University of Technology Sydney

52685 Working with Data and Code

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

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): 16 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
Anti-requisite(s): 54063 Code as Literacy, Commodity, Infrastructure

Description

This subject allows students to develop their conceptual and practical understanding of the key themes of code, data and algorithms within the context of designing and building a creative code prototype. It advances students' code and data literacy to enable them to communicate with programmers and technical teams in multidisciplinary environments. Conceptually, students explore code, data and algorithms from historical and social viewpoints, alongside a variety of digital media contexts. Students develop a practical understanding of code, data and algorithms, through a process of 'learning by design' as they prototype their chosen creative code project. As students build their project, they collaborate with peers to deepen their communication and literacy skills. Students critically reflect on their learning experience and demonstrate the development of their code and data literacy.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

a. Develop fundamental code and data literacy including from historical and social contexts
b. Plan, design and build a creative code prototype
c. Communicate and articulate code concepts within the context of a creative code prototype
d. Engage in self-reflective professional development
e. Collaborate effectively with peers

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)
  • 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

Face-to-face classes incorporate a range of teaching and learning strategies including case study analysis, presentations, hands-on coding activities and collaborative prototype development. These are complemented by preparatory work prior to attending classes using online resources such as websites and videos, and online technical skill development for certain software using digital resources. Initial classes introduce students to basic coding concepts through practical activities for a variety of coding environments which they can then choose from to create their prototype. As the subject progresses, more time is afforded to prototype development and code creation as they begin to iterate their prototype.

Students receive formative and summative feedback throughout the semester, including from early weeks. Students are provided with formative feedback during classes as their prototypes are developed and become more advanced. Feedback guides both conceptual and technical improvements to their creative code prototype as a result of in-class project demonstrations and user testing. Students receive summative feedback in response to their submitted assessment items that is focused on assessment outcomes. Summative feedback may also provide information on specific aspects of the submitted assessment, strategies for improvement, advancements of strengths, and notable aspects of work. It is provided in written form and will be published along with grades.

Content (topics)

Students are introduced to code and computing practices from historical, social and practical perspectives. Then, in turn, they explore each of the key themes of code, data and algorithms in greater depth. They learn essential principles of data structures and coding languages, how to articulate the operation of their prototype's code, and describe potential future implications of code within society.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Code Prototype Pitch

Objective(s):

a, b and c

Weight: 40%
Length:

3-minute video.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Clarity and depth of the description of the project problem or challenge 25 a, c 6.1
Quality of identification of project type and justification of coding environment 25 b, c 1.2
Identification of code and other relevant resources needed to complete the prototype 20 b, c 2.1
Overall feasibility and quality of proposed timeline 15 b 2.1
Quality of clarity of the presentation 15 c 6.1
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Assessment task 2: Code Prototype Project

Objective(s):

a, b, c, d and e

Weight: 60%
Length:

3-minute explainer video, 1000-word personal critical reflection, Git repository.

Criteria linkages:
Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs
Quality of project overview and depth of understanding of demonstrated project code 35 a, b, c 2.1
Overall quality and clarity of the explainer video 10 a, c 6.2
Depth and quality of written reflection and degree of synthesis with the literature and project journal 35 a, d 1.1
Evidence of peer collaboration, clarity of expression and quality of APA referencing 10 a, e 2.2
Degree of original code within the prototype, quality of code comments, completeness and quality of Git repository 10 a, b 6.2
SLOs: subject learning objectives
CILOs: course intended learning outcomes

Minimum requirements

Attendance at classes is essential in this subject. Classes are based on a collaborative approach that involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. A roll will be taken at each class. Students who have more that two absences from class will be refused final assessment (see Rule 3.8).

Required texts

There are no required texts for this subject. Recommended readings will be available via UTS Library and through the subject site.