Infrastructure and Technology for Community, Culture and Society
Overview
Infrastructure and technology projects have enormous potential to impact communities, culture and society. This unit aims to deepen students understanding of their social responsibility to create sustainable outcomes while working on industry-linked projects in teams. Students will explore the intersection of infrastructure, technology, and society at a local, national and international level. Within Australia, infrastructure projects occur on Country. Students will explore the concept of Caring for Country along with the diversity of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge systems, and contemporary issues that intersect with infrastructure and technology. This unit will introduce students to professional values, ethics, working cross-culturally, and professional purpose.
Requisites
02-November-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Consider and describe the social responsibility of STEM professionals and the social impacts of infrastructure and technology projects
- Explore Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, knowledge systems, and contemporary issues intersecting with infrastructure and technology
- Explain the importance of being able to work-cross culturally, understand local cultures and respectfully engage with community stakeholders, including Indigenous stakeholders, for successful and sustainable project outcomes
- Apply relevant knowledge of infrastructure and technology in society to an industry-linked project
- Communicate within teams and stakeholders using appropriate verbal, written, and technological approaches
- Function as an effective team member using project management tools and demonstrating professionalism and ethical behaviour
- Reflect on learning experiences to improve professional practice and explore professional purpose and values
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Class | 2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Live Online Lecture | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Online Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning | 1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning | 8.50 | 12 weeks | 102 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Individual | 20 - 40% | 1,2,3,7 |
| Project | Individual/Group | 60 - 80% | 1,2,4,5,6 |
Content
- Social impacts of infrastructure and technology Â
- Local, national and global social responsibility
- Introductory overview of regulatory requirements including social impact assessments and heritage protections
- Professional values and ethics
- Working cross-culturally
- Indigenous history and culture in relation to infrastructure and technology
- Contemporary Indigenous perspectives, worldviews, knowledge systems, and issues intersecting with infrastructure and technology. Including the concept of Caring for Country.
- Professional purpose and reflective practice Â
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.