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Unit of study_

MECO1001: Introduction to Media Studies

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 Bunty Avieson, bunty.avieson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Bunty Avieson, bunty.avieson@sydney.edu.au
Mei Li, mei.li@sydney.edu.au
Jennifer Hagedorn, jennifer.hagedorn@sydney.edu.au
Harriet Flitcroft, harriet.flitcroft@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay 1
See Assessment One on MECO1001 Canvas site for detailed information.
30% Multiple weeks
Due date: 07 Apr 2024 at 23:59
1200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Essay 2
See Assessment Two on MECO1001 Canvas site for detailed information.
40% Multiple weeks
Due date: 17 May 2024 at 23:59
1800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Online task Understand your information need
#earlyfeedbacktask
0% Week 03
Due date: 04 Mar 2024 at 23:59
about 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Online Test
See assessment details on MECO 1001 Canvas site for further information
30% Week 13
Due date: 23 May 2024 at 12:00
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

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

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Please note: In order to pass this unit ALL assessments must be submitted to a satisfactory or above standard. 

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.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction - What is Theory? Lecture (2 hr) LO3
Week 02 Communication and culture Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Media, medium and mediation Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Genre and AI Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Narrative and discourse Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Semiotics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Media effects Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Media representation: Gender and Race Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Media representation: Disability Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Publics and Audiences Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Active and Creative Audiences Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Communicating Australia Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Online Test (Lecture time) and Final Essay consultations Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

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. 
  • Lecture recording: Lectures will be held live 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 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. 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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.