MDIA 1002 - Key Concepts in Media
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 1002 Course Key Concepts in Media Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Incompatible MDIA 1014OL Assessment Online test, Digital media analysis, Major essay, Participation. Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Jessica Ford
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of key issues affecting the contemporary media industry
- Conduct critical media analyses to examine technical, institutional and cultural arrangements through which media are created, distributed and consumed in contemporary societies globally
- Produce insightful discursive and semiotic analysis of texts, visual and audiovisual media content
- Manage individual and collaborative work, especially through effective use of time and communication (both face-to-face and via different media)
- Put into practice essential principles for professional conduct of work at university and in the media industry
- Produce effective written and oral communication to the standard expected at university and in the media industry using different digital platforms
- Develop research skills required to solve complex problems and creative challenges
- Get to know what university life and study are like, including familiarity with the different study plans available to Bachelor of Media students
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1,2,3,7 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1,2,3,7 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
4, 5, 8 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
4,5,6,7,8 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
1,2,3,4,5,6.7.8 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
4,5,6,8 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
There is no textbook or course reader for this course. Weekly readings (weeks 1-12) are available on MyUni for download and/or printing, and should be completed each week prior to watching the mini-lectures and attending the tutuorials. Students are encouraged to take notes on the readings, as these will be useful during tutorial activities.Recommended Resources
Students may wish to purchase a media studies textbook to support their learning across their degree, BUT this is NOT essential. The following textbooks are recommended, but there are many more available:
NOTE: All these books are available for loan through the Barr Smith Library collection.
- Branston, Gill and Stafford, Roy 2010, The Media Student’s Book, 5th ed., London: Routledge. [UK text]
- Chalkley, T 2011. Communication, new media and everyday life, South Melbourne, Vic, Oxford University Press. [Australian text]
- Cunningham, Stuart and Turner, Graeme 2014, The Media and Communications in Australia, 4th ed., Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin [Australian text]
- Hartley, J. & Burgess, Jean , eds. 2013. A companion to new media dynamics, Chichester, England : Wiley-Blackwell
- Hodkinson, Paul 2011, Media, Culture and Society: An introduction, London, Sage.
- Lindgren, Simon 2017, Digital Media & Society. London, Sage.
- Miller, T. & Kraidy, Marwan M 2016. Global media studies, Malden, Massachusetts, Polity
- Pavlik, John P. and McIntosh, Shawn 2011, Converging Media: a New Introduction to Mass Communication, 2nd ed., New York: Oxford University Press [US text]
- Turow, Joseph 2011, Media Today, 4th ed., New York: Routledge [US text; Barr Smith only has 3rd ed.]
Online Learning
This course makes extensive use of MyUni and some external websites. All assignments are submitted via MyUni using a combination of PowerPoint, online tests, and TurnItIn. Students are encouraged to utilise the Microsoft Office package, free to download for all enrolled students via the University of Adelaide software catalogue. All course readings are linked directly from the MyUni site. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Concept Videos: Each week, there is approximately 1 hour of video content, split into 10-20 minute concept videos. These are made available at the beginning of each week via the course MyUni page. Students should watch all the week's videos prior to attending their on-campus tutorials and seminars, as knowledge of the material covered by the concept videos is assumed.
Seminars: These run on campus every two weeks during teaching time - please make note of the schedule at the beginning of semester. These are large group interactive sessions.
Tutorials: Weekly tutorials are held in a computer lab in order to facilitate students’ access to online resources and completion of learning activities.
Readings and other resources are provided via MyUni. Assignments and course participation involve a mixture of individual and collaborative work in class and online. Students should plan to attend all scheduled classes and engage with each week's readings and videos in order to do well in this course.
MDIA1002 Key Concepts in Media does not have a blended or hybrid mode - it is for on-campus students only. There are no alternative Zoom classes for the first semester course. If you are studying remotely or are unable to attend in-person tutorials on a weekly basis, please change your enrolment to MDIA1014OL Key Concepts in Media Studies Online in semester 2 - these two courses are interchangable in your study plan.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Concept videos - ~1hr per week x 12 weeks 12 hours per semester Tutorials - 1 hour per week x 10 weeks 10 hours per semester Seminars - 1 hour per week x 5 weeks 5 hours per semester 3 hours reading per week x 12 weeks 36 hours per semester Additional research and assignment preparation during semester 92 hours per semester TOTAL WORKLOAD 155 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Week-by-week course content is available on the MyUni site. As a survey course, Key Concepts in Media looks at a range of media concepts and technologies, including social media, journalism, trolling, celebrity, and identity.Specific Course Requirements
There are no specific course requirements. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Name Type Overall Value Workload Submission Mode Assignment 1 Multiple-choice test x2 Diagnostic 10%
x2Approximately 6-18 hours Online, via MyUni Assignment 2 Digital media analysis Online Project 30% 1200 words total (or equivalent)
(approx’ 18-24 hours work)Online, via MyUni Assignment 3 Essay Research assignment 40% 2000 words total, plus additional preparatory reading and research
(approx’ 72-80 hours work)Online, via TurnItIn on MyUni Assignment 4 Participation Engagement 10% Based on work completed throughout the semester Tutor Moderated Note - Students must attempt all written assessments, and attend 80% of tutorials, in order to be eligible to pass the course Assessment Detail
Multiple Choice Tests x 2: 10% each. These tests will be based on course readings, and will assess your understanding of the material covered in those readings. They will be available online through the MyUni website.
Digital media analysis: 30% equivalent to 1200 words. This asessment will be submitted through MyUni as a narrated powerpoint and will be an analysis of an app or website. The assignment will allow students to demonstrate their understanding and application of key course concepts.
Essay: 40% 2000-2500 words. This essay will be due at the end of semester and will be submitted through MyUni and Turnitin. Students answer to one of 5 questions that will be made available through the course guide and MyUni website. This assignment allows students to develop in depth understanding of an area of the course content that is of particular interest to them.
Participation: 10% Each student will be assessed on their participation in tutorials on a weekly basis. Participation will be graded on whether students have engaged with the readings and lecture materials for the week, as well as engagement with their peers during class discussions and activities. Attendance at tutorials is compulsory.Submission
Assignments are submitted via the MyUni course site. Feedback is provided through test responses, rubrics, comments in assignment text and in class.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
NOTE: Students who achieve an overall course mark of between 45% and 49% overall (i.e. a Fail mark within 5% of a Pass mark of 50%) will be offered an opportunity to resubmit a revised version of Assignment 3 (see above). The deadline for resubmission will be one week from notification of the overall course mark. The maximum overall course mark possible following resubmission will be 50%.Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
In response to student feedback, we regularly update course readings, in-class activities, and have made the following changes:- Continual revision of course topics, to ensure the course meets the objective of providing a broad introduction to media
- Revise the types and topics of written assessment,
- Provide detailed advice and feedback on assessment criteria and expectations,
- Refine online mini-lectures to make the most of online content delivery,
- Kept on doing what students have liked: practical activities in tutorials, enthusiastic staff, and diverse and engaging content
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
