactive representation of a contemporary social media issue you encountered in this unit that could be used to inform/educate your peers.
This assignment 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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.
You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.
Resources
All unit readings will be made available on the unit's Canvas site.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Baym, N. (2015) Personal Connections in the Digital Age (2nd Edition). Polity; Cambridge, England.
Burgess, J., Marwick, A., & Poell, T. (Eds.) (2017) The SAGE Handbook of Social Media. SAGE Publications Ltd, London ; Thousand Oaks, CA
Other
To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO1, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Critically analyse, evaluate and synthesise complex forms of information and evidence to inform decision-making, problem solving and argumentation.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project - Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Demonstrate critical digital literacy skills across diverse platforms and technologies, including familiarity with analytic tools to effectively and responsibly interpret data in the media, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO3, Report, Key Issues Project - Create authentic and professional-quality communication outputs that reflect an application of academic content, critical thinking skills, and social awareness.
Relates to: ULO4, Key concept submissions, Report, Key Issues Project
KK43 Bachelor of Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and practical knowledge required for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations, supported by depth in at least one creative disciplinary area.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Demonstrate well-developed cognitive and ideation skills to identify, analyse and evaluate opportunities to address authentic complex problems.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4 - Communicate effectively in a range of forms across multiple media modes, for sharing and disseminating knowledge, skills and ideas, and collaborative practice and navigation of social networks.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3 - Apply and adapt creative disciplinary knowledge and skills with agility in a range of industry, community and intercultural contexts.
Relates to: ULO4 - Embody social and ethical responsibilities and exhibit well-developed judgement with resilience, integrity, curiosity and responsibility.
Relates to: ULO1