106-101 Contemporary Culture and Media

This subject offers an introduction to contemporary cultural studies by focusing on the media: in particular, film, television, new media, advertising and photography. These media are approached and studied across their interacting registers of textuality, industry, ideology, and social practice. Through a combination of close textual analysis, cultural history and critical theory, the 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. Students who complete this subject successfully should be familiar with methodologies, both critical and theoretical, on which to base further studies in English and cultural studies.

• acquire Generic Skills in the following areas and as a result of attendance at scheduled classes, participation in planned activities and discussion groups, and timely completion of essays and assignments, should have developed:

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

• critical analysis and synthesis;

• effective written and oral communication;

• information management and information literacy;

• teamwork, flexibility and tolerance;

• time management and planning.

Tutorial participation 10%. A 1500 word essay or audiovisual project of 500 words plus a 1000 word essay 35% (due mid-semester), a 1500 word essay or audiovisual project of 500 words plus a 1000 word essay 35% (due at the end of the semester), and a 1000 word multimedia e-journal plus 10 minute class presentation 20% (due at the end of the semester). Essays submitted late without an approved formal extension will be penalised at the rate of 1% per working day.

A subject reader and CD-ROM will be available from the University Bookshop.