MDIA 4100 - Honours Advanced Media Theory

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

This course is designed to provide students with a range of advanced media theories, methodologies and research frameworks to carry out sophisticated research. It focuses on research theories relevant to the exploration of cultures and requires students to carry out activities that relate to contemporary media research and, where relevant, draw their major project dissertation or creative work closer to questions around research in the 21st Century. A major theme running through the course is the historical, cultural and social significance of the media as one of the most important contemporary topics debated in both academic research circles and the public sphere.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 4100
    Course Honours Advanced Media Theory
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 2 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites A Credit standard in undergraduate study, which is usually determined by a minimum requirement of 70% average in all Level II and Level III courses taken at undergraduate level.
    Incompatible MDIA 4001
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to relevant Honours program
    Course Description This course is designed to provide students with a range of advanced media theories, methodologies and research frameworks to carry out sophisticated research. It focuses on research theories relevant to the exploration of cultures and requires students to carry out activities that relate to contemporary media research and, where relevant, draw their major project dissertation or creative work closer to questions around research in the 21st Century. A major theme running through the course is the historical, cultural and social significance of the media as one of the most important contemporary topics debated in both academic research circles and the public sphere.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr John Budarick

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. To gain further familiarity with a range of theories, methodologies, procedures and approaches to research and creative work in media.
    2. To develop an understanding of professional and practical media research, with particular reference to the cultural uses and meanings created for, and by, different media.
    3. To develop strong practical skills in the use of contemporary research tools relevant to a range of fields and interests in a contemporary media environment.
    4. To polish writing and other communications skills by understanding, preparing and developing research-related documents relevant to high-level media research.
    5. To increase awareness of a range of contemporary topics, issues and policies related to both academic and professional perspectives of the media, with the capacity to develop advanced, nuanced responses to contemporary media concerns
    6. To utilise the course materials, topics and activities in enhancing the dissertation component of the course
    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

    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.

    1,2,3,4,5,6

    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.

    1,2,3,4,5,6

    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.

    2,3,4

    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.

    2,5,6

    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.

    1,2,3,4,5,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    There is no set text for this course. Readings will be provided at each weekly seminar for the following week.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is run as a weekly seminar using both lecture and reading-group styles. You will be expected to articulate ideas and problems to the class and to guide discussions where relevant.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A 2 hours weekly seminar will be held. Students are also expected to prepare for workshops by engaging with reading and other material provided.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Weekly workshops will be based on different theoretical topics.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    There are four assessments in this course, as follows:
    1. Summary Essay (1,000 words) 15%  CLO 1,2
    2. Short Essay (approx 2,500 words) 25% CLO 1,2,3,4
    3. Major Essay (approx 4,000 words) 50% CLO 1,2,3,4,5,6
    4. Seminar Participation Continuously assessed. 10%  CLO 1,5,6
    Assessment Detail
    Each assessment task will require the critical engagement with course material
    Submission
    Submissions via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
    GradeGrade reflects following criteria for allocation of gradeReported on Official Transcript
    Fail A mark between 1-49 F
    Third Class A mark between 50-59 3
    Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B
    Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A
    First Class A mark between 80-100 1
    Result Pending An interim result RP
    Continuing Continuing CN

    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.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • 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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • 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.