COM3130 - Print cultures: Books as media

Leader(s): Simone Murray

Offered

Berwick First semester 2009 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2009 (Day)
Clayton First semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

The book is the oldest communications medium. It continues to thrive, constantly adapting to changes in the broader media environment. Print Cultures considers the characteristics of print as a medium and the role of the book as an information architecture. It comprises 3 modules:

1. Theories and Methodologies introduces medium theory, history of the book, cultural policy studies and political economy approaches;
2. Socio-Cultural Dimensions of Books analyses the contemporary international book world, including the roles of publishers, editors, literary agents, booksellers, reading groups and libraries;
3. Book Futures focuses on the book's increasing convergence with digital media.

Objectives

Students successfully completing this unit will demonstrate:

1. Appreciation of the psychological, social and cultural characteristics of print communication and its differences from oral and electronic mediums.
2. Ability to discern longitudinal developments in the history of media and communications and to contextualise contemporary developments accurately.
3. Ability to assess the book's continuing place in the contemporary global media environment, and to account for national and regional variations in creative industries and cultural policy.
4. Knowledge of the industrial phases through which books progress between their creation and consumption, and skill in evaluating the impact of various intervening book industry stakeholders.
5. Skill in critically analysing the many interfaces of the book with digital media technologies and accounting for the symbiotic relationship between the two platforms.
6. Superior undergraduate-level competence in locating, analysing and comparing diverse research resources in both print and digital forms.
7. Self-conscious awareness of how the medium used to communicate affects the message communicated, and factoring of this awareness into future learning.
8. Superior capacity for identifying, applying and critiquing a range of theories and methodologies for conceptualising print cultures.

Assessment

Briefing paper (750 words): 20%
Research essay (1500 words): 30%
End of semester exam (2000 words): 40%
Tutorial presentation and participation (250 words): 10%

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

Prerequisites

Minor sequence in COM, or ENH, or FTV, or any other minor sequence approved by unit Co-ordinator.

Prohibitions

COM2130