Unit rationale, description and aim
All politics is mediated through different media lenses. In recent decades the number of different media outlets and approaches to covering the news has radically altered. The rationale for this unit is to help students understand the interplay between politics, media and the public.
This unit explores the complex interplay between politics and the media. It examines how the media impacts politics - through topics such as election coverage, political journalism and media effects; how politics impacts media - through topics such as press regulation and public broadcasting; and how this interaction plays out by looking at issues around political advertising and communication; misinformation & fake news; free speech and censorship; humour/satire and social media. The unit pays particular attention to what the move from traditional to digital communications has meant for democratic politics.
At a time when the media and communications industries seem more pervasive in political life than ever before, this unit aims to help students make sense of the shifting media and political landscape in Australia and beyond.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Describe the nature and significance of the relati...
Learning Outcome 01
Critically discuss diverse political perspectives ...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply concepts and theories used in the study of p...
Learning Outcome 03
Demonstrate the capacity to Employ relevant resear...
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Print media and news production
- Digital media
- Communications theories
- Political communications
- Political journalism
- Public broadcasting
- Press regulation and ownership of media
- Foreign interference in election campaigns
- Artificial intelligence and political communications
- Relationship between politics and the media, particularly with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and/or marginalised, disadvantaged, and vulnerable communities
- Social media and activism
- Research techniques for investigating topics on politics and media/communications
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks for this unit have been designed to contribute to high quality student learning by both helping students learn (assessment for learning), and by measuring explicit evidence of their learning (assessment of learning). Assessments have been developed to meet the unit learning outcomes and develop graduate attributes consistent with University assessment requirements. These have been designed so that they use a variety of tasks to measure the different learning outcomes at a level suitable for second year study in politics and international relations.
The quizzes require students to demonstrate understanding of content and debates covered in lectures, tutorials and readings. The media monitoring task requires students to make connections between the media around us and the analytical frameworks about politics and communication studied in the unit. The major research task is a written task that requires student to use both research and analytical skills to investigate media interests, ideas, institutions and political behaviours.
The three assessments work together by combining core media literacy skills (media monitoring) with an understanding of key theories/frameworks (quizzes) and then bringing these two skills together in the final research task.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Quizzes Students are required to d...
Assessment 1: Quizzes
Students are required to demonstrate an understanding of the contents and debates in the lectures and readings, as well as the context in which these debates operate, through a series of three quizzes throughout the semester.
15%
Assessment 2: Media monitoring Students will be ...
Assessment 2: Media monitoring
Students will be required to actively monitor the media, and provide 3 short reports (200 words each) across the course of the semester, including an oral component in the tutorial, and then a final overarching report at the end of semester, which may also include an oral component.
40%
Assessment 3: Major written task/research task S...
Assessment 3: Major written task/research task
Students are required to apply research skills as well as concepts and theories used in the study of political science to the analysis of media interests, ideas, institutions and political behaviour.
45%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit provides a variety of learning experiences to engage students and facilitate learning. Lectures provide content, introduce theories and outline case studies that illustrate the connection between media and politics. They provide a structured framework that ensures all students receive essential knowledge in a cohesive manner, setting the stage for deeper exploration in tutorials. Students benefit from a structured approach to learning, where foundational concepts are clearly articulated and contextualized. This approach supports students in developing a comprehensive understanding before engaging in critical discussions and practical exercises
In tutorials students will benefit from discussing contemporary events and topics, responding to stimulating questions and discussions, trying hands-on research techniques, and other skills development exercises in a collaborative or social learning environment.