Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Offered	Berwick First semester 2010 (Day) Caulfield First semester 2010 (Day) Clayton First semester 2010 (Day)
Coordinator(s)	Elizabeth Burns Coleman

Synopsis

In this unit students investigate the idea that 'information should be free' in arts, 'everyday' communications and the media. It will explore the justifications for freedom of expression and its moral limits, intellectual property, and moral rights for artists. Topics covered will include: the role of the media in a democracy; gossip and the use of celebrity images; defamation and vilification; censorship and representations of sex and violence; intellectual property, plagiarism and piracy. The topics will be chosen to have broad application by students enrolled in other areas of ECPS, as well as in Media.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge of key laws and codes regulating media and communication industries and how these laws and codes influence behaviour
2. understand how debates about communications and the media influence the development of regulations and codes
3. critically assess the arguments that justify freedom of expression, and the reasons this freedom may be limited
4. understand basic moral frameworks and identify moral issues
5. articulate a coherent position about a current issue relating to freedom of expression
6. explain their ideas and justify their conclusions in oral and written contexts.

A higher level will be expected of third-year students in terms of the depth of research, integration of diverse sources, and sophistication of argument.

Assessment

Freedom of communication essay (900 words): 20%
Research essay (1350 words): 30%
Exam (2 hours; 1800 words equivalent): 40%
Tutorial preparation and participation (450 words equivalent): 10%

Chief examiner(s)

Elizabeth Burns Coleman

Contact hours

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

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Communications

Prerequisites

First-year Communications and Media Studies sequence or other sequence approved by unit coordinator

Prohibitions

COM2160