module specification

SM4067 - Digital Media Ethics (2026/27)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2026/27, but may be subject to modification
Module title Digital Media Ethics
Module level Certificate (04)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Total study hours 150
 
30 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
75 hours Guided independent study
45 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100%   A portfolio showing ethical digital media practice, including a 2000-word critique
Running in 2026/27

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)		 No instances running in the year

Module summary

The module aims to improve academic performance and future professional practice by allowing students to focus on the ethical issues that emerge in digital media in both professional and other contexts. Digital artefacts present different kinds of ethical issues than those presented by traditional media and publishing, These issues frequently arise from the structural and material qualities of digital information, and the contexts in which it is created, disseminated and used. These context can be personal (for example in our individual use of media and non-media related software and hardware), practical (for example in our use, creation and production of digital artefacts), social (most obviously in our use of social media), factual and political (for example through our consumption of and interaction with news media) financial and business-related (for example in our use of finance or investment-related apps or in the digital processes of global banking) global (because digital media has global reach) and power-related (for example because of the enormous growth and influence of digital corporations). 

 

The introduction of students to issues associated with digital ethics has traditionally focussed only on end use and therefore overlooked the underlying drivers of unethical and unprofessional practice. This module introduces a model of digital media ethics that is focussed on the life cycle of digital artefacts from creation to use. It will explore different models of creation from generative algorithms to creative, academic and professional practice. It will also explore the ways in which digital information and digital artefacts are disseminated through personal, socio-cultural, socio-economic and global networks. 

 

Finally, the module with address use cases associated with the ethical use of digital artefacts, information and materials. The module will use a case-study approach to allow students to engage in rich discussion of ethics in academic, professional and creative practice.

 

The module aims to:

  • Provide you with an introduction to the ethics of digital media practice and digital citizenship. 
  • Promote your critical understanding of the content and structures of digital media, social media, and generative content, and examine the social, political and economic factors which shape them.
  • Develop your understanding of the ethical use of digital technologies and digital tools including generative technologies and social media 
  • Develop and encourage your confidence in the use of appropriate learning, analytical and discursive skills and help you acquire key academic research skills.
  • Provide an introductory understanding of the global, economic and political aspects of digital media that we will all consider, engage with and collaboratively learn from

 

Prior learning requirements

No Prerequisites 

Available for Study Abroad? YES

 

Syllabus

This module provides an introduction to the ethics of digital media. Each session will focus on a major ethical issue in the use of digital media, social media, or generative technologies. This will be supported by practice-based work, discussions, debates, and practical exercises. 

  1. Digital v. material: why digital is different
  2. The economic and political structure of digital and social media
  3. Polarization of online political discourse
  4. Privacy, Big Data and Surveillance 
  5. GenAI and evaluating digital information
  6. Original creative acts and intellectual property
  7. Conspiracy theories and network activism
  8. Fake news, misinformation, disinformation
  9. Bots, trolls, edgelords, flame wars, activists and other online malcontents
  10. Online identity, consent and doxing
  11. Digital citizenship
  12. Digital economics and politics

 

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Teaching methods include formal lectures, seminar discussion, screenings, library sessions and tutorials.  Students are expected to attend lectures and seminars: in the seminars they will at times work in small groups and be given practice in listening to each other’s contributions and offering constructive criticism, and in chairing and reporting discussion to the plenary seminar group. The teaching and learning strategy aims to encourage an inclusive and supportive learning environment that respects and values the contributions of individual students and provides opportunities for individual intellectual development through a variety of learning opportunities. Teaching methods may include screenings of films, television programmes, and animations. 

The module booklet will be available online, as will lecture outlines and some readings. Weblearn or its equivalent will also be used for communication with students individually and as a cohort. In addition to guided reading, students are expected to read and to use variety of sources (primary and secondary) and use seminars and tutorials to raise issues, questions and seek feedback. 

A blended learning strategy will be employed to enhance the learning experience, facilitate communication between students and tutors and develop collaboration among students. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be used as a platform to support online activities including on-line discussions, evaluation of online resources, and access to electronic reading packs. The VLE will also be used to facilitate formative assessment and related feedback, as well as a tool to integrate useful online learning materials provided by research institutions, academic publications, professional organisations and other relevant sources.

 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

  1. Understand how the life cycle of digital artefacts contributes to the ethical issues that they present, and demonstrate that understanding through critical analysis of your own digital practice. 
  2. Understand how to use digital tools in ethical ways that respect the rights of creatives, recognises the political nature of online content, and avoids recirculating and amplifying content that is false, misleading and / or derives from unethical or illegal contexts. 
  3. Identify how to use social media, digital media and generative tools in ethical ways to support your academic study and professional and creative practice. 
  4. Produce a written account of the ethical issues associated with the use of social media, digital media and generative technologies.
  5. Develop a general introductory understanding of the ethic, politics and history of global digital media.

Bibliography

Books: 

  • Hacking digital ethics / Andrea Bellinger and David J. Krieger
  • Understanding digital ethics : cases and contexts / Jonathan Beever, Rudy McDaniel, Nancy Stanlick
  • Internet research ethics / Hallvard Fossheim and Helene Ingierd (editors)
  • Information ethics : privacy, property, and power / edited by Adam D. Moore
  • Foundations of information ethics / edited by John T.F. Burgess and Emily J.M. Knox ; foreword by Robert Hauptman
  • The Age of Surveillance Capitalism / Shoshana Zuboff 
  • Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Cost of the Perfect Playlist
  • Digital Media Ethics / Charles Ess
  • The Oxford Handbook of Media Psychology / ed. Karen E. Shackleford and Nicholas D. Bowman

 

Websites and other resources: