You will examine how media platforms are comprised of data-processing infrastructure, algorithms, interfaces and mobile devices. We critically explore the engineering projects of media platforms in simulation, surveillance, sensing, machine learning, artificial intelligence and augmented reality. The course explores how media organisations engineer and experiment with our social lives, bodies and lived experience.
This is a third year course in the Bachelor of Communication (Digital Media Major) and Bachelor of Arts (Media and Digital Cultures). The course assumes that students have undertaken introductory courses in media, communication, journalism and/or cultural studies majors.
I am available for consultation from 10:00am to 12:00pm AEST on Tuesdays during Weeks 1–13 (excluding the mid-semester break and EKKA week) in Room 713, Michie Building. Please email me in advance of your visit so I can ensure the door is open for you.
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
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:
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
The course aims to develop a critical and historically-informed account of media platforms. We examine critical historical and theoretical accounts of media technologies, especially digital, networked, sensory and data-processing media since the mid-twentieth century. You will explore the political, economic and cultural drivers and consequences of media. The course aims to explore and reflect on the engineering projects of media platforms in augmented reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensing and simulation. You will develop an account of media that draws on critical theories, historical background and contemporary developments in media industries. The course will require you to communicate arguments about media platforms in a critically-informed and engaging way to a public audience using a combination of writing, multimedia and digital production.
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial/ Problem Set |
Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercises
|
30% |
Week 1 - Week 11
(except EKKA Week 3). |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection | Semi-structured Interviews & Report | 40% (3 interviews + a report of 1000 words + a list of quotes) |
26/09/2025 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Essay with an Argument Map | 30% (2000 words & an argument map) |
31/10/2025 4:00 pm |
Week 1 - Week 11
(except EKKA Week 3).
This course demands a serious commitment to reading. Please set aside dedicated time each week to engage with the required readings as carefully and slowly as possible.
Each week, in tutorials, starting in Week 1, there will be a timed writing exercise that must be completed on the provided worksheet. (You are responsible for bringing your own pen or pencil.) You are not permitted to access devices of any kind during the task, but may consult printed or handwritten notes.
You will be given a specific prompt for each exercise that will refer to content from the required readings and lecture, or will be related to the assessment. Tutors will collect the worksheets afterwards to record completion of the assessment task. Feedback will be given informally in the tutorial immediately after writing.
Each Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise is worth 5 points.
You will receive 5 points for each completed and meaningful answer, 3 points for a partial answer, and 0 points for an answer that does not respond to the prompt or if you leave the worksheet blank. You will also receive 0 points if you don't attend the tutorial, or fail to follow the instruction to put away your device during the exercise.
Partial marks will not be given (either you get 5 points, 3 points, or 0 points).
Only your best six Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercises will be added together to give you a final mark out of 30 points. We encourage you to participate in as many tutorials as you are able.
AI/MT Use:
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.
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note that this is an in-class assessment and you are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal. You must attend tutorials in person to complete this assessment unless otherwise approved by the Course Coordinator.
Late submission is not possible for this piece of assessment.
26/09/2025 4:00 pm
In this task, students will conduct and record three interviews (in audio format) with individuals from the same sociocultural group (e.g., same age cohort, occupation, gender identity, cultural background, etc.) to explore their algorithmic imaginaries—that is, their beliefs, assumptions, and everyday "theories" about how platforms and algorithms work, affect them, and shape their online experience.
This assessment comprises four components:
There will be tutorials dedicated to help you with this assignment.
AI/MT Use:
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.
Submit the Report via TurnItIn on Blackboard and the audio files via Blackboard Assignments.
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:
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:
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
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.
31/10/2025 4:00 pm
Building directly on Assessment 2, this assessment is designed to foster a higher level of abstraction, requiring students to synthesise theory, empirical research, and thematic interpretations into a cohesive essay.
The essay must include an Argument Map that clearly outlines the structure of the essay and the relationships between concepts, evidence, and interpretations.
Students are expected to draw on insights, quotes, interpretations, and reflections from their Assessment 2's Report. However, students must also extend their analysis by putting their findings into dialogue with at least two additional concepts introduced in the course.
Your writing should involve a careful engagement with at least four scholars (via journal articles, books or book chapters), with two of the four assigned as required readings for this course. The essay should not only summarise readings but approach these scholars as key conversationalists whose ideas, arguments, and ways of thinking you engage with, employ, and respond to.
AI/MT Use:
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.
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
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:
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:
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
You may be able to apply for an extension.
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.
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. |
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
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 are available on the UQ Library website.
Please see Learning Resources in Blackboard.
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 1: APPROACHING PLATFORMS Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 1: Overview of the course. The Tutorial Writing Exercise begins this week Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 2 (04 Aug - 10 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 2: PLATFORM ECONOMY Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 2: (Please prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise) Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 3 (11 Aug - 17 Aug) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 3: EKKA - No lecture or tutorials |
Week 4 (18 Aug - 24 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 4: FEELING LIKE A PLATFORM: THE CASE OF ADVERTISEMENT Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 4: (Please prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise) Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 5 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Week 5: STUDYING PLATFORM Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Week 5: (Please prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise) Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 (01 Sep - 07 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 6: PLATFORM AESTHETICS Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 6: First tutorial workshop for Assessment 2 In this tutorial, students will workshop their interview plan with tutors and peers, including selecting participants, developing interview questions, and addressing relevant methodological or ethical considerations. Please do the readings and view the lecture to prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise. Learning outcomes: L01, L03 |
|
Week 7 (08 Sep - 14 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 7: MAKING LIFE PLATFORM READY Learning outcomes: L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 7: (Please prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise) Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 8 (15 Sep - 21 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 8: WORKING IN THE PLATFORM ECONOMY Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 8: Second tutorial workshop for Assessment 2 In this tutorial, students will work with tutors and peers to prepare for the Report in Assessment 2, including identifying social patterns/themes across interviews, interpreting quotes, and reflecting on positionality. Please do the readings and view the lecture to prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 9 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Week 9: RACE, GENDER, AND PLATFORMISATION Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 9: (Please prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise) Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Mid Sem break (29 Sep - 05 Oct) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-semester break |
Week 10 (06 Oct - 12 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 10: PLATFORM AND COLONIALITY Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 10: (Please prepare for the Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise) Learning outcomes: L02, L03 |
|
Week 11 (13 Oct - 19 Oct) |
Lecture |
Week 11: WHO CARES? BEYOND PLATFORMISATION Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 11: Tutorial workshop for Assessment 3 Students with work with tutors and peers to prepare for the final essay, including developing an Argument Map. Please do the readings and view the lecture to prepare for this last Weekly Tutorial Writing Exercise. Learning outcomes: L03 |
|
Week 12 (20 Oct - 26 Oct) |
Consultation |
Week 12: Consultation for Assessment 3 Learning outcomes: L03 |
Tutorial |
Week 12: No tutorial |
|
Week 13 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Consultation |
Week 13: Consultation for Assessment 3 Learning outcomes: L03 |
Tutorial |
Week 13: No tutorial |
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.
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.