University of Sydney Handbooks - 2021 Archive

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Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications)

Unit outlines will be available through Find a unit outline two weeks before the first day of teaching for 1000-level and 5000-level units, or one week before the first day of teaching for all other units.
 

Media and Communications

Advanced Coursework

Advanced Coursework in Media and Communications requires the completion of 30 credit points, including:
(i) 18 credit points of advanced coursework units of study; and
(ii) 12 credit points of advanced coursework project units of study.
Advanced Coursework units of study
MECO4115 Media and Communications Internship

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr introductory lecture Prerequisites: 72 credit points in the Media and Communications program Assessment: 1x2000wd internship journal, and satisfy the requirements of an internship contract with their workplace, including attendance and performance, as evaluated through a workplace supervisor report. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
Note: Department permission required for enrolment
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.
MECO4116 Research Practices

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1x1hr lecture/week, 1x2hr tutorial/week Prerequisites: 18 credit points at 3000-level in Media and Communications Assessment: 1x1500wd research essay (40%), 1x2000wd proposal (45%), 2x250wd equivalent consultations (5%), 1x500wd equivalent pitch (10%) 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 multimedia, literary journalism, public relations, magazines and audio. Students will also write a proposal for an essay or media project, which they will complete in semester two in the unit Critical Practice in Media.
MECO4117 Critical Practice in Media

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 2 Classes: 1x2hr seminar/week Prerequisites: MECO4116 Assessment: 1x6000wd equivalent Major media project (100%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This 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.
Advanced Coursework project units of study
FASS4901 Advanced Industry and Community Project A

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Intensive February,Intensive July Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Corequisites: FASS4902 Assumed knowledge: Depth of knowledge in at least one discipline (major). Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Practical field work: Minimal practical field work is expected but requirements will vary depending on the project, and may include a period of mobility or immersion in a community or industry setting. Mode of delivery: Block mode
This unit allows students to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams on complex "real world" problems under a theme developed in collaboration with industry and community partners. Briefed by the partners and guided by project supervisors, students use systems thinking approaches to design their own projects and engage in self-directed inquiry-based research to provide final recommendations. In this unit, students will develop their own professional identity through participation in communities of practice and reflective practice, together with an in-depth understanding of specific project-related matters. This experience will equip students with an agile mindset and skillset that will assist them to successfully navigate dynamic future environments and career paths. See the ICPU website for further information here:
https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/industry-and-community-projects/4000-level-projects.html
FASS4902 Advanced Industry and Community Project B

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Session: Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Corequisites: FASS4901 Assumed knowledge: Depth of knowledge in at least one discipline (major). Assessment: Refer to the unit of study outline https://www.sydney.edu.au/units Practical field work: Minimal practical field work is expected but requirements will vary depending on the project, and may include a period of mobility or immersion in a community or industry setting Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit allows students to work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams on complex "real world" problems under a theme developed in collaboration with industry and community partners. Briefed by the partners and guided by project supervisors, students use systems thinking approaches to design their own projects and engage in self-directed inquiry-based research to provide final recommendations. In this unit, students will develop their own professional identity through participation in communities of practice and reflective practice, together with an in-depth understanding of specific project-related matters. This experience will equip students with an agile mindset and skillset that will assist them to successfully navigate dynamic future environments and career paths. See the ICPU website for further information here:
https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/industry-and-community-projects/4000-level-projects.html
FASS4903 ABC Innovation Research Project Unit

Credit points: 12 Session: Semester 2 Classes: 6 weeks of 1x3hr seminar/week, 5 weeks of 1x3hr project research consultation session, 2 weeks of 1x3hr report workshop and presentations, 1x1hr group meeting/week. NB: as this is a 12 credit point double weighted unit, students should commit to spend approximately six hours preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays etc) for every hour of scheduled instruction. Assessment: 2x500wd individual research blog postings (20%), 1x500 group project plan (10%), 1x10min group oral project report update (10% (pass/fail), 1x1000wd group draft research report (15%), 1x6000wd equivalent group innovation research report and presentation (45%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit introduces students to researching innovation practices in the Australian media industry with application to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Students will apply human-centred design principles to investigating the innovation challenges of public service media in the Australian regulatory and industry environment. Students will research a policy program or product strategy in response to problems identified by the ABC, prepare a management report detailing proposed problem-solving outcomes and present these proposals to media executives. They will work in groups to undertake and present the outcomes of their research. In doing so they will examine a range of professional issues including commercial and contractual practices and intellectual property, and gain proficiency in relevant professional practices such as strategy and policy development.