100-207 Asia-Pacific Media Systems

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 provides a cultural and political map of forms of media systems and practices in a range of countries across the Asia-Pacific region such as India, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Indonesia with a focus on Malaysia. The state centric nature of media institutions in most of the region is critically examined. The subject explores the rise of alternative media, the networking of dissent and its impact on the mainstream. Students will examine various notions of democracy, forms of political control and cultural regulation including language and religious influences on media institutions, practices and discourses. The subject also explores how countries in the region cope and respond to media imperialism and cultural globalisation and how each in its own way determines state media and communication policies to (re)construct the national/native in cultural and historical terms. Students will critically consider the debate over the notion of 'Asian values' in relation to media organizations, compare different media systems and gain insights into the cultural and political mechanisms of media in different countries through an empirically focused investigation. The subject will help students gain a comparative understanding of differences between media environments across the region.

• be able to apply appropriate frameworks to the description and evaluation of socio-cultural systems and processes;

• be able to develop a deep understanding of and empathy towards different forms of media systems, practices and discourses across the region;

• be able to contribute to effective cross-cultural communication and teamwork through interaction in and out of the classroom.

A written essay of 2000 words 40% (due mid-semester), a written country media analysis report of 2000 words 40% (due at the end of the semester), a 15-minute oral presentation of an Asian campaign 10% (due at the end of the semester) and class participation 10%. Students must have attended at least 80% of classes to be eligible for assessment.

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