Unit Outline

Power describes the capacity of an individual or group to influence the opinions, decisions and actions of others. This unit explores the role of media in the communication of power in society and, importantly, the counter-movements that challenge power. In these spaces of cooperation and contest, individuals and groups form new networks to represent the interests of places and communities. Media and communication is an integral part of these processes because media is used to inform our ideas of the possibilities, challenges, hopes and responsibilities within moments of social change. Drawing on case studies, contemporary debates and the key concepts in sociology and media studies, this unit explores how groups interact in and through media to influence the negotiations and decisions affecting them.

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	Describe and discuss key concepts and debates relating to power in media and communication studies
2	Apply conceptual knowledge to identify where and how power is represented in contemporary media and communication landscapes
3	Evaluate and discuss the strategic use of media to inform and influence public debate in the contemporary media environment
4	Synthesise relevant theoretical and applied concepts to produce a professional analysis of a campaign strategy, which may include content analysis and/or counter-campaign material

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:	Task 1: Engagement Journal - Short writing exercises	See the MyLO site for the due date	25 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Task 2: Social movement case study	See the MyLO site for the due date	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Task 3: Communicating Climate Change	See the MyLO site for the due date	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Task 1: Engagement Journal - Short writing exercises

Task Description:

Five in-class writing exercises requiring students to answer a  series of questions (300-400 words) relating to the fortnight’s reading and in-class discussion. 

Designed to encourage students to read before class and to attend class for peer-supported learning, these writing assignments are due 48-hours after class.

Task Length:

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Summarise a scholarly reading to identity key points and debates within the text	LO1
2	Discuss its contribution to knowledge and our understanding of wider debates and issues about power in society	LO2
3	Synthesise this summary of key points with a reflection on its contribution to your understanding of the way power is represented and exercised through media	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Task 2: Social movement case study

Task Description:

Select a contemporary or historic example of a social movement that challenged social practices and/or political authority. Describe the methods of media and communication used to mobilise support and enact change and discuss the role of media as a space of interaction between various actors within the broader social, cultural and political contexts.

Task Length:

2000 words

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and describe key concepts and debates in media and communication studies	LO1
2	Analyse and evaluate media texts from local and global perspectives	LO2
3	Demonstrate analytical and research skills in media and communication studies	LO4
4	Evaluate the strategic use of media to inform and influence public debate in the contemporary media environment	LO4

Assessment Task 3: Task 3: Communicating Climate Change

Task Description:

How is media, including social media, used to construct our understanding of climate change and other environmental risks? Drawing on the idea of mediatised environmental conflict, discuss how media are used by various actors to assert their knowledge, values, and opinion in order to influence public deliberation and decision-making. Your analysis can be presented as an academic essay or a podcast intended for a general audience.

Task Length:

2000 words (or equivalent)

Due Date:

See the MyLO site for the due date

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Identify and describe key concepts and debates in media and communication studies	LO1
2	Analyse and evaluate media texts from local and global perspectives	LO2
3	Integrate and apply theoretical knowledges to the production of a communication project	LO3
4	Demonstrate analytical and research skills in media and communication studies	LO4
5	Apply knowledge and skills effectively and creatively within a changing media and communication environment	LO3, 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.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

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.