Undergraduate - UnitATS2446 - Australian media histories

This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2014 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

print version

6 points, SCA Band 1, 0.125 EFTSL

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered, or view unit timetables.

Level	Undergraduate
Faculty	Faculty of Arts
Organisational Unit	Communications and Media Studies
Offered	Not offered in 2014
Coordinator(s)	Dr Shane Homan

Notes

Previously coded COM2240

Synopsis

In this unit students consider the key social, political and technological contexts in the development of the Australian media, and its significance within Australian life. It investigates the growth of the print, radio, television, popular music and cinema industries and accompanying national contexts including media ownership patterns, media policy settings and audience formations/desires. The subject examines both the building of forums for national debate, but also how the media industries assisted in the construction of nationhood. Through the study of different histories of media and approaches to media history, students gain an understanding of contemporary local media landscapes.

Outcomes

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

an understanding of the key communication technologies through Australian history and identify the political and social contexts associated with their introduction
an assessment of the complex relationships between governments, audiences and industries in different eras through the use of specific case studies
an ability to critically and independently engage with key debates and issues arising from historical media and successive media/cultural studies interpretations
an ability to apply broader media studies concepts to distinct local contexts
an ability to explain and analyse course concepts and debates in written and oral forms
Third year students will be required to demonstrate a greater depth of analysis and engagement with conceptual frameworks arising from a higher level of independent research.

Assessment

Media history research essay (900 words): 20%
Case study essay (2700 words): 60%
Take home exam (900 words): 20%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Shane Homan

Workload requirements

One 2-hour lecture/seminar per week

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

Communications

Prerequisites

Both Gateway units ATS1279 and ATS1280 in Communications

Prohibitions

ATS3446