COMS101-10S1 (C) Semester One 2010

Introduction to Media and Communication

18 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 22 February 2010
End Date: Sunday, 27 June 2010
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 7 March 2010
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 23 May 2010

Description

This course provides an introductory guide to current debates in mass communication and media studies and to the thinking and research that communications researchers and critics have brought to bear on them. This is an introductory paper that does not assume any prior knowledge.

COMS101 is an 18 point paper providing students with an understanding of mass communication as a specialised field of study. It introduces the major concepts and theoretical approaches that are used to examine issues in communications and media and lays the foundation for further specialised studies.

COMS101 is a stage I course and does not assume any prior knowledge. It is taught through two lectures and a tutorial each week. You are expected to attend each of these classes, and doing so will ensure you get most from the course. Attendance will be taken in tutorials, and this will be a component of your final grade. Please respect your lecturers and fellow students by turning up on time to the classes and contributing as required.

Learning Outcomes

knowledge: you should be able to
recognise the critical agenda of media analysis
identify arguments for a free media and individual choice
produce arguments over media concentration and global ownership
identify the ownership of NZ media
identify the roles and practices of workers in the news media
define what is meant by the ideological role of media
describe how media construct versions of the real and have a role in producing identity and culture

skills: you should be able to
discuss the role of liberal ideals in shaping the media
discuss the link between media and democracy
explain impacts of ownership on media
discuss attempts to soften that power
interpret media content in terms of production dynamics
relate critical theories of society to media content
read media critically using semiotic and discursive theories

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Tutorial 10%
Essay 1 30 Mar 2010 25%
Essay 2 25 May 2010 25%
Final exam 40%

Textbooks / Resources

Required Texts

Devereux, Eoin; Understanding the media ; 2nd ed; SAGE, 2007.

Readings will be available in the Course Reader
Learn (Moodle)

Course links

Library portal

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $672.00

International fee $2,835.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All COMS101 Occurrences

  • COMS101-10S1 (C) Semester One 2010
Previous year Next year