Witness: War and the Australian Media
Subject 670-309 (2008)
Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2008.Search for this in the current handbookSearch for this in the current handbook
Credit Points: | 12.500 | ||||||||||||
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Level: | Undergraduate | ||||||||||||
Dates & Locations: | This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008: Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here. | ||||||||||||
Time Commitment: | Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks Total Time Commitment: Not available | ||||||||||||
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 Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry. It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability |
Coordinator
Dr Fay AndersonSubject Overview: | This subject examines Australia's involvement in war and the journalists and photographers who reported on these international conflicts. Since Howard Willoughby covered the Maori Wars in 1863, our war correspondents have been considered important witnesses and the public's main source of information. This subject explores the background of the major wars that the Australian media have covered including the Boer War, the World Wars, the Spanish Civil War, Vietnam, the Middle East, Ireland, Cambodia, East Timor, Kosovo and the present battle in Iraq. Within this context, the subject considers the rich history of Australian war journalism (print, broadcasting and photography), the evolution of the industry, the extent of the war correspondents' influence, how they shaped public perceptions and the prevailing representations. Drawing on a range of case studies involving the seminal battles and iconic correspondents, students will consider Banjo Patterson's reports from the Boer War, the legend of Gallipoli immortalised by C.E.W. Bean, Damien Parer's images of the Kokoda Trail, Wilfred Burchett's warning to the world at Hiroshima, East Timor and the Balibo Four and Paul McGeough's coverage of the fall of Baghdad. Major topics include: the creation of the Anzac legend, the mythmaking and truths, censorship, embedded journalism, propaganda, genocide, imagery, national identity, objectivity and the changing nature of war reporting. |
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Assessment: | An article review of 1500 words 30% (due before mid-semester break), a research essay of 2500 words 55% (due during the examination period), a 10 minute group presentation 15%. Students must have attended at least 70% of classes to be eligible for assessment. |
Prescribed Texts: | Prescribed Texts:A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester. |
Breadth Options: | This subject is a level 2 or level 3 subject and is not available to new generation degree students as a breadth option in 2008. This subject or an equivalent will be available as breadth in the future. Breadth subjects are currently being developed and these existing subject details can be used as guide to the type of options that might be available. 2009 subjects to be offered as breadth will be finalised before re-enrolment for 2009 starts in early October. |
Fees Information: | Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date |
Generic Skills: |
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