Outline

Overview

This unit introduces the fundamentals of strategic social media use for professional and organisational communication, media practice and cultural production. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become competent, ethical social media communicators and to critically analyse social media forms, services and cultures. Students will explore online, mobile and locative platforms for interacting with audiences, publics and online communities, including professional networks.

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	Sam Chan, liksam.chan@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	In-Class Group Work Participate in class activities	10%	Ongoing	500 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Social Media Campaign Analysis Identify, examine, and evaluate a social media campaign.	20%	Week 05 Due date: 06 Sep 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 16 Sep 2026	1500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written test	Knowledge test Answer questions within a time limit	20%	Week 08	1 hour	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Social Media Campaign Pitch Pitch a social media campaign idea	10%	Week 08	8 minutes (500 words equivalent)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Social Media Campaign Design and create an original social media campaign.	40%	Week 13 Due date: 08 Nov 2026 at 23:59 Closing date: 18 Nov 2026	2500 words equivalent	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

In-Class Group Work, 10%, on-going
Social Media Campaign Analysis, 20%,聽Due Sunday 11:59pm, Week 5
Social Media Campaign Pitch, 10%, Due in-class, Week 8
Knowledge Test, 20%, Due Friday, Week 8
Social Media Campaign, 40%,聽Due Sunday 11:59pm,聽Week 13

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the聽聽(Schedule 1).

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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don鈥檛 meet the learning outcomes of the unit 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聽Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽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.

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:

For any assessment task: (a) late penalties may be applied as set out in this clause; or (b) late submission may be prohibited, with consequences specified in the unit of study outline; or (c) late penalties may be excluded from applying. Written work submitted electronically must be submitted before 11.59 pm on the due date. Work submitted after this time is late. A penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date. (a) The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. A mark of zero will be awarded for work submitted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, unless students have special consideration or a DAP. (a) The marker may, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work.

Academic integrity

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

Our website聽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聽Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM)聽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聽Current Students website聽for more information on AI in assessments, including聽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聽simple extension.鈥� 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鈥檛 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聽special consideration or special arrangements.

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

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students,聽聽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聽reflects the University鈥檚 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	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 01	Introduction	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Participatory culture	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Participatory culture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Cultural intermediation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Cultural intermediation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Video culture and platform power	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Video culture and platform power	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Social media communication strategy and writing	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Social media communication strategy and writing	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Audience analysis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Audience analysis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Content strategies and tactics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Content strategies and tactics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Social media campaign pitch	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Social media campaign pitch	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Campaign consultation	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 09	Campaign consultation	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Metrics	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 10	Metrics	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Algorithms in social media	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Algorithms in social media	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Ethics and law	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Ethics and law	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Futures of social media communication	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 13	Futures of social media communication	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Resolutions, students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the Associate Dean or relevant delegated authority. The Associate Dean or relevant delegate may determine that a student fails a unit of study because of inadequate attendance. Alternatively, at their discretion, they may set additional assessment items when attendance is lower than 90%.聽The case of any formally enrolled student who is absent from 50% or more of classes, regardless of the reasons for the absence, and in accordance with the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences鈥� coursework provisions, will be automatically聽referred to the end-of-semester discipline examiners鈥� meeting for a determination as to whether the student should pass or fail the unit, or, if a pass is awarded, the level of penalty that should be applied.
尝别肠迟耻谤别/迟耻迟辞谤颈补濒听谤别肠辞谤诲颈苍驳: Due to our highly interactive class format and the active participation of students, our classes will not be recorded. However, if you wish to record a class, please seek permission from your tutor and all classmates beforehand.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours鈥� preparation time聽for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

Weekly readings will be posted 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. Explain core theories and frameworks of social media communication
LO2. Examine contemporary social media campaigns to identify strategic approaches, audience engagement tactics, and measurement metrics
LO3. Assess the effectiveness of social media campaigns by applying theoretical frameworks to real-world case studies
LO4. Design an original, effective, and ethical social media campaign
LO5. Develop content across multiple social media platforms, considering platform-specific affordances and audience behaviours
LO6. Defend campaign decisions based on theoretical principles and industry best practices

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all 爆料王 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鈥檚 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.

Based on student feedback from Semester 2, 2025, we have reduced the final assessment workload and refined the marking criteria for in-class group work.

Additional information

You will need access to an internet-connected computer or device to access our learning management system, Canvas, to complete your in-class group work. This unit requires regular use of Canvas with most study and assessment tasks performed through the site.聽

Disclaimer

Important: the 爆料王 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 .

爆料王

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

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECO6936: Social Media Communication

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links