COM3423

Media Audiences ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Dr Susan Yell

Offered:
Gippsland First semester 2005 (Day)
Gippsland First semester 2005 (OCL)
Malaysia First semester 2005 (Day)
Singapore First semester 2005 (OCL)

Synopsis: As for COM2423.

Objectives: On successful completion of this unit students will be able to: 1) demonstrate a developed grasp of the social conditions, material practices, products and outcomes of various media; 2) demonstrate an awareness of the connections between communications technologies and the formation of audiences, citizens and communities; 3) utilise the understandings in Objectives 1 and 2 to describe and analyse historical, current and likely future trends in audience formations; 4) identify and evaluate a range of theoretical approaches to understanding audiences; 5) demonstrate sound knowledge of some audience research techniques, issues and choices; and 6) utilize the understandings in Objectives 4 and 5 to design a research project.

Assessment: Participation in online discussion group (500 words): 10% + Research design proposal (2000 words): 50% + Exam (2 hours): 40% + Students taking this unit at Level 3 will be expected to demonstrate a more sophisticated understanding of research paradigms for the research design assignment. They will be expected to demonstrate (in their online postings and in the exam) a more sophisticated understanding of Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

Contact Hours: 2 hours (1 x 2 hour seminar) per week

Prerequisites: COM1010 and COM1020 or equivalents

Prohibitions: GSC3402, GSC3423, COM2423