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Unit of study_

LNGS2627: Analysing (Social) Media Discourse

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

You won't believe what happens next (and it's not what you think). This unit examines linguistic approaches to media discourse. The language of news texts and social media will form a special focus of the unit. We will explore general aspects of media institutions, the ways in which social identities are constructed in the media, differences between the language of various types of media texts, and relationships between words and images.

Unit details and rules

Unit code LNGS2627
Academic unit Linguistics
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
24 credit points
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Monika Bednarek, monika.bednarek@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Communicative context
Essay based on analysis
30% Week 04
Due date: 18 Mar 2022 at 23:59
2000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Assignment Image analysis
1x15min pre-recorded presentation
30% Week 09
Due date: 29 Apr 2022 at 23:59
1500 word equivalent
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment Linguistic interpretation
Essay based on linguistic analysis
40% Week 13
Due date: 27 May 2022 at 23:59
2500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4

Assessment summary

  • A1 Communicative context: for this assessment, students will analyse the communicative context of media products and write up their analysis as an essay
  • A2 Image analysis: for this assessment, students will analyse media images and present their analysis as a pre-recorded oral slide presentation
  • A3 Linguistic interpretation: for this assessment, students will analyse how newsworthiness is constructed in a news story and write up their analsysis as a linguistic interpretation (essay)

All three assessments must be submitted; otherwise students will receive an Absent Fail.

More detailled information about these assessments including specific instructions will be provided in class and via Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Marks and grades

85-100

High Distinction (HD)

75-84

Distinction (D)

65-74

Credit (C)

50-64

Pass (P)

Below 50

Fail (F)

All three assessments must be submitted; otherwise students will receive an Absent Fail.

More detailled information about assessment grading will be provided in class and via Canvas.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

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.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

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.

Required readings

Textbook:

Bednarek, Monika and Helen Caple 2012. News Discourse. Bloomsbury Academic.

An e-copy of this book is available via the library or you can choose to purchase a paperback copy (any edition is acceptable, including second-hand copies).

Other required readings can be accessed through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

You are expected to read all of the required readings in this unit! You can choose to also engage with the readings marked as ‘optional’ on Canvas.

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.

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

  • LO1. Explain the communicative context of news products and social media
  • LO2. Analyse images applying frameworks for representational, interpersonal and presentational meanings
  • LO3. Explain the concept of news values and how they can be construed
  • LO4. analyse the linguistic organisation of news and social media

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

The unit has been updated due to covid19 to cater to both face-to-face and online cohorts.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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