Outline

Overview

This unit introduces students to researching innovation practices in the Australian media industry with application to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Students will apply human-centred design principles to investigating the innovation challenges of public service media in the Australian regulatory and industry environment. Students will research a policy program or product strategy in response to problems identified by the ABC, prepare a management report detailing proposed problem-solving outcomes and present these proposals to media executives. They will work in groups to undertake and present the outcomes of their research. In doing so they will examine a range of professional issues including commercial and contractual practices and intellectual property, and gain proficiency in relevant professional practices such as strategy and policy development.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	FASS4903
Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	12
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Fiona Martin, fiona.martin@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Fiona Martin, fiona.martin@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Margaret Cassidy, margaret.cassidy@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small continuous assessment	Media diary and innovation review 2 wks media diary entries & 1x 1000 wd innovation review blog post	25%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2023 at 23:59	Equiv 2000 wds
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project Plan & literature review Project research plan & related literature review (group)	10%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2023 at 23:59	4000 wds
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project Report Update Oral presentation with slides (group)	20%	Week 08 Due date: 22 Sep 2023 at 23:59	10 minutes equiv. 3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Draft research report Draft report (group)	0%	Week 11 Due date: 20 Oct 2023 at 23:59	up to 6000 wd
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Innovation research report & presentation Full report to ABC plus presentation and slides (group)	45%	Week 12 Due date: 03 Nov 2023 at 23:59	10,000 wds
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assignment 1 – Media diary entries and innovation review blog post 25%

For this assignment we are looking for you to fill out a media diary daily as indicated in the Canvas instructions, and to critically review one example of contemporary media coverage of Australian public service media innovation, policy or regulatory issues in a blog post.

Assignment 2 – Group research project plan and literature review 10%

This assignment will be completed in groups of four-five students. The team needs to meet weekly and jointly prepare the Project Plan for their Innovation Research Project and the literature review for that project.

The Project Plan will demonstrate that the student team has assigned tasks collaboratively, planned the research goals, timeline and activities, and assessed the effort and resources required to produce all elements of work. It will also show that your team understands the project brief and has identified the methodology that you will use for the research. A key part of the plan is preparing the timeline of assigned tasks to ensure that your team will meet the deadlines for undertaking the research project and preparing the report and presentation.

The literature review will demonstrate that your team understands the existing research on your innovation topic, and can identify the reserahc gap your project will address.

Assignment 3 – Group project report update 20%

This assignment will be completed in groups of four-five students. Each innovation research project includes analysis and problem solving based on a problem identified by the ABC. Each project requires the student team to regularly meet and go through a number of well-known research analysis and innovation processes to complete their research and reporting obligations. The Project Report Update is to be presented in class to demonstrate that the student team is meeting, completing the Project Plan and is on target to complete the Innovation Research Report and Presentation by the due date.

Assignment 4 – Group draft innovation research report - pass/fail

This assignment will be completed in groups of four-five students. Each innovation research project includes analysis and problem solving based on a problem identified by the ABC. Each project requires the student team to regularly meet and go through a number of well-known research analysis and innovation processes to complete the innovation research project. The Draft Innovation Research Report is submitted to demonstrate that the student team is meeting completing the Project Plan and is on target to complete the Research Report and Presentation by the due dates. The Draft should take the form of a full outline of the final Innovation Research Report and indicate the main ideas and content that will be expanded upon and fully discussed in the final Report.

Assignment 5 – Group innovation research report 45%

This assignment will be completed in groups of four-five students. Each Innovation Research Project includes analysis and problem solving based on a problem identified by the ABC. Each project requires the student team to regularly meet and go through a number of well-known research analysis and innovation processes to complete the innovation research project. The Innovation Research Report is a major report to ABC management demonstrating the research undertaken by the student team. As a management report, it needs to be relevant, engaging and detailed in the discussion of results and the drawing of conclusions. Infographics may be included to make information clear and easy to understand. The team will present a summary slide deck of the insights and recommendations live to the ABC project sponsors, and hand in the full report and the slide deck.

Assessment criteria

Grade descriptors

High Distinction	85-100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating an excellent standard of written English and of criticism, logical argument, interpretation of materials or use of methodology. Evidence of extensive research and use of primary sources, a thoughtful structure, substantial additional work and independent learning. This grade may be given to recognise particular originality or creativity.
Distinction	75-84	Work of superior quality, demonstrating a command of language, sound grasp of content, efficient organisation and selectivity. Evidence of relevant research, additional work and independent learning.
Credit	65-84	A sound performance, competent and appropriate. Work that is well written and demonstrates good research skills. Demonstrates a clear grasp of the basic skills and knowledge. Work of good quality, showing more than satisfactory achievement.
Pass	50-64	A satisfactory attempt to meet the demands of the assignment. Demonstrates understanding and command of basic skills and core knowledge. The assignment may have significant weaknesses, or may not be wholly successful or coherent, but shows at least satisfactory achievement in more important aspects.
Fail	0-49	A grade at this level indicates work of overall unsatisfactory to poor quality with no originality or ambition. Its expression, technical standard, content and structure will be weak. There will be little or no evidence of original research.
Academic Fail	0	Incomplete submission of work. All assessment work must be submitted in this unit to pass.

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Media Innovation and Public Service Media/ Introduction to Design Thinking & Professional Research Practices 1	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 02	The ABC as a Public Service Media organisation/ Professional Practice Research Practices 2	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 03	Introduction to ABC Innovation Projects/Professional Research Practices 3	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 04	Media Industry and Innovation Challenges	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 05	Innovation Skills & Project Management	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 06	Professional Issues & Practices – strategy, policy, commercial	Seminar (3 hr)
Week 07	Diversity in Practice & Presenting Data - Project Research Consultation session	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Mid Project report to ABC sponsors	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Professional Research Report Writing - Project Research Consultation session	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Professional Research Presentation Skills - Project Research Consultation session	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Crafting Insights, Recommendations, & Executive summaries: Project Research Consultation session	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Draft Innovation Report workshop	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Innovation Report Presentations to the ABC	Presentation (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

90% attendance is required at both seminars and workshops. Attendance at group presentations is mandatory unless you have approved special consideration. All assignments must be submitted to pass this unit.

If there is group conflict and two or more group members request a peer review of the group's effectiveness as a research team, then all group members must complete a peer review process in addition to the set assignments.

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 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

You will undertake 4-5 hours of required reading each week in this double weighted unit.

The initial readings for weeks 1-6 are as indicated on the e-reserve reading list on Canvas. The reading for weeks 6-12 will relate to your group project.

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. identify and apply the relevant principles of human-centred design to researching ABC innovation challenges
LO2. demonstrate a critical understanding of the objectives and ethos of Australian public service media, key to developing innovation that responds to the impact of economic, political, cultural and socio-technological change
LO3. work in collaboration as part of an inter-disciplinary team to undertake independent research and prepare a research innovation report in a suitable format for a policy, program or product
LO4. demonstrate presentation skills in delivering research report outcomes to senior media management.
LO5. understand and apply professional concepts and practices such as media innovation, commercial-in-confidence, contracts, intellectual property, strategy and policy development.

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.

This 12 credit point unit is an experience in collaborative industry research and given your feedback that the word counts were too restrictive we have expanded the word count to the equivalent of 9000 wds for each student over the semester. Based on last year’s feedback we have added information on undertaking a literature review, changed the timing and scope of the introduction to the ABC and developed further assignment support materials for research, report writing and presentation. We have also introduced an optional peer review mechanism for this students who have issues with group dynamics during the semester.

Additional information

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit

Site visit guidelines

In the event of an ABC site visit, this class will follow NSW government and ABC COVID19 physical distancing requirements.

Work, health and safety

Due to COVID19, this face to face class will practice personal hygiene in line with University WHS requirements, including students not attending class when ill with COVID like symptoms.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

FASS4903: ABC Innovation Research Project Unit

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

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

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect