Unit Outline

In this unit you will develop knowledge and understanding of key theories and concepts relating to the study of mass communication in a historical, local and global perspective. You will critically analyse news media and social media and their roles in business and societal processes while examining media ethics and regulatory practice in the context of news culture, social media and the internet.

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	Discuss how media influences and is influenced by society
2	Analyse the different points of view, bias, values, or intent present in media texts
3	Describe and apply media codes, concepts and conventions
4	Communicate information to others in a variety of genres and formats

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:	Group Project: TV Pitch	Week 5	20 %	LO1, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Academic Essay	Week 10	20 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 3:	Portfolio	Refer to Assessment Description	20 %	LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 4:	Examination	Exam Period	40 %	LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Group Project: TV Pitch

Task Description:

You will develop an idea for a new TV program and pitch it to the class. You may use PowerPoint, Images, notes, etc.

Task Length:

5-10 minute presentation

Due Date:

Week 5

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Design an original concept for a TV pitch	LO3
2	Communicate the pitch to the audience	LO4
3	Justify the selection of genre, narrative and cinematic techniques	LO3
4	Explain how the current media landscape influenced your choices	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Academic Essay

Task Description:

Write a 600-word explanation essay on one of the provided topics.
You must include a APA formatted reference list and in-text citations.

Task Length:

600 words

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Compose an essay using academic writing conventions	LO4
2	Relate your analysis to key media theories and concepts	LO3
3	Research and analyse media texts to illustrate your analysis	LO2
4	Include the role of the media in society in your analysis	LO1

Assessment Task 3: Portfolio

Task Description:

Throughout the semester you will submit 4 small tasks by publishing them on a personal blog.
The tasks and their due weeks are:
Film review: Week 4
Social media ad: Week 8
Open letter: Week 11
News report: Week 13

Task Length:

4 x 300 words

Due Date:

Refer to Assessment Description

Weight:

20 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Create texts using grammar and spelling conventions	LO4
2	Apply relevant media concepts and conventions	LO3
3	Present and format the texts using digital technology	LO4

Assessment Task 4: Examination

Task Description:

The exam will be a supervised MyLO quiz with Respondus Lockdown.

Task Length:

2 hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describe key media concepts and theories	LO3
2	Critically analyse a media text	LO2
3	Compose written responses using grammar and spelling conventions	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.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

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.