Media and Communications
Errata
| Item | Errata | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1. |
Media and Communications requirements for a Major (ii) should read: (ii) 12 credit points of 2000-level core units |
11/1/2018 |
| 2. |
Notes have been added or replaced for the following units: MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA/BA Advanced (Media and Comm), BA (Digital Cultures), BA/BA Advanced (Digital Cultures), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only MECO1002 Media and Communications Landscapes: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA/BA Advanced (Media and Comm), BA (Digital Cultures), BA/BA Advanced (Digital Cultures), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only MECO1003Principles of Media Writing: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA/BA Advanced (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only MECO1004Introduction to Media Production: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA/BA Advanced (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only |
30/1/2018 |
Media and Communications
Stream
Achievement of the stream in Media and Communications requires:
(i) A 120 credit point program in Media and Communications.
Program
This program is only available to students enrolled in the Media and Communications stream
Achievement of the program in Media and Communications requires 96 credit points from this table including:
(i) 48 credit points of major in Media Studies
(ii) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level core unit
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level core unit
(v) Students with a WAM of 70 or above can choose to complete the Honours track, which requires 48 credit points of 4000-level core units of study
(vi) All other students must complete 24 credit points of 4000-level core units of study.
[[i||*Students who exit the Media and Communications program after 144 credit points will be awarded a BA (Media Studies).]]
Major
This major is only available to students in the Media and Communications program and the combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Law degree.
A major in Media Studies requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 2 credit points of 2000-level core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units
(iv) 12 credit points of 3000-level core units
(v) 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project units
1000 level units of study
Major core
MECO1001 Introduction to Media Studies
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 2x1hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x1200wd Essay (30%), 1x1800wd Essay (40%), 1x2hr exam (30%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit offers an introduction to the history and theory of media and communications studies. Students will gain a foundation in key concepts, methodologies and theorists in the field. They will also explore the interdisciplinary roots of media and communications studies and acquire basic research skills. By the end of the unit students should be familiar with major shifts in the history and theory of media and communications studies and with basic concepts and methodologies in the field.
MECO1002 Media and Communications Landscapes
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x500wd create landscape infographic (10%), 1x750wd create and design a work profile (20%), 1x1250wd online lit review quiz (30%), 1x2000wd research essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit explores digital media and communications landscapes by teaching students to map and analyse policy settings, industry performance, and patterns of access, voice, diversity and engagement. Within this framework, the unit focuses on the immaterial and creative forms of labour found in networked landscapes, and on conceptual and practical means of negotiating workplace norms, hierarchies and routines. Students will have opportunities to extend their disciplinary literacy and create professional branding strategies using open source software and social media.
Program Core
MECO1003 Principles of Media Writing
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr seminar/week Prohibitions: MECO2002 Assessment: 1x300wd news story (15%), 1x600wd news story (15%), 1x1500wd news portfolio (30%), 1x2hr exam (30%), workshop participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit will give students foundational skills in writing for the print and broadcast media. Students will learn the elements of journalistic style, how to structure news and feature articles, how to script basic broadcast and online news, and be introduced to the principles of interviewing and journalistic research.
MECO1004 Introduction to Media Production
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x 500wd equivalent Create and design personal blog (10%), 1x 500wd equivalent Publish an audio slideshow (10%), 1x 500wd equivalent Publish an online video (20%), 1x 500wd Reflective online journal (10%), 1x 2500wd equivalent Publish major media project (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit provides an introduction to the theory and practice of media production. It combines a holistic investigation of contemporary media practices with an exploratory first-hand account of media production techniques. Students will have the opportunity to create mixed media production using a variety of technologies. They will create a major media piece by the end of the semester and will also reflect critically on their practice.
2000 level units of study
Major core
MECO2601 Media Production: Audio Design and Podcasting
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 1000 level in Media and Communications including MECO1004 Prohibitions: MECO2001 Assessment: 1x 2mins recreate sound design for film (10%), 1x5mins produce a broadcast radio segment (30%), 1x15mins produce a podcast (50%), 1x200wd reflective online journal (10%) Practical field work: Students are encouraged to join the University of Sydney Radio Society. This unit will involve substantial media production project work outside of class time. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit introduces audio production by exploring the principles of sound design. Beyond introducing the students to the principles of audio, the unit provides them with the ability to produce radio programs in the traditional broadcasting sense, while concentrating on the student's capacity to direct, produce and publish their own podcast. Students will have the opportunity to create sound design for moving image, broadcast radio segments, and podcasts using state of the art radio production facilities, audio recorders, and audio hosting services.
Major selective
ARIN2620 Cyberworlds
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 18 junior credit points in any of Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Philosophy, Psychology or Sociology or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Digital Cultures Prohibitions: ARIN2200 Assessment: 1x2000wd essay (40%), 1x1250wd take-home exercise 1 (25%),1x 1250wd take-home exercise 2 (25%), participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Are online encounters different from face-to-face encounters? What is the difference between the real and the virtual? How do online identities relate to offline identities? This unit of study introduces students to key perspectives, themes and debates in the expanding world of online interaction and cultural production including social media, art, games, virtual worlds, augmented reality and participatory culture. Is the term 'cyberworld' redundant in a world where online and offline experiences, cultural forms and identities have become increasingly enmeshed?
ARIN2610 Internet Transformations
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 18 Junior credit points in any of Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender and Culture Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Media and Communication, Philosophy, Psychology or Sociology or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Digital Cultures Prohibitions: ARIN2100 Assessment: 1x1000wd tutorial exerices (25%), 1x1500wd short essay (35%), 1x2000wd critical analysis and map (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The Internet is an infrastructure that supports constant industrial and social change, while also becoming progressively integrated into the routines of everyday life. Internet Transformations critically examines the online technologies, platforms and industries at the heart of these changes. It introduces key skills in analysis, evaluation and critique of these objects, situated in a historical context. It also interrogates the implications of emerging internetworked phenomena such as the internet of things, augmented reality and algorithmic cultures.
Program Core
MECO2603 Public Relations
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 24 credit points at 1000 level in Media and Communications Prohibitions: MECO2003 Assessment: 1x2000wd communication plan (30%), 1x1000wd PR tactics presentation (30%), 1x1500wd take-home exercise (30%), tutorial participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit of study introduces students to strategic public relations: the use of effective communication to build mutual understanding and positive relationships between organisations (or individuals) and their publics. Students learn to develop a public relations campaign using appropriate strategies and tactics, and objective measurement metrics. Core topics include: media relations, issues management, crisis communication, communication plans, public relations strategies and ethical practice.
3000 level units of study
Major core
MECO3603 Media, Law and Ethics
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 6 Senior credit points in Media and Communications Prohibitions: MECO3003 Assessment: 1x2000wd Essay (45%), 1x1.5hr (1700wd equivalent) exam (35%), 1x800wd online posting (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit will introduce students to the area of media, law and ethics through discussion of key legal, ethical, and cultural issues relevant to journalism and the professional fields of public communication. Students will be given an introductory survey of the main ethical theories in Western thought to establish a framework within which to examine specific ethical issues that relate to media. They will also be introduced to those aspects of the law that impinge on the work of media professionals.
MECO3605 Issues in Global and Digital Media
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 2000 level in Media and Communications Prohibitions: MECO3005 Assessment: 1x2000wd Essay (40%), 1x1000wd equivalent Tutorial presentation (20%), 1x1500wd class test (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
The unit examines the social, political and economic dynamics of media and communication in global settings. It considers the interplay among the global,regional and local in communication systems as well as the role that new technologies play in contemporary formations of global media. It assists students in consolidating their critical understanding of the factors that play the greatest role in shaping the globalisation of informational capitalism.
Interdisciplinary project unit of study
FASS3999 Interdisciplinary Impact
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1hr lecture/performance event week for 5 weeks 2hr workshop per week for 10 weeks 2hr online learning modules for 5 weeks Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 2000 level Assessment: 1x 2000 wds equivalent Mapping knowledge exercise (30%), 1x 10 minutes Collaborative Presentation (30%), 1x 2000 wds equivalent Critical reflection essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
Interdisciplinarity is a key skill in fostering agility in life and work. This unit provides learning experiences that build students' skills, knowledge and understanding of the application of their disciplinary background to interdisciplinary contexts. In this unit, students will work in teams and develop interdisciplinarity skills through problem-based learning projects responding to 'real world problems'.
Program core
MECO3606 Media Production: Advanced Media Writing
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 6 Senior credit points in Media and Communications Prohibitions: MECO3006 Assessment: 1x500wd opinion column (15%), 1x journalism analysis (10mins equiv.1000wd) (20%), 1x oral pitch (5mins equiv.500wd) (10%), 1x peer review of draft feature (equiv. 250wd) (10%), 1x2000wd long feature (40%), 1x250wd publicaiton analysis (5%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
MECO3606 aims to further develop students' writing, research and interviewing skills. The course is framed around the exploration of different feature genres of journalism that have developed in the print media (magazines and newspapers) and are now evolving online. We will explore various types of feature journalism via close reading and student writing. The unit aims not just to teach students how to write in various journalistic genres, but to think about journalism critically and creatively in order to respond to the challenges the profession is facing in the 21st century..
Honours
Honours in Media and Communications requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of Honours seminar units
(iii) 36 credit points of Honours thesis units
Honours seminar units
MECO4113 Theoretical Traditions and Innovations
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x 1500wd class paper (25%), 1x 1000wd Wikipedia theory entry (20%), 1x 3500wd critical essay (55%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The unit gives students an advanced understanding of the foundational traditions in communications, media, and digital cultures. It relates these traditions to contemporary innovations, rethinking ideas to grasp present and future media and communications forms, practices, structures, and meanings. The unit features detailed reading and analysis of key ideas, texts, thinkers, and contexts.
MECO4114 Research Methods
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Assessment: 1x 1500wd Thesis/Dissertation Critical Rev (25%), 1x 1500wd Methodology review (25%), 1x 3000wd Research Design Task (50%), 1x Presentation (0%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit will develop students' knowledge of key research methods used in media, communications and digital cultures research. Students will be introduced to a range of research techniques and methods, including quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods, and will have the opportunity to reflect critically on these methods through practitioner presentations and directed discussion. The assessment tasks will help students develop their skills to design and undertake a supervised research dissertation and enhance their abilities as researchers and practitioners.
Honours thesis units
MECO4111 Media and Communications Honours Thesis 1
Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 7 x 0.5hr supervision meetings/semester on average Mode of delivery: Supervision
Research towards and preliminary writing of an Honours thesis of 18 000-20 000 words, in collaboration with a supervisor approved by the Honours Coordinator.
MECO4112 Media and Communications Honours Thesis 2
Credit points: 24 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 7x 0.5hr supervision meetings/semester on average Assessment: 1x 18000-20000wd Thesis (100%) Mode of delivery: Supervision
In this unit students complete and submit a substantial, independent research project in Media and Communications. Regular meetings with a supervisor approved by the Media and Communications Honours Coordinator will guide their progress. Students will continue to submit drafts at agreed times, and develop their expertise in relevant research methods and analytical skills as well as in the subject matter of their specialist topic.
Units available for existing Media and Communications students only
MECO3602 Online Media
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: MECO2601 and MECO3606 Prohibitions: MECO3002 Assessment: 1x1500wd Web site project proposal and blog (25%), 1x1500wd equivalent Web feature (40%), 1x1500wd Online Essay (25%), Tutorial participation (10%) Practical field work: This unit will involve substantial group media production project work outside of class time. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This unit examines how uses of the Internet, the Web and other online media and devices, such as mobile phones and iPads, are changing the media landscape. Students will become familiar with key theoretical and professional issues in online and digital media, and learn to critically analyse online media production. They will also gain practical skills in writing and producing for the web through team development of blogs and online features.
MECO3609 Critical Practice in Media
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: 36 Senior credit points from Media and Communications Assessment: 1x1000wd project proposal (20%), 1x5000wd or equivalent research or media project (80%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only
This capstone unit of study is designed to draw together elements of theoretical and practical knowledge that students have acquired in their studies of media and communications. Students will produce a significant piece of work which demonstrates an awareness of how critical thinking and media production are capable of mutually informing each other in practice.
MECO3671 Media and Communications Internship
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Attendance will be required at a an introductory lecture and may be required at a program of industry talks Prerequisites: 30 Senior credit points in Media and Communications including MECO3603 Prohibitions: MECO3701 or MECO3702 Assessment: Students must satisfy the requirements of an internship contract with their workplace, including attendance and performance, as evaluated through a workplace supervisor report, and submit a 2000wd internship journal, assessed by the department. Mode of delivery: Professional practice
Note: Available to BA (Media and Comm), BA (Media and Comm/BLaws) students only. Students may not enrol in MECO3671 prior to the second semester of their 3rd year.
The internship consists of a work placement comprising a minimum of 140 working hours in a media organisation, assisted and supervised by both the workplace and the department. Placements include print, broadcast, and online, in journalism, public relations and advertising organisations. Students are required to submit a 2,000-word journal reflecting on and analysing their experiences during the internship. (Special conditions may apply to overseas fellowships conducted as part of this unit). The internship and internship journal are assessed on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
MECO3673 Research Practices
Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 18 Senior credit points in Media and Communications Assessment: 1x2000wd research essay (50%), 1x2500wd proposal (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit introduces students to a range of research methods commonly used in media and communications. Students will participate in exercises to gain hands-on experience and will investigate the importance of methods in scholarly and professional settings. The unit provides an introductory understanding of key research methods and strategies relevant to media and communications 'clusters' such as social media, journalism, public relations, and radio. Students will also write a proposal for an essay or media project, which they have the option to complete in semester two as part of MECO3609.