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Representation and Advocacy (MECM90016)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Email: d.nolan@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
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This subject addresses the challenges of representing and speaking on behalf of others in the context of communication programs dedicated to social justice and social inclusion. Civil society organisations, public policy initiatives, non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups face challenges different to those of both the news industries and the commercial sector. They must respond to news values, and they need to promote, but they are also devoted to telling often unpalatable truths in hostile or apathetic environments. At the same time, they have ethical obligations to their causes which make demands on their communications strategies in many respects more challenging than those of commerce and the public sector. This subject studies case histories of a variety of campaigns from the non-profit civil society sector, and addresses the different ways in which campaigns may be said to succeed or fail, for example economically, ethically, or in terms of effecting desired and undesired social change.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject should be able to:
- apply their knowledge of the politics of representation to advocacy media;
- recognise and explain the differing communication strategies available for advocacy;
- identify and critically engage with the distinctive ethical obligations associated with speaking on behalf of others; and
- demonstrate a capacity for critical thinking in relation to local and global processes of communication in the digital era.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will be able to :
- prepare and present their ideas in both verbal, written and where appropriate visual form, and in conformity to conventions of academic presentation;
- reflect on their own learning and take responsibility for organising personal study;
- participate in discussion and group activities and be sensitive to the participation of others; and
- combine ethical and strategic aspects of communication in an effective and professional manner.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- A 1,500-word detailed essay(25%), due during semester.
- A 3,500-word case study (75%), due at the end of the assessment period.
- Hurdle: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator David Nolan Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 24 hours: 1x1-hour lecture and 1x1-hour seminar, taught weekly. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Email: d.nolan@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
A subject reader will be available.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 3 November 2022