MDIA 3207 - Media Industry Transitions
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2020
This course prepares you for the transition from your undergraduate degree to professional employment and/or further study. You will choose one of two pathways.
Pathway A involves a self-organised industry placement of 10-12 days. You will gain direct experience in your chosen industry by working with a supervisor in an internal or external host organisation. All placements must be approved prior to commencement.
Pathway B allows you to design and undertake a self-directed, desktop research project using public domain materials. You will identify an industry-relevant research question in your chosen area of industry interest. Your project can be designed as a preliminary study for future research.
Through industry and peer-to-peer networking activities, Media Industry Transitions gives you the opportunity to put into practice what you have learned throughout your degree. You will contribute to your ongoing professional development through enhanced understanding of contemporary industry trends and workplace cultures, time-management and negotiation skills, legal and contractual obligations, research and communication strategies for employment, and professional profile and presentation techniques.
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 3207 Course Media Industry Transitions Coordinating Unit Media Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 6 Contact Up to 3 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites At least 9 units of Level I Media study, and at least 9 units from MDIA 2301, MDIA 2302, MDIA 2306, MDIA 3310 Incompatible MDIA 3332 Restrictions Available to BMedia students only Assessment Reflective analysis 30%, Host evaluation report or group presentation 20%, Final report 40%, Participation & professionalism 10% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Catherine Son
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
You will need to attend five core workshops (Week 1-4 and Week 12), plus two additional workshops in Weeks 5 and 6 focused on your specific pathway (Placement or Research Project). -
Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion on this course, you will be able to:- Apply work integrated learning principles or research training to engage with contemporary industry-related challenges and employment opportunities in the media and communications sector.
- Use appropriately targeted research and/or communication strategies for seeking future employment in the media and communications sector.
- Communicate professionally in a range of genres used in the media and communications sector, including preparing reports to a professional standard.
- Reflect on, critically assess, consolidate and synthesise academic and industry research and training.Form personalised learning objectives for ongoing professional development.
- If choosing the Placement option: Manage personal contact with external bodies professionally, and handle work-related documents efficiently.
- If choosing the Research Project: Locate and evaluate secondary sources to identify and address industry research questions, and assess the limitations of secondary research when conducting industry research.
- If choosing the Placement option: Contribute ethically, meaningfully and professionally in the workplace, both individually and as part of a team. Build appropriate relationships with supervisors, co-workers and external groups, including clients.
- If choosing the Research Project: Design and conduct an ethically- and methodologically-sound desktop research study on a relevant industry issue.
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) Deep discipline knowledge
- informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
- acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
- accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
1, 3, 4 Critical thinking and problem solving
- steeped in research methods and rigor
- based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
- demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
1, 2, 4, 7 Teamwork and communication skills
- developed from, with, and via the SGDE
- honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
- encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
1, 2, 3, 8 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Intercultural and ethical competency
- adept at operating in other cultures
- comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
- able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
- demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
1, 2, 4, 8, 9 Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
- open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
- able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
1, 2, 3, 4, 5 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
There is no textbook or course reader for this course. To successfully complete this course, you will need access to the MyUni course site, and to the other required and recommended resources on MyUni.
If undertaking the Placement option: you must not commence your placement until all required forms and paperwork have been completed and approved by the Faculty of Arts Internships office and the Course Coordinator.Online Learning
This course uses MyUni for course materials, online discussions, assignment advice, and other resources. All written assignments are submitted via MyUni. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course is taught via a combination of 2-hour face-to-face workshops (Weeks 1-4, 5-6 and 12), online discussions, face-to-face consultations, and self-directed learning. Successful engagement in this course requires your attendance at workshops; due to their interactive nature, workshop content will not be recorded. Powerpoint slides and other documents will be provided on MyUni.
These approaches are designed to equip you with professional skills and confidence you need as you transition from your undergraduate studies to employment and/or further study. You will engage reflexively with your learning, synthesise academic and professional knowledge, and replicate business communication practices. Your learning in workshops will be supported by in-class peer activities, guest lectures, online content, and research training seminars. You will also receive academic support through online discussion and face-to-face consultations.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
STRUCTURED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS 1 x 2-hour workshop per week over 7 weeks 14 hours per semester 1 hour online activity (or equivalent) per week over 8 weeks 8 hours per semester 4 hours research and preparation per week over 6 weeks 24 hours per semester SELF DIRECTED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS If undertaking the Research Project option:
10 hours reading and research per week120 hours per semester If undertaking the Placement option:
70-84 hours on placement (equiv. 10-12 days), plus up to 36 hours to research and arrange placement (inc. contact with potential hosts)7 hours research and self-directed learning per week, inc. reflection, goal-setting, and revision of prior learning 86 hours per semester 5 hours assignment preparation each week 60 hours per semester TOTAL WORKLOAD 312 hours per semester Learning Activities Summary
Week Topic 1 Introduction: Planning your Placement or Research Project 2 Maximising Your Employability 3 The Contemporary Media Industry 4 Future Jobs 5 Placement option: Getting the Most out of Your Placement
Research Project option: Effective Research Design6 Placement option: Finishing and Reflecting on Your Placement
Research Project option: Research Proposals and Presentations7-11 Self-Directed Learning 12 Conclusion Specific Course Requirements
If undertaking the placement option: you will be required to complete relevant paperwork and secure formal approval before commencing your placement.
Please note that some organisations have their own application deadlines and approvals processes, which you may also need to follow. Some organisations, such as government agencies and community organisations, may require a police check or similar prior to the commencement of a placement; if so, this will be undertaken at the student's own expense.Small Group Discovery Experience
This course combines industry and peer mentoring, small group activities, and self-directed learning.
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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
If undertaking the Placement option:
If undertaking the Research Project option:Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcome/s Reflective analysis 30% 1, 3, 4, 5 Host evaluation report 20% 1, 6, 8 Participation and professionalism 10% 1, 2, 6 Final report 40% 1-9
Due to the current COVID-19 situation modified arrangements have been made to assessments to facilitate remote learning and teaching. Assessment details provided here reflect recent updates.Assessment Task Weighting Learning Outcome/s Reflective analysis 30% 1, 3, 4, 5 Presentation 20% 1, 3, 4, 7, 9 Participation and professionalism 10% 1, 2 Final report 40% 1-9
Project students will now record and submit their Research Findings Presentation assignment online via MyUni. Due to many students unexpectedly having to change from placements to projects students have been granted a universal extension on this assignment. The Research Findings Presentation assignment is now due on Monday 13 April at 11:59pm.Assessment Related Requirements
This course is designed to assist you to manage the transition from your undergraduate studies to employment and further study. You will need to take responsibility for your learning in this course and, as applicable, will be expected to be self-directed in securing and managing your Placement (including ensuring at all required paperwork, including the Host Evaluation Report, is submitted in a timely manner) and in designing and managing your Research Project.Assessment Detail
Task Details Reflective analysis 2000-word reflection on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing your industry sector Host evaluation report (For those undertaking the Placement option). Your placement supervisor will evaluate your performance on placement, using a template that you will provide. To be submitted within 7 days of completing your placement. Research presentation (For those undertaking the Research Project option). A 5-minute presentation outlining your proposed research. Final report If undertaking the Placement option: A 4000-word report synthesising your learnings from your Placement.
If undertaking the Research Project option: A 5000-word report presenting the results of your research project.Participation and professionalism Assesses your active participation and engagement in the course, as well as your professionalism when dealing with course regulations and requirements.
Further details and advice on assessment tasks is provided on the MyUni course site.
Submission
Most assignments will be submitted via the course's MyUni site. There will be some exceptions (such as the Host Evaluation Report for Placement students) that will need to be emailed directly by the host supervisor; details will be provided in class and on MyUni.
Feedback will be provided in the form of rubrics, comments on assignments, peer feedback, in class and one-on-one consultations, and (in the case of Placement students) via workplace learning.
Marked assignments will be returned within 3 weeks of submission. This course follows the Faculty of Arts' policies concerning extensions, late submisson of assignments, and lateness penalties.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.
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.
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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.
