Outline

Overview

This unit examines the scope and impact of American media. Google, Twitter, Netflix, Reddit, Instagram: the American nation is constructed and consumed through its media technologies, beamed around the world as 'content. ' This unit will consider the relationship between US media industries and the stories we consume. It surveys multiple forms and formats, including cinema, television, radio, podcasts, literature, and social media. Students will be encouraged to examine their own media habits and practices, as well as understand how the US projects an image of itself through its media industries.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	United States Studies Centre
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Aaron Nyerges, aaron.nyerges@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Research Essay Essay	45%	Formal exam period	2000 wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Media Practice Analysis Part 1 Early Feedback Task	5%	Week 03	250 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Media Practice Analysis Part 2 Analysis of Media Practice Log	10%	Week 05	500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Research Proposal Research Proposal	15%	Week 09	750 wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	1 x 1000 Word Equivalent Presentation Oral presentation	25%	Week 13	1000 word	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Artificial Intelligence will be discussed critically throughout this unit. Students are permitted to use it in order to analyze and evaluate it, but they will be encouraged to understand its costs and limitations. Any use of AI in the course of completing an assessment must be cited clearly and correctly. See canvas for more details about permissible AI use for each assessment task.

Media Analysis Part 1: students are required to track and report on their media usage over a 24hr period, following a report template provided by instructors.

Media Analysis Part 2: students write a short analysis of their 24 hour media usage diary.

Research Proposal: students are required to plan a research project on a topic of their choice, relating to US media indsutries and/or technologies.

Presentation: each student is required to introduce an example of American media associated with their research essay, and explain how it represents the complexity or diversity of the US.

Research Essay: students are required to complete a research essay on a topic of their choice, relating to US media industies and/or technologies.

Assessment criteria

Result code	Result name	Mark range	Description
HD	High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
DI	Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
CR	Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
PS	Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
FA	Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
AF	Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Standard late penalities apply

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction: the rise and fall of platforms in America	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	The ideology of social networks	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	The ideology of social networks	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	American celebrity and the networked self	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	American celebrity and the networked self	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Networked masculinities	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Networked masculinities	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	The politics of platforms	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	The politics of platforms	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Social media pathologies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Social media pathologies	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Participatory culture	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Participatory culture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Digital conspiracies	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Digital conspiracies	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Research workshop	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Cinema and the internet	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Cinema and the internet	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	War and technology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	War and technology	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Sex and dating online	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Sex and dating online	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	AI and Silicon Valley’s god complex	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	AI and Silicon Valley’s god complex	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

COVID-19 Announcement:

This unit will now be taught online. Zoom lectures and discussion boards will replace regularly scheduled class time and / or consultations. Recordings will be made available to students and accessibility needs will be considered

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. recognise how America is constructed through multiple forms of media, technology, and industry;
LO2. describe their media habits and practices, in order to interpret the influence of American media on individuals and societies;
LO3. develop an American Studies research project that explains the influence of US media industries;
LO4. demonstrate an understanding of the diversity of the United States as represented by the historical formation of its media;
LO5. demonstrate proficiency in oral and written communication.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Readings are now offered through a Canvas Reading List so free access to magazine articles is assured.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AMST1202: Hashtag America: Media, Technology, Industry

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links