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Media Writing: Rhetoric and Practice (MECM90017)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
Developed from at least the fifth century BCE onwards, the metalanguage of rhetoric (writing on writing, or discourse on discourse) is today inextricably imbricated in both practices and critiques of media language. This subject examines the highly controversial history of rhetoric, always already embedded in philosophy, as well as its competing definitions, and various appearances, influences, and even metamorphoses, in writing practices and in theories of communication from the time of Aristotle through to the age of electronic media. At the same time, the subject addresses current practices of media writing within national and global media spheres. It views these through the lens of the metalanguage of rhetoric, encouraging critical engagement with both media writing and rhetorical theory, and most importantly with students’ own writing practices.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject will:
- be able to recognise and explain how the metalanguage of rhetoric applies to 21 st century media writing;
- be able to demonstrate knowledge of the history of rhetoric and principles of philosophical rhetoric; and
- be able to utilise their theoretical knowledge of rhetoric to reflect on their own media writing practices.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject will:
- be able to demonstrate a high level of written communication skills, including conformity to academic protocols of presentation and research;
- be abe to demonstrate a high level of competence in reading, synthesizing, and presenting to others the relevant theoretical material; and
- be able to design and conduct original research that includes reflection on their own learning.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A seminar paper
| From Week 2 to Week 12 | 20% |
An original piece of appropriately-targeted media writing
| Week 12 | 20% |
A final assignment, including a reflective theoretical essay of 1,500 words and a 1,000 word opinion piece
| During the examination period | 60% |
Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Sonja Molnar Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 36 hours: 1x1-hour lecture and 1x2-hour seminar, taught weekly Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
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:
Type Name Course Master of Creative Writing, Publishing and Editing - Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022