COM4421

Media, Social Relations and Power (12 points)

(ARTS)

Leader: Dr Susan Yell

Offered:
Gippsland First semester 2004 (Day)

Synopsis: The unit focuses on the social relations, including power relations, entailed in and connected to various media. It reviews some key theoretical approaches to understanding discourse, power, social relations and their mediation via communication technologies. Topics include discourse and institutions; social relations and agency; power relations and politics; media and ideology; governmentality, liberalism and citizenship; the public sphere; media as communication technologies; the 'people' and the politics of media address; globalisation, informationalism and post-industrialism; intercultural relations; imagining the nation and gendering the media.

Assessment: Participation: 10% + Minor essay (3000 words): 30% + Major essay (6000 words): 60%

Contact Hours: 2-hour seminar per week

Prerequisites: First degree with a major in mass communications or related discipline

Prohibitions: GSC4421