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Course Outline

CMN208 Issues in Social Media

Course Coordinator:Lauren Istvandity (listvandity@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2023Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the issues facing organisations, professionals and individual users of social media technologies. Using local and international case studies, you will develop a critical and analytical understanding of the moral, legal and ethical issues arising from contemporary social media use. In addition, you will gain valuable research and analytical skills to develop a critical understanding and articulation of social media issues.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1.5hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1.5hrs Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 10 times

Course Topics

Defining and understanding Social Media

Power, Control and Regulation

Legal and Ethical Issues

Privacy and Surveillance

Social Media Audiences

Trolling and Extremism

Activism

Memes

Crisis Communication and Social Media

Influencers and Celebrity

Social Media and Creative Entrepreneurship

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify and describe contemporary social media issues faced by organisations and individuals. Knowledgeable
2 Analyse and evaluate the ethical and legal implications relating to social media issues. Ethical
3 Apply knowledge of social media concepts to analyse contemporary social media issues and their impact on organisations, social media professionals and individual users. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
4 Synthesise current research to produce relevant recommendations appropriate to a specific target audience Knowledgeable
Engaged
5 Apply appropriate academic literacies to written and oral communication modes. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Drafts of students' Task 1 will be reviewed in-class time in Week 3 and 4 and feedback provided to ensure students’ understanding of course content

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Written Piece Individual 30% 
1200 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral Group 30% 
12 slides in 12 minutes
 Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 40% 
1500 word equivalent multimedia online guide (content to be negotiated with tutor)
PLUS
1200 word analysis
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Literature Review
Goal: 
Through this assessment students will become familiar with and be able to demonstrate developing theoretical knowledge including concepts and approaches to social media.
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
Academic writing. Students will produce a short literature review of 1200 words consisting of 7 sources (5 scholarly and 2
non-scholarly sources) pertaining to a relevant identified topic or issue in social media. The review will demonstrate student's understanding of the text, the main concepts or arguments presented, and the relevance of the text to
the identified topic or issue. The issue must be relevant to topics covered in Weeks 1-5 of course content, and include reference to sources in the reading list.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Selection of appropriate sources and relevance to selected issue
 2 5
2 
Critical understanding of social media issues, theory and approaches
 1
3 
Analysis of ethical and legal aspects of social media issues presented within texts
 1 2
4 
Demonstration of mature academic writing, research, and referencing skills.
 5
All - Assessment Task 2:Case Study
Goal: 
Students will identify and assess problems relating to social media and formulate plausible ways to manage their impact on individual/organisational reputations and the community.
Product: Oral
Format: 
Small group presentation (3-4 people). 

Students will present a comprehensive case study analysis using a relevant news media item, relating to one of the social media issues covered in Weeks 1-8. The case should be a prominent example of the issues, having gained prominence on social media and received
traditional media coverage (television, radio, newspapers), evidenced by adequate research (minimum 6 scholarly sources, 2 media sources). Presentations will be held in workshops for both online and on-campus students.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Critical understanding of social media issues and their impact on individuals, communities, and organisations
 1 3
2 
Analysis and evaluation of ethical and legal issues relating to social media within chosen context
 2
3 
Selection and application of relevant, current scholarship; demonstration of research skills including critical evaluation, analysis, and synthesis of sources.
 3 4
4 
Application of communication skills, including oral presentation skills with consideration of text and audience, and inter-group communication and collaboration
 5
All - Assessment Task 3:Social Media Usage Guide
Goal: 
Students will develop an awareness of the connection between communication and audience as a key part of the process of designing influential communication artefacts for a specific audience regarding social media issues.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Format: 
Students will produce an online guide for a specific target audience regarding one of the issues covered in the course content. Students will define their target audience and produce appropriate and relevant online multimedia content to communicate best practice in social media usage for that audience. 

The online guide will include a comprehensive overview of the issue, background analysis, legal and ethical considerations and 5-10 recommendations relating to best practice regarding their chosen issue.

The accompanying analysis will demonstrate students' approach to analysing and evaluating the issue, with an emphasis on scholarly research and evidence used to formulate the recommendations.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Application of appropriate communication techniques relevant to topic and selected target audience
 4 5
2 
Comprehensive presentation of the selected issue in online guide, including critical analysis of ethical and legal issues, and incorporation of theoretical/scholarly and practical implications
 1 2 5
3 
Production of relevant, evidence-based recommendations appropriate to issue and target audience
 3 4
4 
Application of research skills to synthesise scholarly and non-scholarly sources
 4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements


            

        


        

            

                
Assessment: Submission penalties

                
Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:

5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.

To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome.

            

        


        

            

                
SafeUniSC

                

                    UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app.  For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.
                

            

            

                

                    The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma.  To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
                

            

        


        

            

                
Study help

                

                    For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
                

                

                    If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
                

            

        


        

            

                
Wellbeing Services

                

                    Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
                

                

                    To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
                

            

        


        

            

                
AccessAbility Services

                

                    Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
                

                

                    To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
                

            

        


        

            

                
Links to relevant University policy and procedures

                

                    For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
                    
    
                        
  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
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  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
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  • Supplementary Assessment
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  • Central Examinations
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  • Deferred Examinations
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  • Student Conduct
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  • Students with a Disability
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                    For more information, visit
                    https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
                

                

            

        


        

            

                
Student Charter

                

                    UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful.  The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
                

            

        


        

            

                
General Enquiries

                
    
                    
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                        In person:
                        
      
                            
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                                UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
                            
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                                UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
                            
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                                UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
                            
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                        Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
                    
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                        Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
                    
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