COM2409

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

Leader: Robert Briggs

Offered:
Gippsland Second semester 2006 (Day)
Gippsland Second semester 2006 (OCL)
Malaysia Second semester 2006 (Day)
Singapore Second semester 2006 (OCL)

Synopsis: Media Texts introduces a range of ways of conceiving, composing and reading representation in general, and uses these techniques to analyse particular media texts. The unit considers how traditional depictions of media texts as narrative and as ideology underpin many "common-sense" readings of media representations, before broaching the analysis of such texts in terms of discourse and textuality. The unit also examines a range of compositional technqiues with regard to their potentia social, conceptual and corporeal "effects", before speculating on how these techniques can connect with established textual histories and reading protocols to enable a range of interpretive possibilities.

Objectives: On successful completion of this unit students will have: 1. an understanding of a range of theories informing the analysis of media representations; 2) an ability to use these theories to conduct the analysis of media texts in both academic and journalistic contexts; 3) a capacity to analyse a range of compositional techniques in terms of how they may be deployed to produce specific social, conceptual and corporeal effects; 4) an awareness of the force of reading protocols and textual histories in directing both everyday and sholarly responses to media texts; 5) an appreciation of the importance of cultural and communications theory for opening new possibilities in the everyday interpretation of media texts.

Assessment: Review (1000 words): 30% + Major essay (1500 words): 40% + Exam (2 hours): 30%

Contact Hours: 2 hours (1 x 1 hour lecture and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites: COM1010 and COM1020 or equivalents

Prohibitions: COM3409, GSC2409, GSC3409