GSC2411

Media, culture, power: theories of mass communications

Cathy Greenfield

8 points
* Second semester
* 3 hours per week (1-hour lecture, 2-hour tutorial)
* Gippsland and distance
* Prerequisites: One of GSC1901, GSC1401 plus GSC1402 or equivalents or permission

Objectives On successful completion of the subject students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the significance of theories of mass communications and culture and the basic assumptions and arguments of these theories; the relations between mass communications and social relations of power. Students should be able to utilise particular approaches to the description and analysis of cultural and media texts and activities, and articulate the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches.

Synopsis The subject considers nineteenth and twentieth-century accounts of the relations between media, culture and power, in particular as these amount to theories of mass communications. These accounts, or the frameworks from which they arise, are examined as both forming and contextualising various social and cultural practices. Such analysis enables discussion of the way media contribute to the organisation of social relations and the government of populations. Students will examine arguments from a range of writers, including Arnold, Eliot, Leavis, Adorno, Brecht, Althusser, Hall, Foucault, Bourdieu, Woollacott, Johnson and Hunter, and the different approaches they offer to cultural issues such as television, radio, the economy and public opinion.

Assessment internal students Essay one (2500 words): 40%
* Essay two (3000 words): 50%
* Oral communication contribution: 10%
Assessment distance education students Essay one (2500 words): 40%
* Essay two (3000 words): 50%
* Journal work: 10%

Prescribed texts

To be advised

GSC2411

Media, culture, power - theories of mass communications

Associate Professor Cathy Greenfield

6 points
* 3 hours per week
* Flexible learning
* Second semester
* Berwick

Objectives (i) to introduce the major approaches to mass communications and culture; (ii) to establish the relations of difference and similarity between these approaches; (iii) to describe the historical and social conditions and political consequences of these approaches (iv) to consider the usefulness of these approaches to the description and analysis of mass communications and cultural forms; and (v) to develop capabilities to recognise, distinguish and assess various approaches to mass communications and culture. Upon successful completion of this subject students will be able to (i) demonstrate an understanding of the significance of theories of mass communications and culture; (ii) demonstrate an understanding of the basic assumptions and arguments of the major theories of mass communications and culture (iii) demonstrate an understanding of the relations between mass communications and social relations of power (iv) utilise particular approaches to the description and analysis of cultural and media texts and activities, and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the approaches.

Synopsis The subject considers nineteenth and twentieth-century accounts of the relations between media, culture and power, in particular as these amount to theories of mass communications. These accounts, or the discourses from which they arise, are examined as both forming and contextualising various social and cultural practices. Such analysis enables discussion of the way media contribute to the organisation of social relations and the government of populations. Students will examine arguments from a range of writers, including Arnold, Eliot, Leavis, Adorno, Brecht, Althusser, Hall, Foucault, Bourdieu, Woollacott, Johnson and Hunter, and the different approaches they offer to cultural issues such as television, radio, the economy and public opinion.

Assessment Essay one (2500 words): 50%
* Essay two (2500 words): 50%

Prescribed texts

To be announced