Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
The primary objective of this course is to enable students to get a better understanding of community informatics, its applications in context, and its impact on development and social change. The course will specifically deal with the political and economic drivers that condition the uses of community informatics and will provide a broad overview of the affordances of community informatics. Using case studies of contested issues involving copyright, community-based approaches such as Rhizomatica in Mexico, internet governance, and e-government, the course will offer students an opportunity to understand the uses of community informatics by organisations, governments and activists, the larger politics of access and some of the key factors that either impede or facilitate the practice of community informatics.
The primary objective of this course is to enable students to get a better understandingﾠof communityﾠinformatics as theory andﾠin context, especially asﾠit relates to social change and development. It will specifically deal with the political and economic drivers that accompany and condition the deployment ofﾠcommunity informaticsﾠin development and social change. Using case studies the course will give students an opportunity to understand theﾠdeployments of community informaticsﾠby various sectors including the government and civil soceity. The course will explore the role played byﾠenabling institutions in supporting community informatics and the various factors that remain obstacles to its deployment in various parts of the world. The course will explore some of the key tensions that exist in theﾠenabling ofﾠdigital access and the politics of issues around copyright and open access. At the end of the course students will have a broad understanding of the key drivers that give shape to the practice of community informatics.
Course requirements
Assumed background
While students need not have any specific personal experience in the overseas aid delivery and/or community development fields, an interest in issues relating to these subject areas would greatly facilitate learning. Previous study of communication and social change subjects would also be an advantage, but, again, thisﾠis not obligatory. It is assumed that students have an understanding of basic personal computer packages (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, web browsers) and, during the course,ﾠwill regularly check their UQ assigned student e-mail boxes and the course'sﾠBlackboard site.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
All classes will be held in Goddard Building (8), Room 212 LearningﾠTheatre.ﾠ
Aims and outcomes
Globally, community media and ICTs (information and communication technologies) play an increasingly valuableﾠrole in facilitating effective social change. This courseﾠaims to provide students with an understanding of the underlying philosophies, theories, techniques and approaches related to the use of electronic tools, such as community radio/TV and ICTs, in the development process. Apart from a solid theoretical grounding, successful completion of the course will provide you with the skills to draft simple, practical, project proposals, while also assisting you in gainingﾠan awareness of the design needs to ensure the effectiveﾠdelivery of community-basedﾠcommunication projects and programmes. Another course outcome will be to enable you to demonstrate basic expertise in project monitoring andﾠevaluation. A wide range of exciting employment opportunities now exist in the overseas aid and international development sectors with NGOs, commercial firms, development banks, inter-governmental organisations and governmental agencies. With major aid projects increasingly dependent for their successful implementation on networking and a good understanding ofﾠthe ability to leverage media and ICTs in social change,ﾠthis course will provide you with a comprehensive background in both theory and practise.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Have a broad understanding of the role of ICT4D and community informatics in social change.
LO2.
Critically evaluate the role of community informatics and ICT4D in development and social change.
LO3.
Understand key factors that contribute towards, and impact on the quality and sustainability of ICTs and community informatics projects.
LO4.
Have an understanding of the larger political and economic issues that impact on ICT4D in Development
LO5.
Analyse and examine the relationships between media, participation and voice
LO6.
Critically analyse and draft a simple project proposal for community informatics and ICTs for social change.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflection | ICT4D Reflection | 10% |
25/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Community Informatics & Social Change | 45% Max 2500 Words |
11/10/2024 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Open Data and Social Change | 45% Max 2500 Words |
25/10/2024 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
ICT4D Reflection
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
25/10/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
Chapter 2 in the required reading by Heeks deals with the foundations for ICT4D (2.2-2.5, pp.42-84, Technological, Human, Institutional, Financial). While all four foundations are important, comment on the importance of one of the foundations that you think is absolutely critical when planning for an ICT4D project. Include a reflection on why this foundation is critically important in the context and country that you come from.
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 through the designated TurnItIn assignment 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:
- 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.
Community Informatics & Social Change
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 45% Max 2500 Words
- Due date
11/10/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
On the basis of available evidence, write an essay on the the relationship between digital access and social change? Using illustrations of specific deployments of the digital in community projects, assess the key drivers behind such projects, provide observations on the enabling environments that are required for the successful organisation of community informatics, and the potentials and pitfalls related to such projects.
The Use of AI is Prohibited:
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 through the designated TurnItIn assignment 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:
- 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.
Open Data and Social Change
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 45% Max 2500 Words
- Due date
25/10/2024 4:00 pm
Task description
What are the benefits and limitations of open data and open access? Why do some governments implement Open data projects and others not? Using examples, explain how open data and open access can result in empowerment, access and solutions that enhance democracy and human freedoms.
The Use of AI is Prohibited:
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 through the designated TurnItIn assignment 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:
- 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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
A full,lecture-specific reading list will be made available on Blackboard and during the weekly seminars.
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) |
Seminar |
Week 1: An Introduction to Community Informatics Introduction to the theory and practice of community informatics. This will be preceded by an introduction to the course, learning objectives, learning activities and assessment, course readings. |
Week 2 (29 Jul - 04 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 2: ICT4D: making Sense of ICTs in Development Introduction to the 'official' uses of ICT4D by the State. |
Week 3 (05 Aug - 11 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 3: e-Government: Public Sector Software and Social Change This lecture will explore the uses of public software by governments. While e-government has its detractors snd issues with privacy and surveillance, there is a case to be made for governments using free and open software standards that enables maximum access. |
Week 4 (12 Aug - 18 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 4: Social, Media, Voice & Digital Activism Focus on the relationship between social media and social movements. |
Week 5 (19 Aug - 25 Aug) |
Seminar |
Week 5: Open Software and Open Data Introduction to Open Software and Open data. This lecture will deal with the pros and cons of openness. |
Week 6 (26 Aug - 01 Sep) |
Case-based learning |
Week 6: Cyberactivists and Social Change: The Case of Aaron Swartz Aaron Swartz's life work highlights commitment to openness and access, the moral requirement that publicly funded research is made available to the public, limits to the intellectual property regime and copyright in particular. His life exemplifies some of the key objectives linked to community informatics. |
Week 7 (02 Sep - 08 Sep) |
Case-based learning |
Week 7: Community Telecoms This learning activity is based on a case study of a community telecom initiative in Chiapas, Mexico. It will also deal with the status of such initiatives in other parts of the world. |
Week 8 (09 Sep - 15 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 8: Internet Governance and Social Change This lecture will explore the governance of the internet and its implications for Community Informatics. |
Week 9 (16 Sep - 22 Sep) |
Seminar |
Week 9: e-Waste This lecture will deal with the larger consequences of electronic waste. While we would all agree that the turn towards the digital has been largely beneficial, digital plenty has its own limitations. |
Mid Sem break (23 Sep - 29 Sep) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Mid-Semester Break |
Week 11 (07 Oct - 13 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 11: Community Informatics and Social Change: Dealing with Political Economy and Context The final lecture will deal with the larger context of community informatics, focus on the importance of structures and institutions that often determine the quality of community informatics and the need for us to take 'context' seriously. |
Week 12 (14 Oct - 20 Oct) |
Seminar |
Week 12: Drop in. No Class. Drop in.Completion of presentations. |
Week 13 (21 Oct - 27 Oct) |
Seminar |
No scheduled class. |
Additional learning activity information
Between August 1-15, visiting professor Vinod Pavarala, UNESCO Chair in Community Radio will be on campus and will address the 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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.