Unit rationale, description and aim
As emerging technologies continue to transform industries and societies, computing and data professionals are increasingly expected to demonstrate not only technical expertise but also ethical awareness, cultural sensitivity, and social responsibility.
This unit develops students’ ability to critically engage with professional ethics, legal frameworks, and the broader human implications of technological innovation. Students explore ethical theories, professional standards, and real-world dilemmas to strengthen their capacity for ethical reasoning and sound professional judgment. Learning activities encourage reflection on diverse perspectives and values, including those informed by Australia’s First Peoples’ knowledges and experiences, to support inclusive, equitable, and socially responsible practice. Through critical inquiry and applied learning, students build adaptability, communication, and leadership skills while deepening their understanding of how technology can serve the common good.
The aim of this unit is to prepare students to act with integrity, empathy, and professionalism as ethical leaders in dynamic and evolving digital environments.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Critically evaluate ethical theories, professional...
Learning Outcome 01
Reflect on the social, cultural, and ethical dimen...
Learning Outcome 02
Communicate ethical positions and professional jud...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate reflective and adaptive professional b...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Ethics, Professionalism, and the Role of Computing
- Ethical Theories and Decision-Making Frameworks
- Law, Governance, and Accountability in Digital Innovation
- Bias, Fairness, and Equity in Technology Design
- Culture, Ethics, and Indigenous Perspectives in Innovation
- Social Responsibility and Technology for the Common Good
- Ethical Leadership and Emotional Intelligence
- Professional Communication and Advocacy
- Intercultural Collaboration and Digital Citizenship
- Sustainability and Emerging Ethical Frontiers
- Future Technologies and Human Values
- Professional Identity, Reflective Practice, and Lifelong Learning
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy progressively develops students’ ethical awareness, critical reasoning, and professional identity in the context of emerging technologies.
Assessment 1 builds foundational skills in applying ethical theories and professional standards. Assessment 2 extends these through collaborative analysis of an emerging technology’s ethical, cultural, and legal dimensions. Assessment 3 consolidates learning through a reflective portfolio demonstrating growth in ethical awareness, leadership, and professional judgment. Together, the assessments foster critical thinking, communication, and integrity consistent with ACU’s mission and the common good.
To pass the unit, students must demonstrate achievement of every unit learning outcome and obtain a minimum mark of 50% for the unit.
Overview of assessments
Assessment Task 1: Ethical Reasoning and Reflecti...
Assessment Task 1: Ethical Reasoning and Reflection
Students critically analyse real-world scenarios through the lens of ethical frameworks such as utilitarianism, deontology, or virtue ethics, while considering relevant professional codes and Indigenous ethical perspectives. Through reflection on personal and professional values, students demonstrate their understanding of how ethical reasoning guides responsible and inclusive technological practice.
30%
Assessment Task 2: Group Project: Ethical Analys...
Assessment Task 2: Group Project: Ethical Analysis of an Emerging Technology
Working in teams, students research and critically evaluate the ethical, cultural, and legal implications of an emerging technology . They integrate Indigenous and global perspectives to formulate recommendations for responsible innovation and communicate their findings through a professional group presentation and written report.
40%
Assessment Task 3: Professional Identity and Lea...
Assessment Task 3: Professional Identity and Leadership Reflection
Through an individual portfolio, students critically examine their development in ethical awareness, emotional intelligence, and professional communication. They synthesise insights gained from learning activities and teamwork to articulate how integrity, empathy, and adaptive leadership inform their emerging professional identity.
30%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit uses active and reflective learning to develop students’ ethical awareness, professional judgment, and cultural capability in computing and data science. Learning activities combine guided discussions, case analyses, multimedia resources, and reflective tasks that connect ethical theory with real technological contexts.
Learning progresses from understanding ethical principles and professional codes to applying them in intercultural, community, and industry settings. Students engage with diverse perspectives, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewpoints, to strengthen inclusive and socially responsible practice. The strategy promotes continuous reflection through learning journals, peer collaboration, and professional dialogue, enabling students to integrate values, ethics, and leadership into their professional identity.