| Overview and Aims of the Program |
Media, Culture, Communication is a qualifying major for the Bachelor of Arts focused on the analysis and critique of power relations through the disciplinary frameworks of media studies and cultural studies. Students follow a pathway through the major that embeds a rigorous and uncompromising critical approach to the power relations manifest in contemporary society. The Media, Culture, Communications major provides a stimulating education that questions our relationships with, and the influence of media. The units constituting the major cover cultural, social, political and ethical issues including case studies of domestic and international importance. Students will develop critically informed and robust literacies to read and evaluate media and cultural texts in a variety of contexts from the everyday to the world-changing. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. identify and demonstrate disciplinary knowledge of media and cultural studies (K, L)
2. recognise and critique power relationships both historically and in contemporary social and cultural contexts (K, T, P, E, L)
3. analyse the social, cultural, political and ethical issues and debates in the disciplines (K,T,E,A).
SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
4. interpret and communicate various ideas, problems and disciplinary debates through discipline specific frameworks (K,C,J)
5. prepare work independently and collaboratively in response to project demands (P, I, C, J).
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
6. synthesize critical theories and apply them to contemporary case studies (K, T, I, E, A). |
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
The Media, Culture, Communication major utilises a range of learning and teaching methods to engage students and enable them to achieve the program learning outcomes. Unit level outcomes are constructively aligned with the program level outcomes and graduate capabilities. The Media, Culture, Communication major employs a range of learning and teaching methods through which student meet learning outcomes:
• Lectures: while many lectures are delivered in traditional face-to-face format, the Media, Culture, Communication major also utilises the Echo 360 lecture recording system and pre-recorded video lectures. The array of formats in which lectures are available ensures that students have access to the lecture materials at any point during the semester.
• Tutorials: tutorials provide an opportunity for students to critically engage with the selected topic(s). Tutorials provide three key markers: First, they provide forums for resolving uncertainties within and questions about the set materials and topics. Second, tutorial participation generates knowledge. Through tutor-led and peer-assisted direction, students generate knowledge of the subject. Third, tutorials enable students to put generated knowledge into practice through activities such as discussion, debate, group tasks and presentations. Additionally, the knowledge generated in tutorials underpins assessment structures and tasks.
• Teaching materials: the Media, Culture, Communication major uses a range of teaching materials to support and direct student learning:
a. lectures (face-to-face and recorded)
b. traditional paper-based and electronic readings
c. text books
d. audiovisual material
e. group task handouts/worksheets
f. online workshop manuals
g. guest speakers.
• Program Structure: the Media, Culture, Communication major is designed to facilitate lower and higher order learning outcomes in its trajectory from 100 through to 300 level study. Additionally, disciplinary knowledge and literacy is developed through the program’s progression from 100 to 300 level study. |
| Assessment |
The Media, Culture, Communication major utilises the following assessment tasks:
• essays (long and short form)
• presentations
• tutorial participation
• quizzes.
Assessments schema include early diagnostic assignments to identify students at risk.
The program includes both formative and summative assessment. Feedback on early diagnostic assessment tasks provides scaffolding to help students develop the skills required in later, more substantial, tasks. Some assessment tasks, such as tutorial participation and presentations, are designed to help the students to develop and familiarise themselves with ideas and skills. Others, such as quizzes and essays, are designed to assess that the student has the required degree of knowledge or competence to move forward with the program. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. For recognition of prior informal and non-formal learning, please refer to the relevant RPL Plan, which describes the evidential requirements and approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit in this program.
For undergraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For postgraduate RPL plans visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Graduates of the Media, Culture, Communication major find employment in the broad media industry, including public relations, journalism and media policy. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
