Media and Communications Thesis

Subject MECM90012 (2012)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2012.

Credit Points: 18.75
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

Semester 1, 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

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

Regular supervision across two concurrent semesters



Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: .5
Total Time Commitment:

240

Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or fourth year honours in Media and Communication, or Master of Global Media Communication

Corequisites:

Master of Global Media Communication students only: MULT50001 Research Principles and Practices must be undertaken concurrently with the first semester of thesis enrolment.

Recommended Background Knowledge:

Fourth Year Honours students in Media and Communication: MULT50001 Research Principles and Practices

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/

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Ingrid Volkmer

Contact

Ingrid Volkmer (semester 1)

ivolkmer@unimelb.edu.au

Carolyne Lee (semester 2)

carolyne@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

The Media and Communications Thesis subject requires students to design and deliver a substantial research project. Students will select an object of study, an appropriate methodology, and tools for analysing and interpreting the data they gather from their sources. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.

Objectives:

Students who complete this subject will be able to:

  • demonstrate an ability to design and deliver a research project and use skills to marshall evidence and interpreting it appropriately; and
  • demonstrate an ability to use appropriate theoretical and methodological models in the field of media and communications.
Assessment:

Thesis of 12,000 words (100%) due at the end of two concurrent semesters.

Prescribed Texts:

None

Recommended Texts:
  • Lee, Carolyne (2009), Ch 14 Researching and Reporting, Word Bytes, MUP
  • Bertrand, Ina and Peter Hughes (2005), Media Research Methods: Audiences, Institutions, Texts, Palgrave, Basingstoke
  • Deacon, David, Michael Pickering, Peter Golding and Graham Murdoch (eds) (1998), Researching Communications: A Practical Guide to Methods on Media and Cultural Analysis, Arnold, London
  • Wimmer, Roger D. and Dominick, Joseph R. (2006), Mass Media Research: Introduction, Thomson, Wadsworth
  • Stokes, Jane (2003), How to do Media & Cultural Studies, Sage
  • Jensen, Klaus Bruh and Nicholas W Jankowski (eds) (1991), A Handbook of Qualitative Methodologies for Mass Communication Research, Routledge, London
  • Jones, Steven G. (ed) (1999), Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net, Sage, London
Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

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

Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to:

  • prepare and present ideas in both verbal and written mode, and in conformity to conventions of academic presentation;
  • reflect on learning and take responsibility for organising personal study; and
  • participate in discussion and group activities and be sensitive to the participation of others.
Related Course(s): Bachelor of Arts (Honours)(Media and Communications)
Master of Global Media Communication
Postgraduate Diploma in Arts (Media and Communication)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Media and Communications

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