Culture, Media and Everyday Life

Subject 106-101 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 2, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Two 1-hour lectures and a 1-hour tutorial per week
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 Audrey Yue, Dr Fran Martin

Contact

Audrey Yue

aisy@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject offers an introduction to contemporary cultural studies by focusing on the media and their effects in everyday life. It analyses film, television, new media, advertising and photography; considers their approaches across interacting registers of textuality, industry and social practice; and examines the relationships between these cultural forms and institutional sites and their practices in everyday life. This subject provides students with a reflexive understanding of the media's significance in contemporary cultural life and advanced critical skills through which to read and evaluate media discourses and texts. It also enables students to theorise many naturalised aspects of their own everyday media consumption in relation to the formations of identity and taste and to develop a grasp of the complex relationships between ideological formations and spectator pleasures.
Objectives: Students who successfully complete this subject will have an introductory understanding of contemporary theories of representation;
have an appreciation of the importance of media forms to contemporary culture;
be familiar with the processes by which films and television texts are constructed;
have an understanding of how narrative (and anti-narrative) work in film and television;
have acquired relevant research skills including use of the library, referencing and presentation of written work;
be able to apply flexible reading strategies and writing practices to the material studied;
have a background of relevant knowledge and methodologies, both critical and theoretical, on which to base further studies in Cinema and Cultural Studies.
Assessment:

A class paper of 1000 words 30% (due as scheduled throughout the semester); an advertisement/story-board/video (equivalent to 500 words) plus a 1000 word essay 35% (due mid-semester); an essay or video/website (equivalent to 500 words) plus a 1000 word essay 35% (due at the end of the semester). Students are advised to consult the following web address for details of assessment penalities which apply to this subject http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/policy/assessment/policy/penalities.html.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader and CD-ROM will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

  • develop social, ethical and cultural understanding of self and others;

  • acquire critical analysis and synthesis;

  • have an effective written and oral communication;

  • develop information management and information literacy;

  • develop teamwork, flexibility and tolerance;

  • develop time management and planning.
Notes:

Students who have completed 106-101 Contemporary Culture & Media and/or 106-106 Contemporary Culture & Everyday Life are not eligible to enrol in this subject. This subject is recommended for Bachelor of Arts students wishing to complete a major in Cinema & Cultural Studies.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) and Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Arts(Media and Communications)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Cinema & Cultural Studies
Cinema and Cultural Studies
Cinema and Cultural Studies
Cultural Studies Major

Download PDF version.