100-103 Global Media/Intercultural Communication

This subject is only available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications), BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce, and BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws.

Completion of 100 points of first-year arts subjects including 25 points of core Media and Communications subjects at first year.

This subject explores the role of the global media in connecting cultures. With a focus on contemporary media representations, the subject examines the changing nature of intercultural communications from its origins in interpersonal relations to what is claimed to be an impersonal, mediated process aided by new technologies. The subject explores the ways in which communications are mediated not only at national levels, but also transnationally. Students will acquire an informed knowledge of research on globalisation in relation to cross-cultural exchanges. Students will also gain an understanding of the institutional structures that determine the ways in which cultures are mediated, through a combination of government policies and the influence of media ownership on the production, content and distribution of cultural products. This subject explores the theme of local resistance to global media representations and looks at the appropriation of these to suit local audiences through specific case studies of media in the Asia-Pacific region. The idea of representation is analysed within a framework of theoretical and practical engagements with local, regional and international texts that present images and ideas of multiculturalism and strengthen the diasporic reach of national media forms. By examining case studies of television, cinema and new technologies in and from the Asia-Pacific region, students of Global Media/Intercultural Communication will broaden their understanding of the technological and cultural contexts in which intercultural communications skills have become of increasing importance.

Class participation and written work totalling 4000 words. Students must attend at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment.

A subject reader will be available.