Outline

Overview

The introduction and adoption of new technologies have always had profound social, cultural, political and ethical impacts. This unit explores theories for understanding how technologies emerge and are adopted, and critically interrogates the nature and potential impacts of contemporary emerging technologies such as AI, Robotics, live-streaming, deep fakes, social network manipulation, machine learning, computer vision and the automation of work. Students are equipped with a deep understanding of emerging technologies and issues.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Teodor Mitew, teodor.mitew@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Out-of-class quiz	Weekly Quiz Quiz on topics from the readings and lecture	20%	Multiple weeks Closing date: 02 Nov 2025	10 minutes weekly. 500 wrds-equivalent.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Emerging Technology Presentation Short in-class presentation on an emerging technology. Includes written submission.	20%	Multiple weeks Closing date: 09 Nov 2025	5 min + 5 min Q&A. 500 wrds-equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Debate	In-class debates Strategic team debate on emerging technology. Includes written submissions.	20%	Multiple weeks Closing date: 19 Oct 2025	25 minutes, 1000 wrds-equivalent.	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Experimental design	Speculative Technogram A speculative emerging technology creative project and exegesis.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Nov 2025	2500 wrds	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Weekly Quiz: Each week you will complete a short quiz with 5 multiple choice questions. The quiz will test your understanding of that week’s lecture and readings. Quizzes open at the start of each week and must be completed by Sunday 11:59 PM.

Emerging Technology Presentation: You will deliver a 5-minute in-class presentation on an emerging technology of your choice, based on your own research and analysis. This will be followed by a 5-minute Q&A session, where you will respond to questions from your peers and tutor. You will also submit your presentation slides and a brief Q&A plan outlining key points you anticipate and how you intend to respond.

In-class Debates: Working in a team, you will participate in a scheduled 20-minute debate on a key issue related to emerging technologies, followed by a 5-miute Q&A session. Each team will research and prepare a strategic argument for or against a set question, and submit a strategy outline before the debate detailing the team's overall plan, individual roles, and tactical approach.

Speculative Technogram: This is a hybrid critical-creative project where you will: (1) select or invent an emerging technology and describe its function, logic, and social context; (2) apply at least two theoretical frameworks from the unit to analyse how the technology alters perception, agency, labour, governance, or social reality; (3) create a speculative scenario, such as a fictional news article, policy memo, or visual artefact, that illustrates your analysis; and (4) reflect on the digital tools and platforms you used in developing your technogram, including any use of AI.

Assessment criteria

See the unit's Canvas site for assessment details and marking rubrics.

Also see the USYD Guide to Grades: https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.html

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Acdeptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Weekly	See Canvas for weekly lecture topics	Lecture (1 hr)
Weekly	See Canvas for weekly topics	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend the online lecture, or watch the recording, and complete the required reading before their tutorial each week.

Regular tutorial attendance is essential for success in this unit, as they directly support your weekly quizzes, individual presentation, team debate, and final speculative technogram.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

A full list of links to readings is available on the unit's Canvas site.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate understanding of how emerging technologies reshape perception, agency, and social structures.
LO2. Apply key theoretical frameworks to critically analyse the dynamics of complex technological systems.
LO3. Collaborate strategically to develop and defend argumentative positions on emergent technological futures.
LO4. Design speculative scenarios that synthesise theoretical insight with creative forecasting of technological impacts.
LO5. Reflect critically on the use of artificial intelligence and other digital tools as extensions of cognition, communication, and creative practice.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to valuable student feedback, the assessment suite and learning outcomes have been redesigned to foster deeper and more dynamic engagement with emerging technologies. Each task is structured to build core competencies in theoretical analysis, critical thinking, speculative inquiry, and technological literacy. The curriculum has also been updated to include topics on philosophy of technology, algorithmic perception, the Internet of Things, blockchains, augmented reality, drones, swarm networks, the attention economy, and techno-feudalism.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

ARIN6906: Emerging Technologies and Issues

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links