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Unit of study_

MECO6926: International Media Practice

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Remote

This core unit in the Master of Media Practice introduces the foundations of comparative analysis to advance understanding of diverse media systems, cultures, patterns of thinking and practices beyond one’s own society. It aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to become culturally-competent and influential media professionals, with expertise in producing and evaluating communication practices and processes across global South and global North settings. Students will investigate the transformation processes reconfiguring hierarchies of media visibility, attention, and power in digital, legacy and hybrid international media, and their implications for social inclusion/exclusion.

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
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Seminar report
Upload and present topic and pose questions to facilitate class discussion
20% Multiple weeks
Closing date: 19 May 2023
10 slides (1200 words eq) Must attempt
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment International media analysis
Critical analysis comparing news reports in listed West/South digital media
35% Week 06
Due date: 02 Apr 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 30 Apr 2023
4 case studies. 2100 words. Must attempt
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Assignment Counter-narrative storytelling
Write a counter-narrative on an issue of concern related to course
45% Week 12
Due date: 21 May 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 04 Jun 2023
3 story lines. 2700 words. Must attempt
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

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 is for a very high standard, a Credit is for a good standard, and a Pass is for an acceptable standard.

A detailed marking rubric for each assignment is located in MECO6926 Assignments on Canvas.

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.

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 International coverage: News to keep up with the world Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 News cultures Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 03 Gatekeeping Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 04 Long-term trends in news content Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5
Week 05 Decolonizing global news flows Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 The nation-state and journalism Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Representation Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Marginalized voices Seminar (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 09 Media visibility of issues confronting humanity Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Countering masternarratives Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 11 Story-telling on issues confronting humanity Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Diverse global perspective Seminar (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 13 International media futures Seminar (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7

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.

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 through the Library’s reading list system Leganto, available on Canvas.

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. analyse key definitions, gatekeepers, news cultures, and trends in news content related to international media coverage
  • LO2. identify and understand key issues related to US-led Western hegemony of the global communication order
  • LO3. identify and adopt an historical perspective to advance understanding of efforts to decolonize news flows
  • LO4. identify and adopt a global outlook to advance understanding of efforts to critique and counter masternarratives on issues confronting humanity
  • LO5. demonstrate ability to introduce, develop, present and pose questions on a topic related to international media to facilitate class discussion
  • LO6. demonstrate ability to analyse and critically evaluation international media research and practice
  • LO7. demonstrate ability to locate, comment on, analyse, design and create communication practices for global audiences

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
LO1         
LO2         
LO3         
LO4         
LO5         
LO6         
LO7         

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In Semester 1, 2023, each assignment outline will specify what is expected to do well, explain the modes of feedback, and provide the unit co-ordinator's email address for further clarification as needed.

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.