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Unit of study_

MECO2601: Media Production: Radio and Podcasting

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit introduces radio broadcasting and podcasting by exploring the principles of sound design, production and distribution. Students will learn to plan, produce and publish their own radio and podcast segments using state of the art studios, portable recording tools and hosting services.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECO2601
Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
MECO2001
Prerequisites
? 
18 credit points at 1000 level in Media and Communications including MECO1004
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lea Redfern, lea.redfern@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation hurdle task Participation
For further details see Canvas.
10% Multiple weeks Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Listening analysis
Verbal and written components. See details on Canvas.
15% Week 04
Due date: 28 Mar 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Apr 2021
1000 words.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment hurdle task Narration
Original written and recorded work. See details on Canvas.
15% Week 06
Due date: 18 Apr 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 02 May 2021
Two (2) minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment hurdle task Recorded interview
Recorded audio interview with one (1) interviewee. Details on Canvas.
25% Week 08
Due date: 02 May 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 May 2021
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment hurdle task group assignment Audio final project
Mixed audio incorporating multiple elements + 500 words written reflection
35% Week 13
Due date: 06 Jun 2021 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 Jun 2021
7-9 mins audio per student; 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

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.

Result name

Mark range

Description

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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
Week 01 Why audio? Introduction to MECO2601 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Introduction to recording Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 Wireless to wireless: The history of Radio in Australia Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Introduction to editing Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 03 The elements of audio 1 The Voice Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Narration Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 The Golden Era of Podcasting Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
The Interview & Location Recording Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 The elements of audio 2: Interviewing Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Listening environments & the Studio Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Guest Lecture: The Extended Interview Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO5
Elements of audio, structuring and planning Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Guest Lecture: Focus on Genre: Climate Change Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Student Consultations/Workshops Seminar (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 08 Creative audio Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Creating Complex Audio Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Guest Lecture: Community Radio & Current Affairs Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3
Post-production 1 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Getting away with murder: The influence of the true crime genre on contemporary podcasting Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Post-production 2 Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Audiences and distribution Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Production workshop/Group Presentation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Broadcast audio: Where to from here? Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Production workshop/Group Presentation Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 13 Review and SHOWCASE Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Production workshop/Group Presentation Seminar (2 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: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be 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

All readings for this unit can be accessed from Canvas.

Recommended reading: Phillips, Gail and Lindgren, Mia (eds.). (2013). Australian Broadcast Journalism, 3rd ed. Melbourne: Oxford University Press 

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 knowledge of the history and theory of radio and the emergence and potential of podcasting
  • LO2. identify, access and coordinate knowledge of audio production, communicating it both orally and in written form
  • LO3. apply analytical, critical and creative thinking to the production of audio stories
  • LO4. apply the technical skills of presentation, panel operation, interviewing, recording and editing to produce audio works
  • LO5. work harmoniously with others in professional teams, taking personal responsibility for your own value judgments and ethical behaviour.

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.

In response to student feedback and industry developments, some changes in assignment details and lecture subjects have been made since this unit was last offered.

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.