Course coordinator
Dr Maureen Engel
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
In this course, students will develop skills in creative technologies to design prototype projects for performed, installed, recorded or coded digital artworks. By combining critical thinking and practical design skills, interests and knowledge, students will explore the collaborative dynamics and multi-media skills of contemporary digital cultures and arts practice. Although COMU3201 can be taken alone, it can also be taken as the precursor to the companion course COMU3202 in Semester 2, which finalises digital arts projects for public exhibition.
We are immersed in technology. Virtually every facet of public and private life has been transformed by our devices, our screens, and our machines. This course engages our technological reality in both theoretical and practical ways. Theoretically, we'll consider how digital culture encourages us to perpetually focus on the next new thing, and how it frequently frequently neglects the long histories, ethics, and implications of our technologies. This course considers how each of those dynamics relates to our lives—to our understandings of each other and our interactions with the world around us, and how they influence and determine how we develop and use digital objects. Our conception of “technology” in this context is broad -- extending beyond gadgets and machines to include a host of apparatuses that have affected perception, representation, and communication.
On a practical level, you will bring those theoretical insights to bear on a significant digital creation. You will work to explore the conceptual, expressive, technical and aesthetic possibilities of digital arts practice. Each week, we will use our workshop sessions to practice creating, and to develop your ideas towards your final projects, paying close attention to both creative ambition and effective project management. In our weekly discussions, we will critically explore the social, technical and commercial contexts in which contemporary digital arts practice operates.
While this course assumes some prior engagement with one or more aspects of creative arts and digital production, our projects will be supported by access to introductory software learning courses as well as digital production hardware and facilities available via the School of Communications and Arts JacTech team (https://jactech.com.au). If you want to make use of software training sessions, it is important to to book as early as possible.
The nature of your project, the software, hardware and medium used will all vary according to the interest of students. The same is true of the creative concepts, formats and styles that you choose to develop. The rationale, context and purpose of your projects are a central focus of final the assessments.
Course requirements
Assumed background
It is assumed that students will have a basic proficiency in one or more processes of digital media production and/or design processes, based upon learning in pre-requisite courses.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
4 units from MSTU1001, COMU1120, COMU2150, (COMU1140 or DSGN1100)
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
COMU3020
Course contact
Course coordinator
Dr Samantha Lindop
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Maureen Engel
Dr Samantha Lindop
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
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
This course provides the opportunity for students to combine critical and practical skills in the conception and collaborative design of a digital arts project.
The course will provide students with a grounding in:
-understanding the way digital technologies are used in a broad range of contemporary art practices including visual arts, time-based art, sound, videogames, computing, and interactive media
-contemporary theoretical debates and conceptual issues informing digital art practice and criticism
-critical and analytical frameworks for the analysis and evaluation of digital artworks
-the diverse range of art practices enabled by digital technologies
-contemporary theoretical debates and conceptual issues informing both digital art practice and criticism and art history more generally
-independent learning and critical thinking
-research and inquiry skills
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate advanced skills in the use of digital technologies in expressive arts
LO2.
Develop collaborative creative skills in line with industry working practices
LO3.
Deploy effective professional methods in collaborative project management
LO4.
Design innovative uses of digital technologies for arts practice
LO5.
Employ critical thinking to address important social and cultural issues
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection |
Reading Log
|
25% 5 entries |
30/05/2025 4:00 pm
The assessment can be submitted once all five entries have been written, which will vary by the topics selected; however, it must be submitted no later than the end of Week 13. |
| Presentation |
Project Pitch
|
15% 5-minute presentation |
Week 7 - Week 10
In-class presentation |
| Project | Project Plan | 20% |
17/04/2025 4:00 pm |
| Presentation, Product/ Design, Project, Reflection | Digital Arts Prototype | 40% |
23/05/2025 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Reading Log
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 25% 5 entries
- Due date
30/05/2025 4:00 pm
The assessment can be submitted once all five entries have been written, which will vary by the topics selected; however, it must be submitted no later than the end of Week 13.
- Other conditions
- Longitudinal.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04, L05
Task description
Between session 2 and session 10, students will select five weekly topics as the subject of a reading log. For each selected topic, they will then choose a single reading and outline the major ideas and arguments it expresses, its relevance to the digital and/or the student's final project, and a reflection on what the student learned from it.
The assessment can be submitted once all five entries have been written, which will vary by the topics selected; however, it must be submitted no later than the end of Week 13.
A comprehensive description of this assessment and grading rubric will be available in Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are permitted to use Machine Translation (MT) to assist with their work, but must not copy text directly from MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via 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.
Project Pitch
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 15% 5-minute presentation
- Due date
Week 7 - Week 10
In-class presentation
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students will be required to make a 5-minute presentation of their proposed project, including a clear and compelling case for their ideas and intentions, skills, and project planning.
A comprehensive description of this assessment and grading rubric will be available in Blackboard.
Submission:
Presentations will occur during session 6-9 (teaching weeks 7-10) Apr 8, Apr 15, Apr 29 and May 6. Sign-up will be first come first-served in Blackboard. The advantage of choosing to go early is having more time to work with your colleagues' feedback; the advantage of going later is having more time to develop and refine your pitch.
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
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are permitted to use Machine Translation (MT) to assist with their work, but must not copy text directly from MT tools.
Submission guidelines
In-class presentation
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please note: this is a in-class assessment item and students are NOT able to apply for an extension via the Unitask portal. In extremis, please contact your course coordinator directly to see if alternative arrangements are available.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this assessment.
Project Plan
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
17/04/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
The project plan will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for your final digital arts project, combining theoretical frameworks with practical execution strategies. This document should demonstrate your critical understanding of digital culture and technologies while outlining concrete steps for project completion.
Objectives:
- Develop a theoretically-grounded framework for analysing and creating digital art
- Demonstrate project management and planning skills for your project
- Articulate the relationship between critical thinking and practical implementation
- Identify and plan for your skill development needs
- Provide a clear and achievable timeline for developing your project
A comprehensive description of this assessment and grading rubric will be available in Blackboard.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are permitted to use Machine Translation (MT) to assist with their work, but must not copy text directly from MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via 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.
Digital Arts Prototype
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Presentation, Product/ Design, Project, Reflection
- Weight
- 40%
- Due date
23/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
A comprehensive task description and grading rubric will be available in Blackboard. Please consult those documents.
There are three components to the final project: 1) The final digital project itself; 2) A video walkthrough of the project; 3) A KASE table
1) The digital project will be a substantial, well developed, digital piece that you have developed over the whole semester with input from your colleagues and instructors. It should be developed enough that it is a fully functioning beta expression of your ideas. Its form will vary depending on the student and your interests, but it might be something like a podcast, or a prototype for wearable tech, or a 3d printed design and object, or an AR installation, or a game. You are only limited by the combination of your imagination, your skills, and your available time! Note that attendance in class and participation inp activities will be vital to developing an appropriate and manageable project.
2) The video walkthrough should provide a critical reflection on the project, including but not limited to:
- The creative concept and social context of the work
- The aesthetic and technical composition of the work
- The decisions that have been taken in the design process
- The work remaining and issues to be addressed before taking this project public
- The skills developed and lessons learned from designing this project.
It is also your opportunity to explain how the project *ought* to work (even if it it doesn't yet) and your vision for it as a completed, professional piece of work.
3) The KASE table is a reflection on the project and your process for developing and building it. KASE stands for Knowledge, Attributes, Skills, and Experiences; the table itself is 1-2 pages long, and populated by bullet points for each category (Knowledge: I know about... Experience: I am... etc.) Comprehensive examples will be provided in Blackboard for you to use as models, and we will spend time in class discussing the components.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct. Students are permitted to use Machine Translation (MT) to assist with their work, but must not copy text directly from MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via 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.
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.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not 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
All course materials are available on Blackboard
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 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 1: NO CLASS Classes start in Week 2 |
Week 2 |
Workshop |
Week 2: Introduction Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
Week 3 |
Workshop |
Week 3: Digital Aesthetics Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 4 |
Workshop |
Week 4: Painting and Optical Tools Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L04 |
Week 5 |
Workshop |
Week 5: Photography - Reality and Reproduction Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 6 |
Workshop |
Week 6: Audio, Video and Time-Based Works Learning outcomes: L02, L04, L05 |
Week 7 |
Workshop |
Week 7: Robotics, Cyborgs, and Avatars Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 8 |
Workshop |
Week 8: Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 9 |
Workshop |
Week 9: Gaming Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 10 |
Workshop |
Week 10: Marginalised Community Production and Circulation Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 11 |
Workshop |
Week 11: Generative AI Learning outcomes: L02, L03, L04 |
Week 12 |
Workshop |
Week 12: Project Consultations |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 13: NO CLASS |
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.