Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Synopsis

This unit examines the relationship between the media and forms of 'political violence', with an emphasis on acts constructed as 'terrorism'. In particular, this unit locates practices of political violence in relation to the historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts in which media formations are embedded to assess the extent to which both traditional media and new media constitute a condition of possibility for the practices of political violence. This unit takes a critical approach to the study of media representations of political violence in order to analyse both the practices and representation of political violence have transformed in the shift to postmodernity.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of COM3090/4090 students will be able to:

1. Critique debates about what constitutes political violence.

2. Locate practices of political violence in relation to the historical, social, cultural, economic and political contexts in which media formations are embedded in order to assess the extent to which both traditional media and new media constitute a condition of possibility for the practices of political violence.

3. Apply current media and communications theory to critically analyse the representation of 'political violence' in both the national and global media of contemporary cultures.

4. Critically assess the strengths and limitations of both traditional and current analyses of media violence. In particular, students will be able to explain how contemporary theory contributes to a more sophisticated understanding of media violence than traditional media effects research allows.

5. Analyse the ways that media representations of political violence have transformed, and be able to locate these transformations in their historical contexts.

6. Explain the importance of spectacle in contemporary global cultures.

7. Explain the connections between the media, political agency, and processes of globalisation in order to comment upon new conceptualisations of the public sphere.

8. Critically evaluate the media's role in relation to counter-terrorist policy and practice.

9. Demonstrate advanced skills in research, writing and critical analysis.

Assessment

Participation in two Group Debates (held in tutorials): 10%
Two 500 word Summaries (1000 words total): 20%
Research Essay (3000 words): 60%
Tutorial Attendance and Participation: 10%

Contact hours

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

Prerequisites

For BComm (Berwick) and BA students (Caulfield and Clayton), COM1010 and COM1020