MECO6926: Semester 2, 2021

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Units MECO6926 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

MECO6926: International Media Practice

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This core unit of study in the Master of Media Practice takes an international media focus, developing knowledge of a wide range of media contexts in both the global South and global North. Drawing on comparative media theories, it enables students to map, analyse and debate similarities and differences in media markets, management and regulatory arrangements, professional media practices, and user cultures, to enhance graduate employability across global labour markets. Students are equipped to critically examine disparities in media access and infrastructure, emergent mechanisms of media governance, and debates about the role of media professionals in social progress across world regions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MECO6926
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	Penny O'Donnell, penny.odonnell@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Penny O'Donnell, penny.odonnell@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Xuanzi Xu, xuanzi.xu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Maryam Alavi Nia, maryam.alavinia@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Media theory mapping Online submission	25%	Multiple weeks	1500 words (equivalent). Must attempt.
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Comparative G-South media project Online submission	35%	Week 07 Closing date: 26 Sep 2021	2000 words. Must attempt
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Creating a new point of view essay Online submission	40%	Week 12 Closing date: 07 Nov 2021	2500 words. Must attempt
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

More information can be found in 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	Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard as defined in the assignment rubric.
Distinction	75 - 84	Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard as defined in the assignment rubric.
Credit	65 - 74	Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard as defined in the assignment rubric.
Pass	50 - 64	Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard as defined in the assignment rubric.
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.

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 cultural competence in international media practice	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 02	Why theory? Why the Global South? What is Southernization of media theory?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	What is the West? Who needs de-Westernization?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 04	Smash-and-grab epistemologies	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 05	Comparing similarities and differences in diverse G-South media systems	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Hybrid systems	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 07	Path dependency	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 08	Soft power strategies	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 09	Debating new contours of international media power	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Digital media platforms: force for social progress or social conformity	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 11	Cultural cosmopolitanism: better world or more friction?	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 12	Leadership in international media practice: 'to grab new vistas of possibilities'	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Student showcase and class review	Seminar (2 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.
Preparation: Students are supported to identify target learning rewards, consider learning challenges, and use diverse strategies to achieve their goals.

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 via the Reading List available on the MECO6926 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.

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

LO1. Define the advantages of comparative research for advancing cultural competence in international media practice.
LO2. Explain ‘de-westernizing’ and ‘southernizing’ as critical perspectives in media research.
LO3. Critically analyse the principles of comparative research that apply to national versus international media contexts.
LO4. Evaluate landmark studies and major findings in comparative research on Global South media.
LO5. Apply the principles of comparative research in comparing diverse Global South media.
LO6. Create a new point of view on a selected real-world international media event or issue in your part of the world, using the comparative perspective.

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.

Each year, UoS survey results are carefully reviewed to identify students' suggestions for improving the curriculum content, assessment, and delivery of MECO6926. This year, two main recommendations have been adopted: 1) the learning materials have been substantially refreshed to provide multiple entry points for student engagement, learning, and peer interaction, and 2) the assessment tasks have been modified to include media theory mapping (via student learning plans, quizzes, peer review) to support students in developing conceptual thinking and cultural competence. As well as formal student survey feedback, tutors in this unit work closely with students in each cohort to ensure the course is responsive to their particular areas of interest. Please do not hesitate to share your interests with your seminar leader. Be aware that informal feedback from students is welcome at any time.

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

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