MDIA 3311 - Media Industry Placement

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

This elective course offers BMedia students a work-integrated learning program, and an internship in their choice of host organisation. Highly recommended for those who wish to enter the sector directly after completion of undergraduate studies, it aims to develop in students a synthesis of theoretical knowledge of media, with the learning acquired through workplace experience of the practical operations in media and communications. The course is a preparation for future work or study in that it combines: a 'virtual employment search' with preparatory seminars on employer expectations; an overview of the media sector; an introduction to diverse workplace cultures; development of peer support and sector networking; and the practice of a range of in situ and post-internship reporting modes. During the guided search for industry experience, each intern undertakes a preliminary skills' self-audit, followed by research on the sector, the handling of contractual university and workplace documentation, and the development of personalized learning objectives. The convenor's signature on the university contract authenticates the placement agreement between host, student and the university. On placement students are expected to be involved in meaningful work for their host organization, and gain practical experience of media employment typical of the sector, and valuable for work-readiness or postgraduate work. Course credit cannot be given for work experience undertaken outside of course regulations.

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Course Details

Course Code	MDIA 3311
Course	Media Industry Placement
Coordinating Unit	Media
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Students enrolling for semester 1 or 2 will be required to attend some on-campus classes - details confirmed during information session in Week 1
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	Y
Prerequisites	12 units Advanced Level Media
Incompatible	MDIA 3302
Restrictions	Available to BMedia students only
Assessment	Academic Assessment 30%, Confidential Host Evaluation 30%, Final Report & compilation of evidence of work-integrated learning 40%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Matthew McKinlay

Please note:

All enquiries should go through the Course Coordinator, A/Professor Mary Griffiths.

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

On the successful completion of this course, the student will have the cognitive and communication skills to :

1. prepare and present documents demonstrating a professional profile to prospective industry hosts and employers;
2. conduct appropriate research into employment paths in the media and communications sector;
3. build an appropriate learning relationship with the industry host;
4. work successfully to instruction with industry professionals in industry environments and cultures;
5. adapt and contribute successfully and professionally to workplace teams;
6. self-assess workplace learning in all forms of reporting required;
7. manage appropriately the legal and administrative documentation required;
8. analyse, consolidate and synthesise academic and industry knowledge of media;
9. give peer support and maintain industry networks
10. prepare a Final Report to publishable, professional standards.

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)	1,2,7
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	1,2,5,8
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	1,3,5, 6, 7
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 - 10
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	5, 9, 10
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	3, 4, 10

Learning Resources

Required Resources

The Work-Integrated-Learning course requires each students to utilise existing research and academic skills to find potential host organisations, and gain a placement.

All required resources will be provided via MyUni, according to individual and group needs.

Recommended Resources

Lists of recommended online resources will be published in the course documentation on MyUni.

Online Learning

MyUni is the central information repository of all course information, placement documents, industry announcements and online peer networking.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

Integrated Teaching and Learning modes:
The course components have been developed to be an integrated learning experience, with direct reference to contemporary media and communications' research and industry practices. The course therefore combines a series of integrated on-campus/ off-campus, blended, peer group, and individualised modes of learning. The host organisation is identified and chosen by the student, and therefore placements differ according to the business conducted.

On campus:
The significant requirements of this Work-Integrated Learning course include attendance at an Induction seminar ; active participation in at least four 1 hour seminars; the setting of three personalised learning objectives appropriate for each student's career readiness which will be developed with the support of academic staff; and attendance at an individual or SGDE peer group debriefing. On-line work may be required to support peer learning and peer networking.

Off-campus preparation:
The off-campus time (i.e. pre-placement) is dedicated to industry-sector research in order to identify placement opportunities; to approach an appropriate host organisation to negotiate a placement offer; and to experience the management of contractual obligations. This period will differ from student to student. Research support and advice is available from a Media academic at all stages of the placement, by email and in person.

In the workplace:
10-12 days at a host organisation in the sector are required. The work may be flexibly distributed over one semester, by negotiation between the student, host and Course Coordinator.

Host organisations have included news and entertainment (broadcast and internet channels); the print sector; all forms of radio (community, public and commercial); digital creative and events and marketing agencies. Past students have found placements in government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and the media and communications arms of political, scientific, community, sporting and heritage organisations.

Work-Integrated Learning: a Synthesis
When analysed, synthesised and deployed in written work or peer networking activities, the on campus and off-campus learning components offer an integrated SGDE experience, of particular use to graduating students who are either seeking employment or considering future studies.

Workload

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

The equivalent of 3 hours class time weekly, and up to 9 hours weekly in related activities.

10-12 days on placement. These can be flexibly designed.

Learning Activities Summary

Media Industry Placement is a Work-Integrated-Learning (WIL) course. It prepares students for post-graduation employment searches. The university and host organisations in the media and communications and public sector together provide students with an opportunity to synthesise academic knowledge with the practice of authentic media-related activities in the workplace.Students find their own placement by developing their industry-sector research, presentation and writing skills. In the compulsory seminars, they develop a professional profile, a peer network, and job-seeking capacities.

Once on the 10-12 day placement, students gain first-hand experience of working with media practitioners, develop practical skills in a media industry workplace, and build professional networks.We ask students to apply the theoretical frameworks developed during the media degree to the undertaking, analysis and interpretation of real-world media practices. It is important to keep these aspects of the course in mind. It is not just a chance to gain practical skills or to improve employment prospects, but a time to synthesis and add depth to the knowledge gained in the BMedia program.

Specific Course Requirements

Students should be able to make the required arrangements for a 10-12 placement with a host organisation by Week 5 of semester. It can be flexibly organised and should not interefere with their other study responsibilities.

Small Group Discovery Experience

All seminars will begin with peer networking groups. Peer support sessions operate regularly during semester.

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

There are three components:

a) Academic: Pre-placement and in situ assessment, based on the student's demonstration of research on the sector; the preparation of a professional profile; the meeting of multiple contractual and reporting requirements; and evidence of giving peer support: 30%

b) Confidential Host Evaluation : 30%

c) Final Report and Appendices: 40%

Assessment Related Requirements

1. Students are required not to begin searching for an industry placement until they have attended an Induction Seminar for 2016.

2. "Letters of Invitation" to hosts need to be the 2016 version.

3. No placement should begin before the 2016 Insurance Guide has been completed and signed by the student, the industry host and Course Coordinator.

4. Satisfactory Day 4 and Day 8 work logs should be submitted by email to the Course Coordinator.

5. The Host is offered the option of submitting the student's evaluation form confidentially.

Assessment Detail

Professional documentation, presentation exercises and multiple forms of reporting

Submission

Details will be advised at the Induction seminar in week 1 and on the 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.

SELTS are conducted. The Final Report has a feedback section.
Student Support
In addition to the university's range of support services, the Course Coordinator offers career advice throughout semester; and mentoring, following the debriefing session, upon request.
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
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.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator