Units

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Sample subject outline - 6 Week Teaching Period - 5 2012

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

Rationale

This unit introduces you to foundational ideas in the study of communication. It covers key questions of textual analysis, practice, and context. Drawing extensively on examples of popular communication practice from contemporary society, the unit aims to impart an understanding of communication ecologies, processes, systems, and modes within the wider frame of radical changes occuring to the way texts are produced, read and circulated within our culture.

Aims

This unit aims to provide you with:
- A understanding of communication theory, and the language it employs.
- An introduction to contemporary theories and debates relevant to the practice of communication.
- An overview of the contexts, practices and opportunities for communication professionals in contemporary society.
- An understanding of the methods and uses of textual analysis.

Objectives

On completion of this unit you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an applied understanding of communication theory;
2. Apply communication theory to a contemporary media text in a variety of modes;
3. Develop a media text, in light of communication theory;
4. Critically analyse and understand current changes in how texts are produced, distributed and understood.

Content

The unit content addresses topics such as:
- Textual Communication
- Semiotics
- Textual Analysis
- Context of Communication
- Communication and Diversity
- Communication and Identity
- Branding and Advertising
- Copyright and Intellectual Property
- Ethics of Communication

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

All teaching in this unit will be in a series of seminars. Here, key concepts will be introduced and illustrated, alongside discussion directed at deepening understanding of content, and supporting student work-in-progress on assessment tasks.

Assessment

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
An assignment submitted after the due date without 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 see the Blackboard site for this unit.FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions through the semester. You will receive written formative feedback on the unit's assignments. Weight: 0%

Assessment name: Examination (written)
Description: You are to undertake a textual analysis of a supplied text using the communication theories discussed in the first 3 days of the unit.
Relates to objectives: 1,2,3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 1

Assessment name: Essay
Description: You will draw upon the required readings and unit content to critically discuss ongoing changes in contemporary communication practices.
Relates to objectives: 1,4
Weight: 60%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 4

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

Do to the intensive nature of delivery, resource materials will be developed progressively.

Risk assessment statement

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

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: 23-Aug-2012