Media and Communications Thesis Part 1 (MECM90029)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 18.75On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
The Media and Communications Thesis subject requires students to design and deliver a substantial research project. Students will select an object of study, read widely in the relevant area, consult an appropriate methodology, and tools for analysing and interpreting the data they gather from their sources. Enrolment in the thesis is across two consecutive semesters and students must enrol in the subject in each semester to ensure they are meeting the full 37.5 point requirement for the year-long subject.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Critically analyse and evaluate scholarly literature relevant to the chosen field of study.
- Identify gaps in existing research and formulate pertinent research questions or hypotheses.
- Design a robust research framework, including selecting appropriate methodologies and data collection and analysis techniques.
- Apply ethical principles in the conduct of research, ensuring integrity and rigour in the research process.
- Develop advanced academic writing skills, enabling the clear and effective presentation of research findings and arguments in a well-structured thesis.
- Discuss what making a significant and original contribution to the field of study through independent research involves.
Generic skills
Students who successfully complete this subject should be able to:
- Prepare and present ideas in both verbal and written mode, and in conformity to conventions of academic presentation
- Reflect on learning and take responsibility for organising personal study
- Participate in discussion and group activities and be sensitive to the participation of others.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into or selection of one of the following:
- MC-GMCOM Master of Global Media Communication
- Media and Communications specialisation (formal) in the GDA-ARTS Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced)
To be eligible to enrol in the minor thesis, all students must submit a 300 word thesis proposal on a relevant topic for approval by the course coordinator at least 2 weeks prior to the semester of enrolment in the thesis.
To be enrolled into the minor thesis, students must be in the final 100 points of their degree, with a weighted average mark of H2A (75%) across their previous 50 points of study (or equivalent) prior to enrolment in the thesis.
This subject is a capstone in the Master of Global Media Communication and Graduate Diploma in Arts (Advanced) - Media and Communications programs and is not available to Community Access Program (CAP), Inbound Exchange/Study Abroad or Incoming Cross-institutional students.
Corequisites
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARTS90032 | Research Principles & Practices Graduate |
Semester 1 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Early-Start) (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
Non-allowed subjects
MECM40017 Media & Communications Thesis
MECM90012 Media and Communications Thesis
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: 4 March 2025
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A thesis on an approved topic written over two consecutive semesters, due at the end of the second semester of enrolment.
| Due at the end of the second semester of enrolment | 100% |
| Hurdle requirement: 1. Completion to full draft of Literature review, methodology and, where required, submission of ethics application (5000-6000 words) | Due at the end of the first semester of enrolment | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 2. Attendance hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of supervision meetings in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
| Hurdle requirement: 3. Late Penalty and Assessment hurdle requirement: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at five per cent (5%) of the possible marks available for the assessment task per day or part thereof. All pieces of assessment must be submitted to pass the subject. Each submitted assessment must be complete, constitute a genuine attempt to address the requirements of the task and will not be accepted after 20 University business days from the original assessment due date without written approval. | Throughout the semester | N/A |
Additional details
Please note: This assessment statement applies to the entire enrolment across parts 1 and 2 of the subject (i.e. MECM90029 and MECM90030 together).
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Mark Davis Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 25 hours: regular, documented consultations over two semesters with the supervisor as arranged. Meetings should normally occur fortnightly and should be at least of half an hour duration. Total time commitment 510 hours Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025 Last self-enrol date 14 March 2025 Census date 31 March 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025 Assessment period ends 27 June 2025 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Coordinator Mark Davis Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Total 25 hours: regular, documented consultations over two semesters with the supervisor as arranged. Meetings should normally occur fortnightly and should be at least of half an hour duration. Total time commitment 510 hours Teaching period 28 July 2025 to 26 October 2025 Last self-enrol date 8 August 2025 Census date 1 September 2025 Last date to withdraw without fail 26 September 2025 Assessment period ends 21 November 2025 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
510 hours total - inclusive of two semesters (thesis Part 1 and Part 2)
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
This subject continues over two consecutive study periods, with students first enrolling in MECM90029 Media and Communications Thesis Part 1 and then subsequently enrolling in MECM90030 Media and Communications Thesis Part 2, for a total enrolment of 37.5 credit points. Students will receive an overall result for the subject following completion of the two-subject sequence.
Last updated: 4 March 2025
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
- I Volkmer (ed), The Handbook of Global Media Research, Wiley-Blackwel, 2012.
- C Lee, “Ch 14: Researching and Reporting”, Word Bytes, MUP, 2009.
- I Bertrand et al, Media Research Methods: Audiences, Institutions, Texts, Palgrave, 2005.
- D Deacon & M Pickering et al (eds), Researching Communications: A Practical Guide to Methods on Media and Cultural Analysis, Arnold, 1998.
- R D Wimmer et al, Mass Media Research: Introduction, Thomson, 2006.
- J Stokes, How to do Media & Cultural Studies, Sage, 2003.
- K B Jensen et al (eds), A Handbook of Qualitative Methodologies for Mass Communication Research, Routledge, 1991.
- S Jones (ed), Doing Internet Research: Critical Issues and Methods for Examining the Net, Sage, 1999.
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 4 March 2025