Communication Studies Units

COMM 120 Communication and Culture

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr. Paul Adams
phone: +61 2 6773 2457
email: padams3@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit is an introduction to Communication Studies that looks at many aspects of today's communications. Our most pervasive media (including television, print and the Internet) are considered using a variety of contemporary approaches including formal analysis, textual analysis, gender, representation, semiotics, cultural analysis and so on. The unit focuses on communications, media modes and formats, theories and techniques, and considers many different cultural practices, contexts and issues.

Internal Assessment
Attendance: 10%.
Tutorial presentation: 1000 words 20%
Essay 1: 1,500 words 30%
Tutorial questions: 1600 - 2000 words, 40%

External Assessment
Essay 1: 2000 words 50%
Essay 2: 2000 words 50%

Prescribed Books
Branston, G. and Stafford, R. 2006, The Media Student's Book, 4th edn, Routledge.

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COMM 180 Film: Style and Story

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr. Neil Rattigan
phone: +61 2 6773 2624
email: nrattiga@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit introduces the study of the aesthetics of film and cineliteracy through the examination of the formal elements by which any film text is constructed and through which it expresses its meaning - the language of film. This micro-view of film analysis leads to approaches which emphasise the complete film: narrative structures. The emphasis is upon the narrative fictional film, and examples are screened or recommended from across a range of periods, styles and genres.

All students in Communication Studies are expected to be able to express themselves in writing in fluent and correct English.

Internal Assessment
Storyboard: 2000 - 2500 words 40%.
Narrative Structural Analysis: 2000 - 2500 words or equivalent 40%
Tutorial attendance: 20%

External Assessment
Storyboard: 2000 - 2500 words - 50%
Narrative Structural Analysis: 2000 - 2500 words or equivalent 50%

Prescribed Books
Phillips, W.H. Film: An Introduction, 3rd edn, Bedford/St Martin's.

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COMM 315/415 Children's Film and Television

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr. Leonie Rutherford
phone: +61 2 6773 2644
email: lrutherf@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit examines the production and distribution of Australian and overseas film and television for child and adolescent audiences. A critical and aesthetic approach to the products of commercial and semi-government organisations is emphasised. Particular attention is given to the work of the Australian Children's Television Foundation, to the research on the characteristics of children as 'audience', and to the adaptation of children's fiction into film.

Assessment COMM 315
Assignment: 2000 words 50%.
Take Home Examination: 2 sections, equivalent 2000 words 50%.

Assessment COMM 415
Assignment: 3500 words 50%.
Take Home Examination: equivalent 3000 words 50%.

Prescribed Books
None

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COMM 321/421 Mass Communication

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr. Paul Adams
phone: +61 2 6773 2457
email: padams3@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit considers mass communications, especially broadcast and print media. A number of approaches to the study of mass communication in contemporary society are introduced. Several theories relating to communications and to the production of media texts will be considered, and the structure, functions and power of the media in present day society are critically examined. News and advertising will be the main focus of the unit.

COMM 321
Internal Assessment
Tutorial attendance: 10%.
Tutorial presentation: 1000 words 20%
Tutorial exercises: 1500 words 30%
Written assignment: 2000 words 40%

External Assessment
Written Assignment 1: 2000 words 50%
Written Assignment 2: 2000 words 50%

COMM 421
Internal Assessment
Tutorial attendance: 10%.
Tutorial presentation: 1500 words 20%
Tutorial exercises: 2000 words 30%
Written assignment: 2500 words 40%

External Assessment
Written Assignment 1: 3000 words 50%
Written Assignment 2: 3000 words 50%

Prescribed Books
Watson, J. 2003, Media Communication: an introduction to theory and process, 2nd edn, Macmillan.

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COMM 323/423 New Media

Internal and External

Coordinator: TBA
phone: +61 2 6773 3271
email:

Unit Statement:
COMM 323/423 New Media explores today's new communications technologies. It focuses on the Internet and the World Wide Web and their cultural, economic and legal dimensions. Students investigate techniques of digital communications including principles of web site design. Through a series of case studies, they consider various industrial and community uses of digital communications, including the development of online websites by radio and television broadcasters and issues such as access to information and intellectual property. The unit provides an understanding of the global context in which digital communications are developing and debates about their social and cultural impact.

COMM 323
Internal Assessment
Web Analysis Project: 1500 words 35%.
Written Assignment: 2000 words 50%
Class attendance and participation: 15%

External Assessment
Web Analysis Project: 2000 words 50%
Written Assignment: 2000 words 50%

COMM 423
Internal Assessment
Web Analysis Project: 2000 - 2500 words 35%.
Written Assignment: 3000 words 50%
Class attendance and participation: 15%

External Assessment
Web Analysis Project: 2500 words 40%
Written Assignment: 3500 words 60%

Prescribed Books
None.

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COMM 325/425 Popular Television Drama

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr. Suzie Gibson
phone: +61 2 6773 3386
email:sgibson5@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
A study of popular television drama based in analysis of the production conditions of television drama, the study of the history of television drama or specific genres, and application of cultural and ideological analysis of selected television genres.

All students in communication studies are expected to be able to express themselves in writing in fluent and correct English.

COMM325
Internal Assessment
Tutorial Attendance: 10%.
Tutorial Presentation: 20%
Essay 1: 2000 - 2500 words 30%
Essay 2: 2000 - 2500 words 40%

External Assessment
Essay 1: 2000 - 2500 words 50%
Essay 2: 2000 - 2500 words 50%

COMM425
Internal Assessment
Tutorial Attendance: 10%.
Tutorial Presentation: 20%
Essay 1: 2000 - 2500 words 30%
Essay 2: 2000 - 2500 words 40%

External Assessment
Narrative Analysis: 1000 words 30%
Essay 1: 2000 words 30%
Essay 2: 2500 words 40%

Prescribed Books
To be advised.

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COMM 383/483 Film Genre

Take Home Examination: This link will be live at the appropriate date.

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr. Neil Rattigan
phone: +61 2 6773 2624
email: nrattiga@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit introduces the concepts and methodologies of genre criticism as an established approach to the study of cinema and films. Based in the practices of Hollywood film production and critical and audience reception, genre criticism uses the concepts of formula, convention, representation and interpretative audiences to explore and elucidate the historical, social, intellectual and cultural aspects of American cinema in particular, and also international cinemas.

All students in Communication Studies are expected to be able to express themselves in writing in fluent and correct English.

COMM 383
Internal Assessment
Tutorial Attendance: 10%.
Seminar Presentation: 20%
Essay 1: 2000-2500 words 30%
Essay 2: 2000-2500 words 40%

External Assessment
Essay 1: 2000 - 2500 words 50%
Essay 2: 2000 - 2500 words 50%

COMM 483
Internal Assessment
Tutorial Attendance: 10%.
Seminar Presentation: 20%
Essay 1: 2000 words 20%
Essay 2: 2000 words 20%
Essay 3: 2000 words 30%

External Assessment
Essay 1: 2000 words 30%
Essay 2: 2000 words 30%
Essay 3: 2000 words 40%

Prescribed Books
None

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COMM 385/485 Australian Film

Internal and External

Coordinator: Dr Neil Rattigan
phone: +61 2 6773 2624
email: nrattiga@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit focuses on the way in which film has constructed images of national identity. The unit will explore the variety of representations of Australian society, culture, national identify and ways of life in feature films made since 1970.

Assessment COMM 385
Storyboard Analysis: 1500 - 2000 words 50%.
Take Home Exam: 2000 words 50%

Assessment COMM 485
Storyboard Analysis: 2000 words 30%.
Essay 1: 2000 words 35%
Essay 2: 2000 words 35%

Prescribed Books
None

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COMM 386/486 Screenwriting 1

Internal and External

Coordinator:Dr. Neil Rattigan
phone: +61 2 6773 2624
email: nrattiga@une.edu.au

Unit Statement:
This unit will introduce the basic concepts of writing for film and television. It will be conducted through a series of compulsory workshops ('virtual' workshops for external students), designed to allow students to present work-in-progress to the whole cohort. Students will progress towards writing a first draft script for an episode of a television sitcom, or an episode of a television soap opera. Each step will attract feedback from the whole cohort and from the unit coordinator. Enrolment in the unit requires a commitment to the writing tasks and set deadlines. The unit will deal with the beginning of the scriptwriting process by introducing students to: developing script premises; creating characters; writing story lines; situation comedy and soap opera; preparing a proposal; writing in appropriate script format; creating dialogue; use of conflict, drama and narrative.

All students in Communication Studies are expected to be able to express themselves in writing in fluent and correct English.

Assessment COMM 386
Idea/Concept: 10%.
Episode Outline: 20%
Script: 70%
(total wording for all 3 pieces of work: 4000 words or equivalent)

Assessment COMM 486
Idea/Concept: 10%.
Episode Outline: 20%
Script: 70%
(total wording for all 3 pieces of work: 6000 words or equivalent)

Prescribed Books
Bryne, J. and Powell, M. Writing Sitcoms, A & C Black.
Curry, C. Writing for Soaps, A & C Black.

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