Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

This unit provides you with a conceptual understanding of media audiences within industry and academic contexts. In addition, the unit introduces you to a range of practical skills that may be applied when undertaking audience research. A knowledge of and ability to research audiences is essential to a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the media. The ability to undertake quantitative and qualitative research into various audience groupings, the use of associated analytical tools and the ability to critically analyse academic and industry based audience research are important skills for undertaking both postgraduate research in Media & Communication and those seeking employment in media industries.

Aims

This unit aims to:
- provide you with an understanding of the nature of media audiences and how audiences understand media texts.
- provide you with an understanding of how audience research is undertaken and applied by media industries and media researchers.
- provide you with foundational skills in conducting and applying audience research.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Critique the key theories used to understand media audiences in an academic and industry context;
2. Undertake and critically evaluate audience research projects;
3. Implement material from lectures, tutorials and readings in order to solve problems;
4. Construct informed, independent responses to these problems succinctly and within relatively short time-frames;
5. Structure material in written, graphical and oral forms.

Content

This unit addresses content such as:
- Introduction to audiences
- Quantitative audience research
- Quantitative audience research case study: Television ratings
- Qualitative audience research
- Industry applications of qualitative audience research
- Conducting an audience research project

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Classes will consist of lectures and tutorials/workshops. A series of tutorial exercises and questions will be set each week which you will address in class. These questions and activities will also form of the basis of the major assessment items.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due datewithout an approved extension will not be marked. If you are unable to complete your assignment on time, you should submit on time whatever work you have done.

Faculty Assessment Information
To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information please refer to the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials/seminars and discussions throughout the semester. Weight: 0%

Assessment name: Problem Solving Task
Description: (Formative & Summative)
You will complete a series of short responses to problems and questions based upon the content of the first series of lectures and tutorials.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Mid Semester

Assessment name: Project (research)
Description: (Formative & Summative)
You will prepare a proposal for and conduct a group audience research project.
Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Group
Due date: End semester

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

Required Text

All required and recommended readings will be made available to you through the QUT library's Course Reserve Collection (CRC) and Course Materials Database (CMD).

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

No responsibility will be taken for absence incurred in other QUT course units as a result of this program.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 26-Sep-2012