Media,Politics and Society

Subject POLS20026 (2010)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2010.

Credit Points:

12.50

Level:

2 (Undergraduate)

Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2010:

Semester 2, Parkville - 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: Thirty contact hours per semester. 2 x one hour lectures and 1 x one hour lecture per week for 10 weeks. The lecture and tutorial programs are staggered and cover the 12 weeks of semester
Total Time Commitment: Not available

Prerequisites:

Completion of at least 12.5 points of firsty year Sociology or Politics and International Studies, or one of the Faculty of Arts' Interdisciplinary Foundation (IDF) subjects.

Corequisites:

none

Recommended Background Knowledge:

First year Sociology or Politics and Internaitonal Studies

Non Allowed Subjects:

166-107 Media, Politics and Society

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/

Coordinator

Dr Stephanie Brookes

Contact

Dr. Sally Young
s.young@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	This subject examines the ways in which news is constructed in the media, the social organisation of the media and the media as site of contested power. The media is a crucial political and social actor in an era in which information is becoming an increasingly valuable resource. We will undertake a critical analysis of television, Internet and newspaper reporting in the Australian and global contexts, analysing issues including the processes by which stories come to be considered "newsworthy", and how political and social issues are represented in the media. We will also focus on the social organisation of the media, uncovering patterns of ownership, regulation, struggle, and new communication systems. Students who complete this subject should be able to assess the influence of different interests in media construction of news. be able to critically evaluate media representations of political and social relations. and understand the media as a site of power and resistance.
Objectives:	Students who successfully complete this subject should... be able to assess the influence of different interests in media construction of news. be able to critically evaluate media representations of political and social relations. be familiar with the social organisation of the media.
Assessment:	A response paper of 1000 words (25%) due during the first half of the semester, a take-home test of 1000 words (25%) due mid-semester, and a written essay of 2000 words (50%) due during the examination period.
Prescribed Texts:	A subject reader will be available for purchase from the University Bookshop.
Breadth Options:	This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses: Bachelor of Biomedicine Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Environments Bachelor of Music Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Engineering 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:	demonstrate critical thinking and analytic skills, through research and written communication. be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically, both orally and in writing. display awareness and understanding of the social, ethical and cultural contexts of the media and of our place as researchers. have gained experience in using basic research tools. be familiar with theoretical approaches to the media.
Notes:	Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts Students.
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Political Science Major Politics && International Studies Politics and International Studies Politics and International Studies Sociology Sociology Sociology Sociology Major

Download PDF version.