Approaches to Media Research

Subject MECM20011 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 2 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: A 1.5-hour lecture and a 1-hour tutorial per week.
Total Time Commitment:

Total expected time commitment is 170-hours across the semester, including class time.

Prerequisites:

None

Corequisites:

None

Recommended Background Knowledge:

None

Non Allowed Subjects:

100-204 Media and Communications Research; MECM20001 Media and Communications Research; MECM30014 Media and Communications Research.

Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Mr Matthew Sini

Contact

matthew.sini@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Research is a vital activity of media professionals and academics. This subject offers a critical introduction to the traditions, approaches and methods used to conduct research into media industries, texts, audiences and platforms. This subject is designed to introduce students to major approaches to media and communications research at an intermediate level. It covers approaches drawn from both humanities and social sciences, including approaches to the analysis of media texts, investigating media audiences, media engagement and media use. Students completing this subject will gain a deeper understanding of a range of different theoretical perspectives on media, and the way in which these are connected to different heuristic and methodological approaches to investigation and research. To this end, the subject draws on a variety of case studies and applications which students will be invited to critically consider. On completing this subject, students will have developed an understanding of different perspectives on and approaches to investigating media, as a basis upon which they can go on to design and undertake their own research projects.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of the subject students should have:

  • the ability to understand a variety of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches, and the relationships and differences between them, that are relevant to the study of media and communications;
  • the ability to compare and contrast different approaches, recognising their different emphases, strengths and weaknesses;
  • the ability to identify how different approaches can be applied to the investigation of particular problems, as a grounds for pursuing their own research;
  • the ability to critically engage with media texts using scholarly methods and reflect on one’s own practices.
Assessment:

A 1500 word media analysis 1500 40% (due mid-semester), a 2500 word research essay 60% (due in the examination period).

This subject has a minimum hurdle requirement of 80% attendance and regular participation in tutorials. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

Prescribed Texts:

A Subject Reader will be available.

Breadth Options:

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

Students successfully completing this subject will:

  • be able to demonstrate competence in reading relevant academic literature and in reflecting critically on that body of literature;
  • be able to demonstrate conformity to appropriate forms of written presentation in academic work;
  • be able to demonstrate a general awareness of the role of theory in understanding social life.
Notes:

This subject is also available to students enrolled in the BA (Media and Communications), BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Commerce, and BA (Media and Communications)/Bachelor of Laws. Formerly available as 100-204 Media and Communications Theory, MECM20001 Media and Communications Research and MECM30014 Media and Communications Research. Students who have completed 100-204 Media and Communications Theory, MECM20001 Media and Communications Research or MECM30014 Media and Communications Research are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Graduate Certificate in Arts - Media and Communications
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Media and Communications
Media and Communications

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