Course coordinator
Dr Andrea Alarcón
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Communication & Arts School
This course is designed to encourage you to examine and critically assess the relationship between the media and society. You will study how media and cultural industries shape our experience of the world. The course examines how media are used to represent the world and exercise power in society. Critical attention is given to the meaning-making, participatory and data-processing capacities of media.
Course requirements
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
COMU2233
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Andrea Alarcón
Tutor
Mr Hrishikesh Arvikar
Dr Adam Dodd
Miss Tahmina Haque
Ms Kiah Hawker
Dr Melanie Piper
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
Whilst every effort is made to place students in their preferred activity, it is not always possible for a student to be enrolled in their tutorial of choice. If you require assistance, please ensure that you email timetabling.commarts@enquire.uq.edu.au from your UQ student email with:
- Your name
- Your student ID
- The course code
- A list of three tutorial preferences (in order of preference)
- Reason for the change – e.g. timetable clash, elite athlete status, SAP
Teaching staff do not have access to change tutorials or help with timetables; all timetabling changes must be processed through the Timetabling Team.
Aims and outcomes
The course aims to provide you with an understanding of the role media play in society. Specific attention is given to how media are used to exercise power. You will critically examine media institutions, practices and technologies using significant theoretical perspectives from media, communication and cultural studies. You will learn to apply these theoretical concepts in constructing critical arguments. The course will also introduce you to academic research and writing. ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Describe the role media plays in society.
LO2.
Interpret how media institutions and technologies are used to exert control.
LO3.
Construct clear, evidence-based arguments.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiz |
Weekly Quizzes
|
20% |
Week 1 - Week 11
Quizzes will run in Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11 Each quiz opens on the Monday morning of that week at 8am, and must be completed by 4pm the following Monday. Once you begin, you will have 10 minutes to complete each quiz. You can only submit each quiz once. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection | Media Research Journal | 10% |
31/03/2025 4:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Role play/ Simulation | Audio Script | 30% 1000 words |
2/05/2025 4:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Representation and Power Essay | 40% 1500 words |
9/06/2025 4:00 pm |
Assessment details
Weekly Quizzes
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Quiz
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Week 1 - Week 11
Quizzes will run in Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 11
Each quiz opens on the Monday morning of that week at 8am, and must be completed by 4pm the following Monday. Once you begin, you will have 10 minutes to complete each quiz. You can only submit each quiz once.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
These are weekly online quizzes (via Blackboard) scheduled throughout the semester, designed to test your understanding of key ideas explored in the seminars and online course materials.
Each quiz is worth five marks. Your best four attempts will be added together to give you a mark out of 20. We encourage you to attempt as many as you can.
You are welcome to use your seminar and reading notes but you are not allowed to work with other students. These quizzes are tests of your own knowledge and understanding of material covered in each week of the course.
Further guidance about how to access and complete these quizzes is available in the Assessment folder on Blackboard. We will also discuss the quizzes in class.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Late submission
Late submission is not possible for this assessment.
Media Research Journal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Reflection
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
31/03/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02
Task description
This piece of assessment will develop and test your capacity to analyse your own use of media, helping you pay attention to the technical, symbolic, and social features of media technologies.
We will provide you with a detailed template and detailed instructions (via Blackboard and UQ Extend) for this task, and in seminars and tutorials we will explore and practice the "walkthrough" as a research method.
Your Media Research Journal then becomes the basis for the second stage of the Walkthrough Project: the Audio Script.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Audio Script
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- 30% 1000 words
- Due date
2/05/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Write a script for a short audio story that critically reflects on your media use, based on the findings of your Media Research Journal. The script will need to consider your media use in relation to key concepts and arguments in the seminars, online materials, and readings for the course.
Word limit: 1,000 words +/- 10%, not including the references list. To be eligible for a passing grade, you must cite at least one academic source. This can include the recommended course text (Carah and Louw, 2021). Other sources can be non-scholarly, such as news reports or feature articles. You must use APA style referencing and include at least two citations in total.
The assessment will be discussed in detail in seminars and tutorials. There is also extensive advice available on UQ Extend.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Representation and Power Essay
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 40% 1500 words
- Due date
9/06/2025 4:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
Write a 1,500-word (+/- 10%, not including the references list) essay in response to either of the two following questions:
- How does representation influence the meaning and legitimacy of Australia Day?
- How does representation influence the meaning and legitimacy of a national day of your choice? (For example, Independence Day in the United States.)
In answering this question, you should analyse at least three texts produced by one or more groups or individuals engaged in the debate over your chosen national holiday, considering how the texts are designed to either maintain or challenge social consensus. (These do not include academic essays.) You should further analyse how these representations reflect the individual's or group's capacity to exercise power in society, and how effectively that capacity has been used.
Specific advice will be given in seminars, tutorials, and online resources about how you should research, structure, and write your essay.
Your response should:
- Define key terms relevant to your case.
- Make a clear critical argument using appropriate primary texts and academic sources as evidence.
- Cite at least three academic sources
You must reference at least three different academic sources in order to achieve a passing grade. One source can include the recommended course text (Carah and Louw, 2021).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn.
TurnItIn Receipts:
Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using TurnItIn. Before submitting any assignments for this course you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Tutorial.
When you successfully submit your assessment to TurnItIn you will see text confirming your submission is complete, before being redirected to your Assignment inbox. On this page you can:
- View the name of the submitted file
- View date and time of the upload
- Resubmit your paper (if necessary)
- Download your submitted paper
- Download digital receipt.
If you cannot see your submission in your Assignment inbox you should regard your submission as unsuccessful. Students are responsible for retaining evidence of submission by the due date for all assessment items, in the required form (e.g. screenshot, email, photo, and an unaltered copy of submitted work).
If the submission was not successful:
- Note the error message (preferably take a screenshot).
- Go to your assignment page and see if it is possible to submit again.
- If you cannot submit again email your course coordinator immediately with the assignment attached.
Please visit this webpage for further advice on how to submit your TurnItIn assignment.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0 - 24 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 25 - 44 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45 - 49 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes |
| 4 (Pass) | 50 - 64 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65 - 74 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75 - 84 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85 - 100 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. |
Additional course grading information
- Where fractional marks occur in the calculation of the final grade, a mark of x.5% or greater will be rounded up to (x+1)%. A percentage mark of less than x.5% will be rounded down to x%.
- Where no assessable work is received, a Grade of X will apply. ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
- Further information regarding the assessment, including marking criteria and/or marking rubrics are available in the ‘Assessment’ folder in Blackboard for this course.
- Marks Cannot Be Changed After Being Released: Marks are not open to negotiation with course staff. If you wish to discuss the feedback you have received, you should make an appointment to speak with the Course Coordinator.
- Assessment Re-mark: If you are considering an Assessment Re-mark, please follow the link to important information you should consider before submitting a request.
- Integrity Pledge: Assignments for this course will be submitted electronically via Blackboard and using Turnitin. Before submitting any assignments for this course, you must ensure you have completed UQ's compulsory online Academic Integrity Modules.ﾠIn uploading an assignment via Turnitin you are certifying that it is your original work, that it has not been copied in whole or part from another person or source except where this is properly acknowledged, and that it has not in whole or part been previously submitted for assessment in any other course at this or any other university.
- Withholding marks prior to finalisation of grades: Per UQ Assessment Procedures – Release of Assessment Item Marks and Grades: The final assessment item and the marks for the assessment item are to be released only after the final grade for the course has been released.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 1 Seminar: Making and Storing Meaning Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 1: NO TUTORIALS Tutorials start Week 2 |
|
Week 2 (03 Mar - 09 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 2 Seminar: The Evolution of Media Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 2 Tutorial: New and Old Media Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
|
Week 3 (10 Mar - 16 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 3 Seminar: The Industrialisation of Meaning-Making Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 3 Tutorial: Walkthrough Project Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 4 (17 Mar - 23 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 4 Seminar: Media Platforms Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 4 Tutorial: Walkthrough Project Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Seminar |
Week 5 Seminar: Audience Labour Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 5 Tutorial: Walkthrough Project Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 6 (31 Mar - 06 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 6 Seminar: Participatory and Algorithmic Culture Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 6 Tutorial: Audio Scripting Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 7 (07 Apr - 13 Apr) |
Seminar |
Week 7 Seminar: Participatory and Algorithmic Culture Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 7 Tutorial: Audio Scripting Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 8 (14 Apr - 20 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 8: NO SEMINARS OR TUTORIALS |
Mid-sem break (21 Apr - 27 Apr) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
MID-SEMESTER BREAK |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Seminar |
Week 9 Seminar: Encoding/Decoding Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 9 Tutorial: Audio Scripting Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 10 (05 May - 11 May) |
No student involvement (Breaks, information) |
Week 10: NO SEMINARS OR TUTORIALS Learning outcomes: L01, L02 |
Week 11 (12 May - 18 May) |
Seminar |
Week 11 Seminar: Representation and Power Learning outcomes: L02 |
Tutorial |
Week 11 Tutorial: Academic Research for the Essay Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 12 (19 May - 25 May) |
Seminar |
Week 12 Seminar: Essay-Writing Workshop Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Tutorial |
Week 12 Tutorial: Developing the Essay Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Seminar |
Week 13: NO SEMINARS |
Tutorial |
Week 13 Tutorial: Essay Consultation Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
Course guidelines
Communication Expectations
While you are a student at UQ, all communication must be conducted according to the UQ Student Code of Conduct. The UQ Library has a helpful Communicate and collaborate online module.
- Email is the primary way for you to send messages to, and receive information from, the School and our staff.
- You must use your UQ email address (not a private address) to communicate with staff.
- You should add a clear subject line, including course code, and a 2-3 word statement.
- You can send email at any time, however please do not expect responses outside normal working hours (Monday to Friday from ~8am to ~5pm).
- Emails that constitute bullying, harassment or discrimination against staff contravene the Student Code of Conduct. Emails like this will be reported to the University, and the matter will be pursued as misconduct.