Outline

Overview

Digital media and communications landscapes teaches students to map and analyse media policy, industry change, and user engagement. Within this framework, it explores concepts of labour and practical responses to workplace dynamics. Students will review their digital media footprint and develop professional branding strategies.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Media and Communications
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	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
Assignment	Research essay n/a	40%	STUVAC Due date: 23 Nov 2020 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Landscape infographic n/a	10%	Week 04 Due date: 14 Sep 2020 at 23:59	500 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Profile of media work n/a	20%	Week 07 Due date: 12 Oct 2020 at 23:59	750 words equivalent, inc. 500w text
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Literature review quiz n/a	30%	Weekly	1250 words equivalent
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Literature review quiz: Complete a weekly online quiz based on the weekly readings and submit a question prompted by the readings.Landscape infographic: To create an infographic. The infographic will answer the question, 'How are digital platforms disrupting traditional business models in Australian media and communications and what are the consequences?'
Profile of media work: To design a 3-page (A4) illustrated profile of media work in Australia. The profile will answer the question, 'What are the parameters and requirements of work in Australia's media and comms industries?'
Research essay: To research and write an essay that answers one question from a list of six options and analyses policy and regulatory practices in Australian media and communications.

All assessment tasks are compulsory and must be attempted to be eligible to pass.

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.

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

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:

All late assessments will be penalised at a rate of 5% per day. Any assessments submitted 10 days or more after the due date will receive a 0 mark.

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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	Mapping	Lecture and tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Business models	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 03	Industry organisation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 04	Competitive pressures	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 05	Labour market dynamics	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 06	Content creators	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 07	Branding, celebrity and influence	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 08	Media critics and advocates	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 09	Policy and regulatory practices	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 10	Self-regulation	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 11	Data collection, online privacy and digital rights	Lecture and tutorial (3 hr)
Week 12	Telling Australian stories	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.
Lecture recording: Lectures will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS.
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

Textbook: S. Cunningham & S. Turnbull (Eds.), The Media and Communications in Australia, 4th edition, Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin.

All additional readings for this unit can be accessed on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

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 disciplinary literary in media political economy, including business models, industry organisation, policy and regulation, labour market dynamics, content creation, access, voice, diversity and use
LO2. explain ways digital platforms are disrupting traditional business models and their consequences
LO3. identify and discuss the parameters and requirements of work in Australia's media and comms industries
LO4. read and critique recommended academic readings and media coverage on key issues of debate around Australian media and communications
LO5. research and analyse policy and regulatory practices in at least one Australian media sector
LO6. communicate learning outcomes in diverse formats including discussion and debate in lectures and tutorials, conceptual media production, and academic writing.

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.

The 2019 S2 USS revealed students wanted more support for the Infographic assessment and were concerned about equity in the use of software for the assessment.As a result of this feedback all students in 2020 will be required to use the free software program Canva to ensure equity. Canva support video tutorials will be made available.

Additional information

Additional costs

The MECO1002 textbook is S. Cunningham & S. Turnbull (Eds.), The Media and Communications in Australia, 4th edition, Crows Nest, Australia: Allen & Unwin. RRP: $55 Non-members; $51.15 members. The book can be purchased via Booktopia as a hardy or an ebook. second copies are also available. Do NOT purchase the 3rd edition (2010) as it does not include chapters listed in the weekly reading schedule.

Work, health and safety

If there is a return to campus during semester students should familiarise themselves with University of Sydney procedures for safety during the pandemic. The procedures, and other advice is available here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/study/coronavirus-infection-university-of-sydney-advice.html

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

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MECO1002: Digital Media and Communications Landscapes

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links