MDIA 3207 - Media Industry Transitions

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2022

This course prepares students for the transition from undergraduate degree to professional employment and/or further study. Students choose one of two pathways. Pathway A involves a self-organised industry placement of 100 hours, and an opportunity to gain experience in a media industry sector by working with a supervisor in an internal or external host organisation. All placement paperwork must be completed and signed off prior to commencement. Pathway B allows students to design and undertake a self-directed desktop research project using public domain materials and focusing on an industry-relevant research question. The project can be a standalone piece of desktop research, or can be designed as a preliminary study for future research. Through industry and peer-to-peer networking activities, supported by a seminar program, Media Industry Transitions provides opportunities for students to put into practice and extend what they have learned throughout their degree.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MDIA 3207
    Course Media Industry Transitions
    Coordinating Unit Media
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites MDIA 2302 or MDIA 2306
    Incompatible MDIA 3332
    Restrictions Available to BMedia students only
    Course Description This course prepares students for the transition from undergraduate degree to professional employment and/or further study. Students choose one of two pathways. Pathway A involves a self-organised industry placement of 100 hours, and an opportunity to gain experience in a media industry sector by working with a supervisor in an internal or external host organisation. All placement paperwork must be completed and signed off prior to commencement. Pathway B allows students to design and undertake a self-directed desktop research project using public domain materials and focusing on an industry-relevant research question. The project can be a standalone piece of desktop research, or can be designed as a preliminary study for future research. Through industry and peer-to-peer networking activities, supported by a seminar program, Media Industry Transitions provides opportunities for students to put into practice and extend what they have learned throughout their degree.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Kathryn Bowd

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion on this course, you will be able to:
    1. Apply work integrated learning principles or research training to engage with contemporary industry-related challenges and employment opportunities in the media and communications sector.
    2. Use appropriately targeted research and/or communication strategies for seeking future employment in the media and communications sector.
    3. Communicate professionally in a range of genres used in the media and communications sector, including preparing reports to a professional standard.
    4. Reflect on, critically assess, consolidate and synthesise academic and industry research and training.Form personalised learning objectives for ongoing professional development.
    5. If choosing the Placement option: Manage personal contact with external bodies professionally, and handle work-related documents efficiently.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
    8. 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)

    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, 3, 4

    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, 4, 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.

    1, 2, 3, 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.

    1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

    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, 4, 8, 9

    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
  • 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), 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. A small number of remote students can be accommodated on Zoom in a synchronous session with the face-to-face workshop. 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

    No information currently available.

    Learning Activities Summary

    No information currently available.

    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.
  • 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
    Assessment tasks for all students:
    Reflective analysis (30%)
    Participation and professionalism (10%)

    Assessment tasks for placement students only:
    Host evaluation report (20%) - to be completed by placement host.
    Final report (40%)

    Assessment tasks for research project students only:
    Research planning presentation (20%)
    Research report (40%)
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment details will be available through MyUni.
    Submission
    Written assignments must be submitted through MyUni.
    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.

  • 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.