PRFM6902: Semester 1, 2026

Units PRFM6902 Semester 1 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

PRFM6902: Presenting for Digital Media

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

What is involved in performing for media? In this unit you will develop practical performance skills for a range of contexts, from presentations and pitches to on-camera and audio production. In a series of hands-on workshops, students will learn performance techniques, and will have the opportunity to develop and apply those techniques across a range of contexts and platforms. Students will also learn to apply theories of performance and develop the skills to analyse performance across a range of platforms.

Unit details and rules

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

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ian Maxwell, ian.maxwell@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	scripted presentation to camera Students will submit a 10 minute presentation to camera, applying techniques and skills developed through the semester.	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 09 Jun 2026 at 23:59	10 minutes/2000 word equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Oral presentation Students will perform a five minute presentation to their class, applying techniques developed over the semester.	15%	Multiple weeks	5 minutes	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Q&A following presentation, submission or placement	Peer response to student work Each student will write a short response to a peer's oral presentation, briefly identifying strengths and weaknesses	10%	Multiple weeks	500 words	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Weekly task #1 A short response to class activities	9%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2026 at 23:59	200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Weeky task #2 A short response to class activities	9%	Week 05 Due date: 27 Mar 2026 at 23:59	200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Weekly task #3 A short response to class activities	9%	Week 06 Due date: 03 Apr 2026 at 23:59	200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Weekly task #4 A short response to class activities	9%	Week 07 Due date: 17 Apr 2026 at 23:59	200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Weekly task #5 A short response to class activities	9%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Apr 2026 at 23:59	200 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

1 x early feedback task (200 words; 0%)

5 x short weekly tasks (200 words each; 9% each)

1 x 5 minutes oral presentation (15%)

1 x 10 minute video presentation (30%)

1 x peer response (500 word; 10%)

Assessment criteria

A rubric will be provided for each assessment task, detailing the expectations for each criterion.

Those expectations will explain expectations, and provide the grounds upon which the assessor will determine the grade allocated against each criterion. The overall grade

for the assessment will be awarded by adding the numerical grade for each criterion.

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
Week 01	Introduction of unit of study: outcomes, assessments, activities	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introductions; meeting each other and teachers	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Performing yourself: Irving Goffman and the presentation of self in everyday life	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Performing yourself: being in place	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	The phenomenology of performance: What is it like to perform? What is different about performance to 'just being'? What is 'charisma'? What is 'presence'? Writing about experiences of performing.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Creating 'presence': how to be in a space	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Performance as a dynamic, flexible system.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Performance as interaction. Performance as dialogue. Social interactions as performance	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 05	Framing a performance: genre, expectations, goals	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Framing a performance: setting up expectations. Establishing goals	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Role in context of situation: why performing is not 'acting'	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Exploring role in context: Status	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Resources: the 'how' of performance	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Preparing to perform: bringing together role, aims, resources. Telling a story. Telling a joke.	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Preparing/scoring/rehearsing your performance	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Planning a performance	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Student presentations	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 10	Performance and technology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Student presentationas	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Performance and media	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Student presentations	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Preparation/rehearsal/experiments for final assessment task	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Performance in/ and media	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Preparation/rehearsal/experimenting for final assessment task	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Summary. What next?	Lecture (1 hr)

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.

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. understand and be able to apply a theoretical model for the analysis and composition of performance
LO2. design, prepare and present a short "live" performance of professional quality
LO3. design, prepare and present a short performance for camera of professional quality
LO4. apply their theoretical and practical understanding of performance practice to design, prepare and deliver presentations across a range of digital and media platforms

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.

New unit.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links