MECO1001: Semester 1, 2021

University home

Library

Current students

Staff intranet

Find an event

Give

Current students

Units MECO1001 Semester 1 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

MECO1001: Introduction to Media Studies

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

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.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MECO1001
Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margaret Van Heekeren, margaret.vanheekeren@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam See assessment 3 on MECO 1001 Canvas site for further information	30%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 1 See Assessment One on MECO1001 Canvas site for detailed information.	30%	Multiple weeks Due date: 05 Apr 2021 at 23:59	1200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Essay 2 See Assessment Two on MECO1001 Canvas site for detailed information.	40%	Multiple weeks Due date: 24 May 2021 at 23:59	1800 words
Outcomes assessed:
= Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

A detailed marking rubric is provided in the MECO1001 Canvas site below each Assessment description.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Work of a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Work of an acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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:

Assessments submitted after the due date and time will be penalised by 5% per day. Assessments submitted 10 or more days after the due date and time will receive a 0 mark. Note: Assessment deadlines are in Sydney time.

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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction - What is Theory?	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 02	Communication and culture	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Media, medium and mediation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Narrative and discourse	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Semiotics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Genre	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Media representation: Gender	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Media representation: Disability	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Media effects	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Active audiences	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Creative audiences	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Communicating Australia	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 13	Review	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
COVID – 19 Attendance: For students impacted by the travel ban as a result of COVID-19, the on campus attendance requirements detailed above will be waived. For such students, online teaching and learning tutorials will be held via the unit Canvas site and weekly participation, equating to one hour classroom attendance, is required..
Lecture recording: Lectures will be held live over Zoom and recorded and made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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

A list of prescribed readings is available on the MECO1001 Canvas site.

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. demonstrate a broad yet nuanced understanding of introductory theories in media studies
LO2. demonstrate how to apply these theories to ‘reading’ media texts
LO3. critically evaluate the usefulness of theories in addressing questions about media production and reception
LO4. demonstrate skills in academic writing and research
LO5. demonstrate personal and intellectual autonomy through assessment and class work.

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.

Essay assessments have been restructured to assist students in adapting to university essay writing style.

Disclaimer

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

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

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect