Unit Outline

The shift from mass communication to mass self-communication is one of the most important shifts in recent human society. Mobile communication networks allow us to produce and share content like never before which is challenging and changing our notions of our public, private and secret selves and our understandings of individuality and community. In this unit, we explore and challenge our understanding of how our use of communication technology is transforming ourselves and our world.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Explain key concepts and debates in media and cultural studies
2.	Analyse and evaluate media texts from theoretical and practical perspectives
3.	Discuss how media informs and represents identity
4.	Reflect on and evaluate your theoretical and practical approach to the production of media content

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Online Journal	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Short Essay	See the MyLO site for the due date	30 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Reflexive Essay	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Online Journal

Task Description:

Over four weeks you will keep a diary of your networked media use. This might include your preferred platforms, how you identify yourself and curate your content, and the communities that you follow and/or participate in. Prepare a short, 3-5 minute presentation describing your networked media practices.

Task Length:

1200 words (3 x 400-word journal entries)

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and describe various forms of content production and distribution	LO1
2	Analyse your own networked media use and synthesise your findings with key media and communication theories	LO2
3	Communicate what you have learned to an audience	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Short Essay

Task Description:

Use a semiotic analysis approach to
draw out the textual features as well as the connoted cultural meanings of either a print advertisement or a photograph. What kinds
of ideological messages about ‘the self’ and/or identity do you think are present in this image?

Task Length:

1200 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

30 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and describe various forms of content production and distribution	LO2
2	Identify and describe key concepts and debates in media and communication studies related to networked media	LO1
3	Analyse your own networked media use and synthesise your findings with key media and communication theories	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Reflexive Essay

Task Description:

In this academic essay, you are asked to reflect on the outcome of your project. How effectively did you identify and design your project, what hurdles did you encounter and how did you work correspond to, or challenge, the key concepts and debates covered in this unit?

Task Length:

1800 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Define knowledge of key media and communication studies concepts, approaches, and methods	LO1
2	Analyze and evaluate media texts from theoretical and practical perspectives	LO2, LO3
3	Reflexively evaluate your media practice	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.