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Course profile

Communication for Social Change (COMU2311)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
Study level
Undergraduate
Location
St Lucia
Attendance mode
In Person
Units
2
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
Communication & Arts School

Theory and practice of communication and social change, using case studies.

Communication for Social Change (CSC) involves the deployment of information and communication through processes, media and technologies to leverage social change. CSC observes and facilitates the changes that occur in society under the influence of political, economic, social, cultural and environmental contexts. It strives to support sustainable and equitable change processes.

In this course, students will explore the theory and practice of communication for social change, and analyse how it is employed in different contexts, drawing upon scholarly literature, popular media and case studies. We will particularly examine the many ways and contexts in which participatory communication and social movements have been used to foster social change.

Assessment includes workbooks with weekly tasks, a participatory stakeholder consultation exercise presented in audio-visual form, and a written case study.

Course requirements

Assumed background

This course is designed to be taught to second-year students (and above) and is not suitable for students enrolled in their first year.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

Previously completed 16 units of study

Restrictions

Course offering will be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.

Course contact

Course staff

Lecturer

Tutor

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

This course consists of weekly self-directed learning (SDL) modules that are offered on Blackboard, and 2-hour workshops. You are expected to participate actively in the workshops and to do so, you will have to complete the SDL modules prior to coming to the workshop each week, which should take approximately 2-3 hours. Please check Allocate+ for time and venue of the workshopsᅠand select a time slot that allows you to participate every session throughout the semester (Week 1-12).

Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with: 

  • Your name 
  • Your student ID 
  • The course code 
  • A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference) 
  • Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP 

Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team. 

Aims and outcomes

The course aims at providing studentsᅠwith an understanding of theᅠkey principles and practices underpinning communication for social change (CSC) and buildingᅠtheir skills in recognising, planning and implementing CSC strategies.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Understand the key theories and approaches that inform the field of communication for social change.

LO2.

Recognise the application of communication methods, media and techniques to foster social change.

LO3.

Understand the ways in which communication can be used to leverage social change in different contexts.

LO4.

Display the knowledge and skills to, individually and collaboratively, plan, implement and analyse CSC strategies.

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Essay/ Critique Workbook - Participation 25%

2/09/2024 4:00 pm

Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation Stakeholder consultation and presentation
  • Team or group-based
25%

9/09/2024 4:00 pm

Essay/ Critique Workbook - Social movements 25%

23/10/2024 4:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Report - CSC case study 25%

4/11/2024 4:00 pm

Assessment details

Workbook - Participation

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
25%
Due date

2/09/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

The main objective of this assignment is for you to critically engage with the course material of the Participation Block through reflections and exercises that are offered on weekly worksheets in the self-directed learning section on Blackboard, and followed up with discussions during the workshops. A detailed description and marking criteria are provided on Blackboard.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit the completed workbook electronically through Turnitin on the course Blackboard site (Assessment 1 section). 

TurnItIn Receipts: 

Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial. 

When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can: 

  • View the name of the submitted file 
  • View date and time of the upload 
  • Resubmit your paper (if necessary) 
  • Download your submitted paper 
  • Download digital receipt. 

If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work). 

If the submission was not successful: 

  • Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).  
  • Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. 
  • If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached. 

Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment

 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Stakeholder consultation and presentation

  • Team or group-based
Mode
Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
Category
Practical/ Demonstration, Presentation
Weight
25%
Due date

9/09/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L03, L04

Task description

In pairs, students design, implement, evaluate and present a participatory stakeholder consultation exercise on a clearly defined issue in a real-life situation and prepare a video presentation to report the process and outcomes. A detailed description and marking criteria are provided on Blackboard.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Upload the submission sheet in the Assessment 2 section on Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Workbook - Social movements

Mode
Written
Category
Essay/ Critique
Weight
25%
Due date

23/10/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

The main objective of this assignment is for you to critically engage with the course material of the Social Movements Block through reflections and exercises that are offered on weekly worksheets in the self-directed learning section on Blackboard, and followed up with discussions during the tutorials. A detailed description and marking criteria are provided on Blackboard.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit the completed workbook electronically through Turnitin on the course Blackboard site (Assessment 3 section). 

TurnItIn Receipts: 

Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial. 

When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can: 

  • View the name of the submitted file 
  • View date and time of the upload 
  • Resubmit your paper (if necessary) 
  • Download your submitted paper 
  • Download digital receipt. 

If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work). 

If the submission was not successful: 

  • Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).  
  • Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. 
  • If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached. 

Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Report - CSC case study

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
25%
Due date

4/11/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

This assignment involves writing a case study about a Communication for Social Change (CSC) initiative or project that you can choose yourself anywhere in the world. You will choose your case, analyse it, and write a report. A detailed description and marking criteria are provided on Blackboard.

This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Submission guidelines

Submit the report electronically through Turnitin on the course Blackboard site (Assessment 4 section). 

TurnItIn Receipts: 

Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial. 

When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can: 

  • View the name of the submitted file 
  • View date and time of the upload 
  • Resubmit your paper (if necessary) 
  • Download your submitted paper 
  • Download digital receipt. 

If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work). 

If the submission was not successful: 

  • Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).  
  • Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again. 
  • If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached. 

Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Grade Cut off Percent Description
1 (Low Fail) 1 - 24

Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

2 (Fail) 25 - 44

Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes.

3 (Marginal Fail) 45 - 49

Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes

4 (Pass) 50 - 64

Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes.

5 (Credit) 65 - 74

Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes.

6 (Distinction) 75 - 84

Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes.

7 (High Distinction) 85 - 100

Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes.

Additional course grading information

  • Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%. 
  • Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply. ᅠ 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Additional assessment information

  • Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course. 
  • Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator. 
  • Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request. 
  • Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ᅠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university. 
  • Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released. 

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The Required Learning Resources are chapters and papers you will need to read as part of the self-directed learning activities and before coming to the tutorials.

The Recommended Learning Resources are additional books or book chapters of major importance to the field. You can use these to get a further understanding ofᅠthe field and to inform your assignments.

A set of additional resources describing CSC initiatives that can be used for the Case Study assignment is provided on the course's Learn.UQ site.

Students requiring additional assistance with their learning can request assistance from Student Services:ᅠhttp://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/learning.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Week 1

(22 Jul - 28 Jul)

Not Timetabled

Week 1: SDL - Introduction to Communication for Social Change

Self-Directed Learning (Mon-Tue): Introduction to Communication for Social Change - A/Prof. Elske van de Fliert

  • Introduction to the course
  • Introduction to CSC
  • Introduction to participation

Learning outcomes: L01

Workshop

Week 1: Workshop - Getting started

  • Introductions
  • Activity: Visual storytelling
  • Review of introductory materials
  • Getting started on Assessment 1

Learning outcomes: L01

Week 2

(29 Jul - 04 Aug)

Not Timetabled

Week 2: SDL - Module 1: Facilitating participation for sustainable and equitable change

Module 1: Facilitating participation for sustainable and equitable change - A/Prof. Elske van de Fliert

  • Participatory action
  • Participatory methods

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 2: Workshop - Facilitating participation

  • Review of Module 1 materials
  • Activity: Participatory methods
  • Getting started on Assessment 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02

Week 3

(05 Aug - 11 Aug)

Not Timetabled

Week 3: SDL - Module 2: Indigenous perspectives and social change

Module 2: Indigenous perspectives and social change - Mr Francis Nona

  • Australian history
  • Indigenous perspectives and the media
  • A personal story

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 3: Workshop - Discourse and identity

  • Review of Module 2 materials
  • Activity: Deficit discourse
  • Activity: Participatory methods

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 4

(12 Aug - 18 Aug)

Not Timetabled

Week 4: SDL - Module 3: Participation, power and culture

Module 3: Participation, power and culture - A/Prof. Elske van de Fliert

  • Participation and power
  • Participation and culture

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 4: NO WORKSHOP DUE TO PUBLIC HOLIDAY

Week 5

(19 Aug - 25 Aug)

Not Timetabled

Week 5: SDL - Module 4: Participation and media production

Module 4: Participation and media production - A/Prof. Elske van de Fliert

  • Principles of participatory media production
  • Participatory video (cases)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 5: Workshop - Participatory media and empowerment

  • Review of Modules 3-4 materials
  • Case study: Participatory video
  • Activity: Participatory methods

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 6

(26 Aug - 01 Sep)

Not Timetabled

Week 6: SDL - Module 5: Participation and the Sustainable Development Goals

Module 5: Participation and the Sustainable Development Goals - A/Prof. Elske van de Fliert

  • Nations United: Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times
  • Do you know all 17 SDGs?
  • Spectrum of players

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 6: Workshop - Participation in action

  • Review of Module 5 materials
  • Activity: Case studies
  • Stocktake Assessment 2

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 7

(02 Sep - 08 Sep)

Not Timetabled

Week 7: SDL - Module 6: Social movements and social change

Module 6: Social movements and social change - A/Prof. Pradip Thomas

  • Introduction to social movements
  • Communication rights movements

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 7: Workshop - Social movements and social change

  • Review of Module 6 materials
  • Activity: Social movements
  • Getting started on Assessment 3

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 8

(09 Sep - 15 Sep)

Not Timetabled

Week 8: SDL - Module 7: The food sovereignty movement

Module 7: The food sovereignty movement - Dr Daniel Cruz & Ms Jodie Martire

  • The global food sovereignty movement
  • DSS movement in India
  • Food sovereignty initiatives in Brisbane

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 8: Workshop - Global and local movements

  • Review of Module 7 materials
  • Activity: Global vs local movements
  • Getting started on Assessment 4

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Week 9

(16 Sep - 22 Sep)

Not Timetabled

Week 9: SDL - Module 8: Communication rights

Module 8: Communication rights - A/Prof. Pradip Thomas

  • Communication rights - history
  • Language rights

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 9: Workshop - Social media and social change

  • Review of Module 8 materials
  • Activity: Social media analysis

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Mid Sem break

(23 Sep - 29 Sep)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

MID-SEMESTER BREAK

Week 10

(30 Sep - 06 Oct)

Not Timetabled

Week 10: SDL - Module 9: Community radio

Module 9: Community radio - A/Prof. Pradip Thomas

  • Community radio - global
  • Community radio - local

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 10: Workshop - Community media

  • Review of Module 9 materials
  • Activity: Frontier War Stories
  • Peer review Assessment 4

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 11

(07 Oct - 13 Oct)

Not Timetabled

Week 11: SDL - Module 10: Free and open-source software movement

Module 10: Free and Open Source Software movement - A/Prof. Pradip Thomas

  • Free and open-source software movement – introduction
  • FOSS – commons

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 11: Workshop - FOSS cases

  • Review of Module 10 materials
  • Activity: FOSS case studies
  • Stocktake Assessment 4

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 12

(14 Oct - 20 Oct)

Seminar

Week 12: Panel discussion - CSC in theory and practice

CSC in theory and practice - A dialogue with all lecturers and tutors (date, time and venue TBC)

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03

Workshop

Week 12: Workshop - Connecting the dots

  • Student panel session: CSC in professional communication fields
  • Course evaluation

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04

Week 13

(21 Oct - 27 Oct)

No student involvement (Breaks, information)

Week 13: NO SDL OR WORKSHOP

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.