MDIA 3312 - Media Democracies and E-Participation
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2015
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MDIA 3312 Course Media Democracies and E-Participation 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 Prerequisites At least 12 units of level 1 undergraduate study Assessment Part 1: research and e-activities (equivalent of 1500 words) 50%, Part 2: student contributions to presentations and public for a (equivalent of 2000 words) 50% Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Mary Griffiths
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
After successfully completing this course, students will :
1) display a strong understanding of the connections between media and political culture in Australian democracy
2) understand and be able to evaluate the factors involved in information flows in a public debate, and the issues of power and exclusion;
3) possess a sound grasp of the influence of mainstream, advocacy and citizen journalism in diverse forms of communication;
4) understand, and be able experience through the eSIM, the personal, professional, political and ethical pressures exerted during a mediated moral panic
5) be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of the machinery of government, the role of the public and parliamentary services, and the current forms of media engagement and policy consultation with citizens;
6) possess an excellent theoretical and practical knowledge of the forms of mediatization, e-participation, and of e-democracy trends through simulated learning;
7) be able to demonstrate improved skills in argumentation to a professional standard, through writing selected forms of political genres, such as biography, press releases, reportage, news, speeches, opinion, commentary, and social media texts;
8) possess developed investigative research, professional presentation, and rhetorical skills; and
9) possess a working knowledge of journalists’ and other professional codes of conduct.
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) Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1- 9 The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 2-8 An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 2, 3, 4,6 Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 2,4,7,8 A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 3, 4, 6 A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 4, 5,7,8 A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 4,5,6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Readings will be available online in MyUni.
Online resources will be added to the repository as necessary.Recommended Resources
Daily reading of national and international news sources.Online Learning
This is a blended learning course.
Part 1 uses MyUni to establish the framework of the course. All course material and announcements are posted there. Regular checking of MyUni is required.
Part 2, the roleplay scenario, requires both class attendance, as well as online participation in the Digital Information Flows eSIM. -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Lectures, flipped lectures, simulated press conferences, tutorials and online activities. Full participation in the authentic learning that this course offers is key to achieving the learning objectives.
The Digital Information Flows Scenario (DIFS) is fictional, students help co-create it, and its events are triggered by a moral panic chosen from contemporary examples in Australian public life.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
3 class contact hours.
'Live Event' attendance (timed for the Part 2 lecture periods) is essential.Learning Activities Summary
Media represents, anchors and changes power relations in the world of public affairs. The course provides the knowledge and skills to allow you to participate more fully, through practical exercises.
These include – depending on your DIFS E-SIM role – the organisational, written and oral communication tasks frequently encountered by a government official, activist, stakeholder, press officer, political reporter, media communications officer, concerned citizen, or citizen journalist. It prepares students for media citizenship, consumption and future employment, by developing and synthesising theoretical, ethical and practical perspectives.
Through the theoretical frameworks and the E-SIM role-play, students experience the ways that information ‘flows’ and can be blocked. Importantly, the course scopes the opportunities and challenges offered by new technologies, and analyses the impact of the emerging participatory practices of citizens and influential groups.
Specific Course Requirements
Students are required to attend and participate, particularly online and in Part 2 Live Events.Small Group Discovery Experience
The E-SIM, Digital Information Flows Scenario, gives students the opportunity to work in small advocacy groups to co-create public events. The groups are networked across the E-SIM, but individuated in terms of objectives, practices, and organisational hierarchies: they can be, for example, political parties, newspapers, civil society activists, agencies, or NGOs. All groups receive specific tuition and mentoring on their roles and activities from the Course Coordinator. -
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
Part 1 assesses the student's deveopment of persuasive communication strategies and techniques, through analysis, praxis and participation (Portfolio 1, 50%)
Part 2 requires evidence of the student's participation, design input and contribution to the implementation of a campaign strategy. Participation online and in Live Events, and the individual and group texts produced in public campaigns, are assessable components (Portfolio 2, 50%)Assessment Related Requirements
Students must be able to attend planning, trigger and 'Live Event' lecture periods, as well as regularly access MyUni.Assessment Detail
Research, writing, organisational, and presentation activities.Submission
Assignments may be submitted online and through the Humanities School Office, Level 7, Napier Buliding, as required by the instructions posted on the course MyUni website.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.
SELTS are conducted.
A regular feedback channel is provided through a blog on the course website on MyUni. -
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
Regular consultation hours are published on the course website on MyUni. -
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.
