MDIA 4100 - Honours Advanced Media Theory

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

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.

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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
Assessment	1000 word summary essay (15%), 2500 word short essay (25%), 4000 word major essay (50%), seminar participation (10%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Peter Pugsley

Course Timetable

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

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)
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
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	1,2,3,4,5,6
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	1,2,3,4,5,6
Career and leadership readiness technology savvy professional and, where relevant, fully accredited forward thinking and well informed tested and validated by work based experiences	2,3,4
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	2,5,6
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	1,2,3,4,5,6

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

No information currently available.

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

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 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

No information currently available.

Submission

Submissions via Canvas.

Course Grading

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

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported 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
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