University of Sydney Handbooks - 2019 Archive

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Media Studies

Media Studies

The Media Studies major is only available to students in the combined Bachelor of Arts /Bachelor of Law degree and students in the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) who are eligible to exit the Media and Communications program after 3 years of study (144 credit points). These students will be awarded the BA (Media Studies), which is the Bachelor of Arts with a major in Media Studies.

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 program core units
(iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level program core unit
(iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level program 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 Honours core units of study
(vi) All other students must complete 24 credit points of 4000-level program core units of study.
* Students who exit the Media and Communications program after 144 credit points will be awarded a BA (Media Studies).

Major

A major in Media Studies requires 48 credit points from this table including:
(i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units
(ii) 12 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 unit

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/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), BA/BLaw and Digital Cultures major 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 Digital Media and Communications Landscapes

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Assessment: 1x500wd create CV and online profile (10%), 1x800wd design landscape infographic (20%), 1x1200wd online lit review quiz (30%), 1x2000wd research essay (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), BA/BLaw and Digital Cultures major students only
Digital media and communications landscapes teaches students to map and analyse media policy, industry change, and user engagement. Within this framework, it explores concepts of labour and practical responses to workplace dynamics. Students will review their digital media footprint and develop professional branding strategies.
Program core
MECO1003 Principles of Media Writing

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr seminar/week Prohibitions: MECO2002 Assessment: 1x3500wd news portfolio (80%), 1x1000wd reflection (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) students only
This unit will give students foundational skills in information gathering and writing for media, with a focus on news and journalistic styles. Students will 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
Note: Available to BA/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) students only
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: 1x10min mixed audio piece (45%), 1x5-7min interview (25%), 1x2min voice recording (news/narration)(10%), 3x500wd reflective onlne journal (20%) 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/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), BA/BLaw students only
This unit introduces radio broadcasting and podcasting by exploring the principles of sound design, production and distribution. Students will learn to plan, produce and publish their own radio and podcast segments using state of the art studios, portable recording tools and hosting services.
MECO2602 Media Production: Video

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2 hr lecture/week for nine weeks, 1x2hr workshop/week Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 1000 level in Media and Communications including MECO1004 Assessment: 1x 1200wd equivalent 80 second TV News story (25%), 1x 2300wd equivalent 6-minute factual video (50%), 1x 1000wd Take home mid semester exercise (25%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Available to BA/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), BA/BLaw students only
This unit introduces students to the history, theory and practice of video production. The unit will equip students with practical skills in planning and researching a video, as well as skills in digital camera operation, video recording, lighting, sound and digital non-linear video editing. The unit emphasises factual, non-fiction video.
Major selective
ARIN2620 Everyday Digital Media

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x2hr lecture/week, 1x1hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 1000 level in Digital Cultures or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Media Studies or 18 credit points at 1000-level in any of Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology or Sociology Prohibitions: ARIN2200 Assessment: 1x1250wd take-home exercise 1 (25%), 1x2000wd research essay (40%), 1x1250wd take-home exercise 2 (25%), participation (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
How we eat, sleep, talk, love, shop, work, play, learn and die are all shaped by digital media. Everyday digital media focuses on the transformation of self and society through the digital mediation of everyday practices. How do we organise our social lives and engage creatively in online realms? What are the opportunities and risks of sharing and self-presentation in networked publics? How are communities reconfigured in a digital context? This unit introduces theories of digital culture and identity and applies them to our everyday experiences and interactions with social media, participatory culture, locative media, computer games, virtual reality, smart homes and connected cities.
ARIN2610 Internet Transformations

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 12 credit points at 1000 level in Digital Cultures or 12 credit points at 1000 level in Media Studies or 18 credit points at 1000-level in any of Anthropology, Art History, Computer Science, Design Computing, English, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, History, Information Systems, Information Technology, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology or Sociology Prohibitions: ARIN2100 Assessment: 3x500wd analytic journal entries (25%), 1x1000wd equiv research presentation (30%), 1x2000wd critical analysis or web feature (45%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
The Internet is at the heart of major digital transformations in industry, society and culture. This unit introduces key skills in analysis and critique of the technologies involved in networked change, exploring internet imaginaries, histories and emerging phenomena.
Program Core
MECO2603 Public Relations

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 18 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/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) 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: 18 credit points at 2000 level in Media Studies or 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/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), BA/BLaw 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 or 6 Senior credit points 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/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications), BA/BLaw 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
MECO3998 Industry and Community Project

Credit points: 6 Session: Intensive December,Intensive February,Intensive January,Intensive July,Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: Interdisciplinary Impact in any major Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit is designed for third year students to undertake a project that allows them to work with one of the University's industry and community partners. Students will work in teams on a real-world problem provided by the partner. This experience will allow students to apply their academic skills and disciplinary knowledge to a real-world issue in an authentic and meaningful way.
MECO3999 Interdisciplinary Impact

Credit points: 6 Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 2000 level in Media Studies Prohibitions: Interdisciplinary Impact in another major Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
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: 18 credit points at 2000 level in Media and Communications and MECO1003 or 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/B Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) 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 4000-level Honours seminar units
(ii) 36 credit points of 4000-level 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 Dissertation Critical Review (25%), 1x 1500wd Methodology review (25%), 1x 3000wd Research Design Task (40%), 2 x Presentations (10%) 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.