Media, Politics and Cultural Diaspora

Subject CULS40004 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 4 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2015.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 2 hour seminar per week
Total Time Commitment:

120

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

None

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.

The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Audrey Yue

aisy@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject looks at the study of diaspora in a historical context from the histories of dispersion and migration, to model minority discourses, and the forces of globalisation/internationalisation. The subject emphasises the changing meanings of the space, place and position of "home" as they relate to the politics of identity and the mobility of location. Through the interfaces of race, class, gender and sexuality, the cultural productions of diasporic communities are examined as sites of resistance and new desires of belonging. The subject asks students to focus on new technologies, such as cable and minority television, transnational cinema, and the computer network, to explore the relationship between technology and media as diasporic tools for cultural maintenance and negotiation.

Learning Outcomes:
  • understand the study of diaspora in a historical context, beginning with the histories of dispersion and migration, to model minority discourses, and the forces of globalised diasporic cultural studies position;
  • comprehend diaspora and the politics of identity and location;
  • be familiar with contemporary diasporic technologies (the Internet, Third Cinema, cable and minority television, transnational media, Hong Kong Cinema) as tools for cultural negotiation and maintenance; and
  • be able to recognise and analyse diasporic strategies and sites of cultural memories and resistance.
Assessment:

An essay of 5000 words 100% (due in the examination period). Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% (or 10 out of 12) classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Any student who fails to meet this hurdle without valid reason will not be eligible to pass the subject. All required written work must be submitted in order to pass the subject. Essays submitted after the due date without an extension will be penalised 2% per day. Essays submitted after two weeks of the assessment due date without a formally approved application for special consideration or an extension will only be marked on a pass/fail basis if accepted.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • have advanced research and analytic skills;
  • develop critical and ethical self-awareness; and
  • have the ability to develop and communicate effective arguments in both oral and written form.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies
Gender Studies
Gender Studies
Screen and Cultural Studies

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