Course coordinator
Dr Bonnie Evans
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
You will undertake original research and produce a publicly accessible digital media product that may examine a significant political, social or cultural issue.
In Digital Project, students research and design a digital media project that brings together the theoretical frameworks and technical skills that they have accrued throughout the Communication degree. The course enables students to synthesise knowledge and connect theory with practice This is not a craft-based course intended to teach the technical skills of visual design and production, but rather a course that examines significant political, social and cultural issues through original research via the production of aﾠdigital media product. Students are expected to be familiar with the Adobe Creative Suite or similar audio-visual production software which will beﾠinvolved in completing the assessment tasks (and this will be supported through optional workshops and online tutorials run in association with regular class sessions). The course is an upper-level communications course designed to challenge students to envision and shape their sense of agency and intervention in their media environments.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students are expected to be familiar with the Adobe Creative Suite or like audio-visual production software.
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
COMU1140
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
COMU3000
Restrictions
Course offering may be cancelled unless a minimum of 20 students enrol.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Bonnie Evans
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Most lecture material will be on Blackboard Ultra. As a result, attendance of the workshops is required as the main place for consultation on projects, work with peers, and discussion of readings.ﾠ
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 to understand and addressﾠhow media technologies and platforms are culturally and historically situated through upper level media theory, theory-centred readings,ﾠand reflective, research methodologies in online and tutorial sessionsﾠthat develop creative, flexible thinking and include both individual and peer-assisted modes of learning.ﾠAssessments are designed around a semester-long project that connects upper level media theory toﾠthe project of conceiving a new media technology.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation/ Student contribution |
In-Class Activities
|
30% 6 tasks X 5 marks |
19/08/2025 - 21/08/2025 26/08/2025 - 28/08/2025 2/09/2025 - 4/09/2025 9/09/2025 - 11/09/2025 16/09/2025 - 18/09/2025 23/09/2025 - 25/09/2025 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Portfolio, Project | Media Proposal and Design Draft | 30% 1000 words |
12/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation, Portfolio, Project | Media Portfolio and Presentation | 40% 1000 words |
20/10/2025 - 27/10/2025
Presentations will take place the last two weeks of class in workshops (Weeks 12 and 13). |
Assessment details
In-Class Activities
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Participation/ Student contribution
- Weight
- 30% 6 tasks X 5 marks
- Due date
19/08/2025 - 21/08/2025
26/08/2025 - 28/08/2025
2/09/2025 - 4/09/2025
9/09/2025 - 11/09/2025
16/09/2025 - 18/09/2025
23/09/2025 - 25/09/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03
Task description
In this course, workshops are designed to support your learning and actively scaffold assessment tasks. Six (6) workshops (Week 4-9) will include a set of in-class activities relating to the weekly topic, reading and lecture. They may also involve practical making tasks. These tasks will require critical thinking and prior preparation through attending lectures and engaging with course readings and resources. These activities and responses, unless necessarily different due to the nature of the task, will be handwritten and the use of machine translation will not be permitted. They are worth 5 marks each, with a total of 30 marks available. These must be completed in class.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on the course Blackboard site.
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.
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.
Media Proposal and Design Draft
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Portfolio, Project
- Weight
- 30% 1000 words
- Due date
12/09/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
You are a designer working for a big tech company, tasked with proposing and designing a new media technology. You will research, conceptualise and design a new media technology or platform that is plausible as a digital media technology of the near future. The idea and design of the media technology should respond to a social, political or cultural issue, and must be informed by independent academic research and relevant course material. You will submit 1) a design rationale of 1000 words explaining the features of your design, your design process, and how your design relates to a social, political or cultural issue. You will also create 2) an audiovisual media product demonstrating the features of your design, such as diagrams or product mockups. You must also submit some evidence that you made the design in question. Further details will be made available in a task sheet and rubric on Blackboard.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via the course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
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.
Media Portfolio and Presentation
- Mode
- Oral, Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia, Written
- Category
- Presentation, Portfolio, Project
- Weight
- 40% 1000 words
- Due date
20/10/2025 - 27/10/2025
Presentations will take place the last two weeks of class in workshops (Weeks 12 and 13).
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
You are a museum curator in the year 2100, working on an exhibition exploring media technologies of the 21st century. You will create and present a series of digital media artefacts (photos, advertisements, videos, social media content, packaging designs etc.) about the media technology you created for the media proposal, alongside curatorial notes explaining the origins and design of the artefacts and why they are relevant to the exhibition. These artefacts should be chosen to demonstrate how the media technology you created for the first assessment was marketed and received by society, exploring the consequences of the technology through social, political and cultural lenses. You must submit your Adobe project files and cite any images/assets you have sourced to use in the portfolio. Your own creative work will be highly valued. Finally, you will submit and present a 500 word critical reflection on how the portfolio uses design to speculate about the future and critically speak to the present, with reference to course readings and materials and your own academic research.
The final assessment consists of three components:
- Media Portfolio
- Curatorial Notes and Critical Reflection
- Presentation
Media Portfolio: Students are expected to hand in a media portfolio that builds on their designs from the Media Proposal and Design Draft. The portfolio should explore social, cultural or political issues through audio-visual means, bringing strong understandings of media theory to life. The content of the portfolio should be discussed with your tutor in advance of submission, but must have been created using the Adobe suite unless permission is received from your tutor. It can include a wide variety of mediums and forms, but all media must be edited and polished with attention to typography and other design aspects, and incorporating strong prose or copy. If internet-sourced imagery is used, it has been cited and substantially altered in software programs alongside original material. The project should not rely on AI produced imagery in a way that jeopardises the project's originality and the student's demonstration of advanced media production skills.
Curatorial Notes and Critical Reflection: You will write 500 words of curatorial notes from the perspective of a curator, explaining the origins and design of the media artefacts, and why they are relevant to the exhibition. You will also submit a 500 word critical reflection from your own perspective that explains how the portfolio uses design to speculate about the future and critically speak to the present, with reference to course readings and materials and your own academic research. This should be submitted alongside the portfolio.
Presentation: In weeks 12 and 13, you will be assigned a week to give a short presentation about your project. This presentations should explain the media technology, the media artefacts you've created, and how they speak to a social, political or cultural issue with reference to academic research and course materials.
Further details will be made available in a task sheet and rubric on Blackboard.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Recording of Oral and Practical Assessment:
All presentations will be recorded for marking purposes via recording facilities available where the assessment takes place (eg. ECHO360, Zoom, camera device)
Recordings will be retained by the School of Communication and Arts for at least 12 months from the release of the final grade for the course.
Recordings will be stored in a secure manner and will only be accessed by authorised school staff for the purposes of:
- Moderation of marking;
- Provision of feedback to the student(s) recorded; and/or
- Re-marking following a successful re-mark application
Submission guidelines
Statement and project: Submit via the course Blackboard site.
Presentations: Will take place the last two weeks of class in workshops (Weeks 12 and 13).
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Please note, students are NOT able to apply for an extension for the in-class presentation component of this assessment. Please contact your tutor/course coordinator to see if alternative arrangements are available.
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.
Late submission is not possible for the presentation component of this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
It is required that you regularly monitor the Blackboard site and your student email as these are very important means of communication, particularly with regard to assessment.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 1 Lecture: Imagining -- Speculative Design and Digital Media Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 1: NO WORKSHOPS Workshops start in Week 2. Start thinking of a proposal idea in advance of the first workshop. |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 2 Lecture: Imagining -- Anxieties and Utopian Possibilities of Digital Media Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 2: Workshop - Imagine Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 3 Lecture: Futures and Story Thinking (Guest Lecture: Joanne Anderson) Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 3 - NO WORKSHOPS Royal Show Holiday on Wednesday -- online self guided activities |
|
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 4 Lecture: Designing -- What will my technology look like? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 4 - Workshop - Design 1 Assessed In Class Activities begin Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 5 Lecture: Design - How will my technology work? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 5 Workshop - Design 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 6 Lecture: Experience -- Who will use my technology? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 6: Workshop - Experience 1 We will be conducting UX research that goes into the proposal Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 7 Lecture: Experience - How will users experience my technology? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 7: NO WORKSHOP Production week! Work on your proposals and design draft. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 8 Lecture: Experience - How could my technology glitch? Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 8: Workshop - Experience 2 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 9 Lecture: Futures -- Power and surveillance Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 9: Workshop - Futures 1 Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID SEMESTER BREAK : NO CLASSES |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 10 Lecture: Futures -- Industries and environments Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 10: Workshop Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 11 Lecture: Futures - Transformations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Workshop |
Week 11 Workshop - Consultations No workshop -- the course coordinator will be holding consultation times. Please use this time to work on your portfolios and presentation. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Workshop |
Week 12: Workshop - Presentations Final presentations. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Workshop |
Week 13: Workshop - Presentations Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
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:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however, please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.