PLT3170

Politics and the Media in Australia ( 6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL)

Leader: Nick Economou

Offered:
Clayton Second semester 2006 (Day)

Synopsis: In this unit, the politics of the media is studied from three broad perspectives. First, the politics of the media is investigated from the perspective of liberal democratic theory in order to understand the role of newspapers, electronic news media, entertainment and, popular culture and so on in that which we might consider 'the political'. Second, the political economy of the media is investigated with particular emphasis on the structure of media ownership in Australia. Third, the unit undertakes a study of the relationship between the Australian media and Australian politics.

Assessment: One essay (2500 words): 50% + Examination (2 hours): 40% + Class participation: 10% + Third-year students will be expected to demonstrate wider reading and a greater research effort in the completion of the essay, and a higher level of conceptual understanding of the main themes underpinning the unit for the examination.

Contact Hours: 3 hours (2 x 1 hour lectures and 1 x 1 hour tutorial) per week

Prerequisites: A first-year sequence in Politics or permission.

Prohibitions: PLT2170