52684 Digital Activism

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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Communication: Digital and Social Media
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 8 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ10050 Digital and Social Media Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09479 48cp Digital and Social Media Major OR 12 credit points of completed study in spk(s): MAJ09487 48cp Digital and Social Media Major

Description

In this subject, students learn about the theories informing digital activism strategies and engage with real world case studies focusing on digital campaigns in the global context. They explore how cultural specificities and digital technologies inform meanings and outcomes in digital activist campaigns and apply this knowledge through the analysis and design of their own digital campaign. Students present their knowledge through use of data analytics, written and visual outputs and engage with professional mentors, guest lecturers and peers to evaluate the role of digital technologies in shaping contemporary social movements.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a.	Demonstrate knowledge of digital activism and the contexts shaping online activist movements
b.	Apply different theoretical positions to appraise the role of digital and social media in activist campaigns
c.	Develop knowledge and appreciation of different regional and cultural variations in communication style & digital tactics/strategies used to produce social change
d.	Acquire digital and professional skills to support the goals of activist movements

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

Act in a professional manner appropriate to communication industries (1.1)
Apply theoretically informed understandings of communication industries to independent and collaborative projects across a range of media (1.2)
Employ appropriate research and inquiry skills to independently gather, organise and analyse information across diverse platforms (2.1)
Act as reflexive critical thinkers and innovative creative practitioners who evaluate their own and others' work (2.2)
Demonstrate a strong awareness, knowledge of, and sensitivity to, diversity, equity and global contexts (3.1)
Analyse and act ethically in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society (5.1)
Exemplify effective and appropriate communication in different communication industry contexts (6.1)
Utilise digital literacy and production skills across a range of media (6.2)

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject integrates contextual and historical knowledge, theories, concepts and scholarly literature to inform an understanding of global digital activism. Teaching strategies promote interactive, collaborative learning with a ‘learning by doing’ approach including the evaluation of real world digital campaigns using data metrics, quantitative and qualitative analytical techniques. Students engage with sector and industry professional guest lecturers and mentors to familiarise themselves with current trends in digital media methods and practices relevant to activist organisations including not-for-profit organisations. Teaching and learning strategies include lectures, case study analysis, discussion, presentations, workshops and small-group collaboration as well as online asynchronous supporting content. Formative feedback will be provided in the lead up to the Assessment 1.

Content (topics)

The subject provides theoretical foundations to broaden student understanding and knowledge of digital activism across regions and cultures. It provides a practical skill-set enabling students to analyse, evaluate and design digital campaigns, which adopt key communication strategies, genres and tactics including: hashtag activism; meme-based engagements; participatory culture; connective action; personalisation of politics; counterpublics; astroturfing, bots + discourse appropriation; branding and influencers; civic engagement; data justice & ethics; live streaming for capturing/evidencing/preventing violence; strategic use of private/encrypted messaging; and digital research methods.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Activist & Social Movement Analysis

Objective(s):

a, b, c and d

Weight:

40%

Length:

1000-word essay

Criteria linkages:

Criteria	Weight (%)	SLOs	CILOs
Clarity of written expression	20	d	6.1
Level of sophistication of analysis	20	a	2.2
Degree of integration of relevant literature and accuracy of referencing	20	b	1.2
Degree of accuracy and appropriateness of data and methods used to inform analysis	20	a	2.1
Level of validity of critical evaluation of cultural context	20	c	3.1

SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Digital Campaign Design