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COMM120 Media Studies: An Introduction

Updated: 21 December 2012
Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Off Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Restrictions COMM220 or COMM320
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s)
  • Trimester 1 Coordinator : Bronwyn Clarke (bclarke6@une.edu.au)
  • Trimester 3 Coordinator : To be advised
Unit Description

This unit introduces the aims and approaches of contemporary media studies. It considers a range of familiar media, including film, television, Internet and online communications, and news journalism. How do these media work to inform, persuade, entertain, challenge and involve audiences? How are media changing with digital technology? Why are some earlier forms, such as the short film, taking on a new life? In considering such questions, students will explore a variety of topics and develop knowledge and research skills for studying the media and their role in everyday and cultural life.
Prescribed Material
Mandatory 		Text(s):

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.

The Media Student's Book
ISBN: 9780415558426
Branston, G. and Stafford, R., Routledge 5th ed. 2010
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
The Media and Communications in Australia
ISBN: 9781742370644
Cunningham, S. and Turner, G., Allen & Unwin 3rd ed. 2009
Text refers to: Trimester 1 , On and Off Campus
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 40% On/Off Campus 1500
Assessment Notes
Media Analysis Exercise
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2 GA: 1, 2, 6
Assignment 2 60% On/Off Campus 2500
Assessment Notes
Written assignment based on common unit topics
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1, 2, 3, 4 GA: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate an awareness and understanding of contemporary approaches for studying a range of media and genres;
  2. analyse processes of representation in a variety of media;
  3. demonstrate an understanding of the changing roles of, and relationships between, different media in the digital communications environment; and
  4. apply research methods that support the study of diverse media in their cultural context.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
The unit teaches these skills by analysing communication techniques in print, audiovisual and web-based forms. Students practise reading and writing skills through scaffolded learning activities, which lead into the drafting and editing of assessable work. 		True True True
2 Communication Skills
The unit teaches these skills by analysing communication techniques in print, audiovisual and web-based forms. Students practise reading and writing skills through scaffolded learning activities, which lead into the drafting and editing of assessable work. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
The approaches taught and practised in the unit consider the local, international and inter-cultural aspects of media and of debates in media studies. This attribute is assessed on the evidence of students' understanding of key themes and readings concerned with those aspects of disciplinary study. 		True True True
4 Information Literacy
Information literacy is taught, practised and assessed through the development and application of disciplinary approaches and research skills for studying media. 		True True True
5 Life-Long Learning
The unit's emphasis on abilities to analyse media and express ideas contributes to the development of capacities for life-long learning. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
The unit teaches methods of identifying and solving problems in media and communications, and students apply these methods in learning activities and assessable assignments. 		True True True
7 Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is encouraged by unit work on the cultural uses of media and the relationships involved in representing people, events and ideas. 		True True
8 Team Work
Aspects of team work are taught insofar as the collaborative nature of media processes is considered, but this attribute is neither practised explicitly nor assessed. 		True
   

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