Availabilities:

2021 unit offering information will be available in September 2020

Unit description

Introduces students to a critical analysis of media practices and uses in everyday life. From social networking to watching telly, from political campaigning to going to the movies; particular consideration is given to how we engage with media, and what impact it has on our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us. Students are encouraged to fashion their assignments around their own media interests and uses, thus making it clear that their studies are not something remote from their daily lives.

Unit content

Section 1: Media and everyday life
Section 2: Representation and identity
Section 3: Media power, practice and control
Section 4: Mass[-ive] media and everyday culture
Section 5: Media audiences
Section 6: Globalisation and media futures

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: Intellectual rigour, GA2: Creativity, GA3: Ethical practice, GA4: Knowledge of a discipline, GA5: Lifelong learning, GA6: Communication and social skills, GA7: Cultural competence
On completion of this unit, students should be able to:GA1GA2GA3GA4GA5GA6GA7
1develop a critical perspectiveLifelong learningCultural competence
2apply a range of theoretical approaches to the study of mediaCommunication and social skillsCultural competence
3comprehend key concepts such as representation, power and identityLifelong learningCultural competence
4research and study independentlyLifelong learningCommunication and social skills
5analyse media texts and messages, and recognise their own role, as both audiences and practitioners, in negotiating meaningsLifelong learningCultural competence
6write in an academic styleCommunication and social skillsCultural competence
7understand media texts and practices in their historical and socio-political contexts.Cultural competence

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. develop a critical perspective
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  2. apply a range of theoretical approaches to the study of media
    • GA6: Communication and social skills
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  3. comprehend key concepts such as representation, power and identity
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  4. research and study independently
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA6: Communication and social skills
  5. analyse media texts and messages, and recognise their own role, as both audiences and practitioners, in negotiating meanings
    • GA5: Lifelong learning
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  6. write in an academic style
    • GA6: Communication and social skills
    • GA7: Cultural competence
  7. understand media texts and practices in their historical and socio-political contexts.
    • GA7: Cultural competence

Prescribed texts

  • O'Shaughnessy, M, Stadler, J & Casey, S, 2016, Media & Society, 6th edn, Victoria Oxford University Press, South Melbourne. ISBN: 9780195597240.
Prescribed texts may change in future study periods.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method
Lecture on-site 1 hour (12 weeks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hours (12 weeks)
Assessment
Movie Review 20%
Media Text Analysis presentation30%
Exam: take home40%
Participation10%

Teaching method
Lecture on-site 1 hour (12 weeks)
Tutorial on-site 2 hours (12 weeks)
Assessment
Movie Review 20%
Media Text Analysis presentation30%
Exam: take home40%
Participation10%

Teaching method
Structured online learning 3 hrs (12 weeks)
Assessment
Movie Review 20%
Media Text Analysis presentation30%
Exam: take home40%
Participation10%
Notice

Intensive offerings may or may not be scheduled in every session. Please refer to the timetable for further details.

Southern Cross University employs different teaching methods within units to provide students with the flexibility to choose the mode of learning that best suits them. SCU academics strive to use the latest approaches and, as a result, the learning modes and materials may change. The most current information regarding a unit will be provided to enrolled students at the beginning of the study session.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.
Commencing 2021 Commonwealth Supported only. Student contribution band: 1

Fee paying courses
For POSTGRADUATE or UNDERGRADUATE full fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees

International

Please check the international course and fee list to determine the relevant fees.

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