CCN202 Automating the Digital World
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: | CCN202 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | ((CCN112 or CCQ112) OR ((CCN103 or CCQ103) and (CCN105 or CCQ105))) |
| Equivalent(s): | CCQ202 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $2,976 |
| International unit fee | $4,044 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 04A 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal (Start Date: 26 Feb 2024)
| Unit code: | CCN202 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | ((CCN112 or CCQ112) OR ((CCN103 or CCQ103) and (CCN105 or CCQ105))) |
| Equivalent: | CCQ202 |
| Coordinator: | Patrik Wikstrom | patrik.wikstrom@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces contemporary research on the impacts and ethical implications of automation for communication, media, and society. It explores how Artificial Intelligence (AI), algorithms and other forms of automation are transforming communication, the media and communication industry and the wider society. It also addresses the ethical issues surrounding how these technologies are used. It is critically important that digital communication professionals have a future-focused orientation towards embryonic and emerging technologies that are likely to further disrupt media and communications environments.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Critique the ethical and social implications of artificial intelligence and automation on the ways people communicate online, communication and media industries and the wider society.
- Discuss different ethical approaches to automation and artificial intelligence technologies.
- Evaluate recent scholarship in the field of digital communication on the roles of artificial intelligence and automation.
- Craft effective communication to advise on policy.
Content
This unit will explore the following topics:
- Algorithmic culture and communication
- Automation in media and communication industries
- Impacts and implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for communication
- Ethical practice in the context of automation and AI
- Designing human-centred AI and Indigenous perspectives
- Policy developments in response to AI
- Communicating to policy advisors
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 class/online tutorials
- attending lectures
- 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 in tutorials,
- Self-assessment tools,
- Peer feedback,
- Formal written or recorded feedback on both formative and summative assessment tasks in addition to the grade on the Criterion Reference Assessment sheet.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit you will be required to complete two assessment items:
1. Video Presentation - This task applies critical skills to explain and evaluate, in a video presentation, the ethical and social implications of automation within digital media practice and industries.
2. Report - This task draws on the unit’s introduction to policy developments in response to automation to develop a report on the social and ethical implications of a particular AI-driven technology. The report will include recommendations to policy makers which will be informed by critical perspectives on AI, including Indigenous approaches to the development of automated technologies.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Video Presentation
You will prepare a video for a general audience to explain the ethical and social implications of automation in digital media and communication practice or industries.
Drawing on the scholarship and contemporary issues introduced in this unit, you will synthesise key insights to provide clarity for your audience.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Assessment: Report
You will report on the social and ethical implications of a particular AI-driven technology to policy makers. Recent controversies have stirred up considerable public sentiment about ethical aspects of automation and how it is put to use in certain contexts. In order to provide a more measured accounting, you will also analyse a particular incident involving the use of AI. Provide recommendations informed by Indigenous and critical perspectives on AI.
This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.
Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.
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.
Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Risk Assessment Statement
All on-campus students are required to complete the online Tier 1 General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities.
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.KC87 Graduate Diploma in Digital Communication
- Critique scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO3, Video Presentation, Report - Analyse critical issues in media and communication industries with consideration for diversity.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Video Presentation, Report - Tailor culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO4, Report
KC88 Master of Digital Communication
- Critique and engage in scholarly research in specialised and contemporary digital communication areas.
Relates to: ULO3, Video Presentation, Report - Evaluate critical issues in media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Video Presentation, Report - Tailor and implement culturally appropriate communication strategies and content for a variety of audiences and formats.
Relates to: ULO4, Report