CYB116 Understanding the Internet and Data
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: | CYB116 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| 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 2 2025, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CYB116 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Ehsan Dehghan | e.dehghan@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit explores the centrality of the internet as a communication tool in both the workplace and everyday life. It explores how internet technologies and digital communication platforms refashion communication practices and social organisation, including the centrality of debates around online behavior and codes of conduct. The unit also introduces students to basic data literacy and digital analytic skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Understand the technical and social dynamics of the internet and digital communication platforms
- Apply basic digital literacy skills and media analytics
- Understand and engage in key debates about the internet’s role in modern communication
Content
This unit may cover content such as:
- The internet, communication practices, and social organisation
- Online abuse, anonymity, and surveillance
- Digital divide and algorithmic culture
- Data and media analytics.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in lectures, tutorials and self-study.
You will be expected to complete any prescribed self-study in preparation for subsequent classes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your progressive understanding of key issues and debates in weekly tutorials. You will be provided with marking criteria for all assessment; furthermore, you will be given verbal feedback on assessment where appropriate
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessments for this unit. They require you to demonstrate your grasp of essential unit content, your engagement with in-class discussions, and your ability to apply digital analytic skills to particular data set.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Critical engagement and professional dialogue
This task requires you to demonstrate your developing critical communication skills and capacity for professional dialogue through a series of formal peer group exercises within your tutorial sessions.
Exercises will relate to unit content, readings and key concepts and expectations for how you contribute will be clearly outlined in the assessment criteria sheet.
Assessment: Debate Presentation
Your group will be provided with topics or questions related to contemporary debates about the role of the internet and data in life.
You will present your arguments for your position on the debate or answers to the questions and will engage with the other group's arguments.
Assessment: Data-driven report
You will be provided with a data package relating to a contemporary internet platform, from this you will apply a range of digital analytic skills to analyse the data provided, producing an original critical report.
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
This unit has required readings. All readings and other learning resources will be posted to the unit’s Canvas page.
Resource Materials
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, Debate Presentation, Data-driven report - 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, Debate Presentation, Data-driven report - 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: ULO1, Debate Presentation, Data-driven report - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO2, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Data-driven report - 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: ULO3, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Debate Presentation, Data-driven report - 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: ULO2, Critical engagement and professional dialogue, Data-driven report