100-204 Media and Communications Theory

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 25 points of core Media and Communications subjects and 25 points of optional Media and Communications subjects at first year level.

This subject is designed to introduce students to the major branches of media and communications theory at an intermediate level. It covers approaches drawn from both humanities and social sciences, including medium theory, textual analysis, political economy, and theories of the information society. Key topics include ideology and semiotics, narrative and genre analysis, audiences, media globalisation and new media. Students will be presented with a range of case studies engaging with representations of gender and sexuality, class, race and ethnicity, and will investigate the pressures that contribute to patterns of media stereotyping. Students completing this subject will gain a deeper understanding of the diverse forces shaping the contemporary endoscope, and of the different theoretical traditions underpinning various research methodologies in the field of media and communication.

• be able to demonstrate competence in reading relevant academic literature and in reflecting critically on that body of literature;

• be able to demonstrate conformity to appropriate forms of written presentation in academic work;

• be able to demonstrate a general awareness of the role of theory in understanding social life.

A textual analysis of 1500 words 35% (due mid-semester), a research essay of 2500 words 55% (due at the end of semester), an oral presentation of 10 minutes 5% (in seminar) and seminar participation 5%. Students must complete all assignments and attend at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment.

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester.