2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM2754 Programming for Digital Media

20 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Chris Birchall
Email: c.t.birchall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Module replaces

COMM2735 Dynamic Web Programming

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

The module provides the opportunity to engage with the practice of programming and explore its impacts, such as the opportunities and challenges presented by the role of code and data in digital media. Students will experiment with different programming languages, platforms, and technologies and use them to create different outputs, generate and use data in different ways and reflect on the opportunities for creative production, digital media and digital research afforded by programming and data.We will also explore how leading academic theory and research can influence digital products and platforms and the module provides opportunities to look at developing digital media solutions to address the demands of user groups and society at large, allowing students to take their work beyond technical exercises to work that can solve problems, improve services and create social capital.

Objectives

This module aims to highlight contemporary challenges and opportunities in digital media practice with regard to emerging cultural and social trends and looks at practical ways to meet them. It aims to develop a basic understanding of computer programming, to enable critical reflections on the way that code, data and development practices can influence media and to provide a platform to further study and more advanced creative production.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate their understanding of key concepts, issues and debates related to computer programming and media;
2. Develop digital outputs using programming for purposes of research, communication, enterprise or entertainment;
3. Evaluate programming and data practices from the perspective of their technological, social and cultural impact;
4. Identify emergent trends, challenges and opportunities related to programming, data and digital media.

Syllabus

The module will cover topics such as:
• Basic procedural programming syntax and structure
• Object oriented programming
• Programming for the web
• Programming with data
• Programming for digital research
• Digital data collection, analysis and visualisation
• Ethical hacking and creative coding as research
• Professional programming practices

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	9	0.50	4.50
Lecture	2	1.00	2.00
Practical	11	2.00	22.00
Seminar	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			161.50
Total Contact hours			38.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Each weekly workshop task has an “extra work” section that is to be completed by students in their own time. This work is designed to take 1-3 hours depending upon student ability (a total of 33-99 hours), involves practice and experimentation with weekly content and critical analysis of the content in response to relevant reading and research. The tasks also develop further skills necessary to excel in the module assessment and encourage continued independent development and learning. Students are required to complete weekly individual tasks which are assessed (see below) and which build towards the final summative piece of coursework that will account for the rest of the independent study time.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored in weekly classes, weekly critical responses in blogs, and by their performance in the first assessment due in week 8.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Practical	Programming project (3000-4000 words equivalent)	70.00
Portfolio	Critical research blog: 8 x 400-500 words or equivalent (4/8 are selected for assessment)	30.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Resits will simply be to redo the assessment tasks

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 04/06/2024 10:40:41

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