Course Summary

Media

The three core subjects of this course should prepare me for a rigourous three years of study. Media Theory provides the theoretical framework for analysing and understanding forms of media. Critical Histories of the Image examines the past century of media and the movements and trends that have grown to transform the very society that we live in. Introduction to Media – Digital Revolutions presents the more practical aspects of the current state of play of the Media Revolution that we are now participants of.

Introduction to Media – Digital Revolutions
Production, performance, distribution, reception and uses of media. Importance of digital techniques for Australians. What is our global information and media profile? Terms, concepts and theories of participatory and digital media – What is new? New media. The impacts (positive and negative) of user interactivity and digitally sponsored collective intelligence on social media practices, media businesses, the practice of democratic politics, new forms of art and information content. Describe, analyse and theorise new media texts and practices. Develop creatively used skills in digital media forms, platforms and environments. Develop research, written and oral communication skills appropriate to the discipline and to interdisciplinary university study. Develop a professional portfolio as a resource to further study.

Develop tools to understand – conceptual, analytical and cognitive skills – production and understanding of interactive media practice. What is a stake in technology and media change? New media formations and cultures, globally. Impact of technologies on daily life. Education as mediated social formation. Professional, ethical and cultural policy issues, in relation to media. Ability to work individually and in small groups.
Critical Histories of the image
History of media forms responsible for producing and transforming predominant images of reality. Graphical traditions – print media, photography and cinema. Historical and conceptual perspectives – innovations in technologies of representation from 19th to 20th century, modernisation in Western culture. Adoption of representational practices transformed understandings of reality and the everyday. Impact of modernist culture, artistic responses to new technologies of photographic, cinematic and related image production in documentary, photojournalism and other representation media. Connections to contemporary understanding and questioning of mainstream media to represent reality.

Develop – ethically grounded knowledge of communications media, working knowledge of histories, theories and frameworks to analyse and understand media. Proficiency in use of new media technologies and associated practices. High level if research, written and oral communication skills. Familiarity with concepts of media participation, users and audiences. How political economy shapes the media. Media ownership and its implications. Media governance and policy. Media industries and institutions. Effects of globalisation on media industries, cultures and content. Analysis of future media issues.

Media Theory
This course examines the different traditions within media theory through the work of key thinkers who have from the 19th century to the digital present influenced the ways that media has been and is theorised. It investigates the social and cultural processes implicated in the production, distribution and consumption of media forms, through historical and political economy approaches