Introduction to Media Studies

Unit code: MDA10001
Duration: 1 Teaching Period
Contact hours: Recommended 8 hours of study per week

About this unit

This unit aims to introduce students to textual analysis and cultural and social theories that include semiotics, language, narrative, discourse, and ideology by considering the way information is represented in the mass media. This enables students to acquire an understanding of media’s significant contribution to the formation of social and cultural attitudes. Students will also be introduced to some of the issues surrounding media ownership and production in Australia.

Content

• What are media?
• Media texts
• Audiences and representation
• Representing the refugees
• The public sphere and the Fourth Estate
• Ideology: reporting war and terrorism
• Television and reality
• Media industries
• Media spectacles
• Celebrating culture
• Post modernity
• Convergence

This unit is found in Bachelor of Media and Communication with a Major in Media Studies.
This unit is found in Bachelor of Media and Communication with a Major in Public Relations.
This unit is found in Bachelor of Media and Communication with a Major in Advertising.