Course syllabus

FTVMS 100: Issues in Contemporary Media

2016, Semester 1 (15.0 points)

Description:

We know that the media are big business and we know that in the 21st century they have become a massive presence in our daily lives. But arguments rage about what role and impact the media actually have. Do they substantially influence our beliefs and behaviours or are we mostly just entertained and distracted by the media? Do we now live in a more informed and transparent society thanks to the proliferation of media in recent times? Or do we live in a more 'dumbed-down' and trivialised culture as a result?

This course explores the major role played by the media in contemporary society. In particular, it highlights the radical changes brought about by the recent development and diffusion of digital technologies. It explores the impact these changes have had upon media industries, media texts and media audiences through the lens of current controversies that serve as case studies in media culture.

Controversies we look at this year include:

• video games and their effects
• the impact of music piracy
• the myth of Donald Trump
• cinema in the age of digital special effects
• sport as media spectacle
• pornography and technological change
• TV in the Netflix era
• representations of Māori in the NZ media
• social media addiction
• celebrity culture and the Kardashians.

The course is designed for anyone with an interest in the media, regardless of whether you have prior media studies experience. As well as providing a grounding in key concepts and approaches in media research and analysis, the course will explore a range of current controversies in media culture: it will change the way you think about media and the role they play in our lives.

Course convenor:
Associate Professor Luke Goode
Email: l.goode@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 86030
Semester 1 office hours: Mondays 10am-12pm
Office: 401A, Arts 2

Course coordinator:
Dr Suzanne Woodward
Email: s.woodward@auckland.ac.nz
Phone: +64 9 373 7599 ext 83739
Semester 1 office hours: Fridays 10.30am-12.30pm
Office: 502, Arts 2

Contributing lecturers:
Dr Allan Cameron
Dr Margaret Henley
Dr Suzanne Woodward

Tutors:
Ahmed Ghazal
Laura Bell
Callum Freeman
(see here for contact details, office hours and further information on tutorials)

Class Reps

Lecture times:
Thursdays 1-3pm in the B28 (Library Basement Lecture Theatre)

Weekly lecture topics:

Week 1 - Introduction to the course
Week 2 - Analysing media texts (case study: Donald Trump)
Week 3 - Media audiences and users (case study: video games and gamers)
Week 4 - Producers, industries and markets (case study: sport as media spectacle)
Week 5 - Media technologies (case study: pornography)
Week 6 - Film in the digital age (case study: digital special effects)
Week 7 - Targeted learning session
Week 8 - Television (case study: Netflix)
Week 9 - The internet (case study: social media addiction)
Week 10 - News (case study: Māori in the media)
Week 11 - Music media (case study: digital piracy)
Week 12 - Celebrity culture (case study: the Kardashians)
Week 13 - Exam revision

See Modules for further information and resources relating to weekly lecture topics.

Tutorial times:
Check SSO for details

Assessment breakdown:
Tutorial Participation: 10%
Media Analysis: 20%
Research Exercise: 10%
Essay: 20%
Exam: 40%
Your overall course mark is the sum of your assignments, tutorial participation and exam marks. There is no plussage on this paper. A total of 50% (C-) is the minimum pass mark for the course and you MUST sit the exam to pass this course. Details of assignments and deadlines will be posted under Assignments.

Submission of coursework:
All coursework will be submitted online via Canvas (uploading to Canvas will also submit the work to Turnitin.com). See individual assignments for submission requirements and deadlines. We cannot accept and will not mark work submitted in hard copy.

Deadlines and extensions:
Deadlines for coursework are non-negotiable. In extreme circumstances, such as illness, you may seek an extension but you will require a doctor’s certificate. In such cases, extensions must be personally negotiated with your Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) before the assignment is due. Extensions must be approved in writing (e.g. via email) by your GTA. You should write "Extension approved by [GTA's name]" at the top of your assignment. All late assignments without a pre-approved extension will be penalised one mark per day late. An assignment submitted after the marked assignments have been returned to students, but before the end of the teaching semester will not be marked. However, it may be used for consideration of final marks. It is better to hand in a late assignment by the end of the teaching semester (Friday 5 June) than no assignment at all.

Final exam:
You must sit the final exam in order to pass this course. You will be given guidance on the exam and how to prepare in the final lecture of the course. It's essential you attend this exam preparation lecture (it may not be recorded). Exam timetables are published nearer the time. You will need to visit Student Services Online to get this information. Information about exam regulations, what to do if you are late for or miss and exam, how to apply for aegrotat or compassionate consideration etc. can all be found at the Examinations website.

Academic integrity:
This University (and the staff teaching this course) take any form of academic dishonesty (e.g. plagiarism) extremely seriously and it is compulsory for all incoming students to complete a short academic integrity module — see here for details [NB It is essential that you read this: ignorance of the requirements will not be considered a defence in cases of academic misconduct].

Workload:
As with other 15-point courses, the University of Auckland’s expectation is that students spend 10 hours per week on this course. You should manage your academic workload and other commitments accordingly. Students attend a two-hour lecture each week. They take part in a one-hour tutorial each week from Week 2 onwards. This leaves 7 hours per week outside the classroom to study for tutorials, assignments and the exam.

Lecture recordings:
While we will post lecture recordings on Canvas (see individual lecture topics in Modules), this is never a substitute for lecture attendance. We cannot guarantee that the recording technology will work smoothly each week or that recordings will be made available before the relevant tutorial (at which you will be required to discuss issues raised in the lecture). You will learn more effectively by using recordings to supplement your in-class learning e.g. for clarifying or revising specific material (this is known as 'blended learning', by the way).

Tutorials:
Tutorials begin in week 2. You will need to check your timetable on SSO for times and rooms. For further information about what to expect from tutorials and tutors (Graduate Teaching Assistants) click here.

Tuākana Mentoring Programme: please click here for details.

Course Facebook page: this is available for students to discuss class-related matters. It is mostly useful for peer-to-peer discussions, but course staff will also participate and contribute. Participation is completely optional and this is NOT an official forum for disseminating information about the class. Check with your GTA or on Canvas if you are looking for official course information. And don't expect immediate responses to queries from staff via this forum. Email your GTA if you have an urgent query. 

First Year Experience: First Year Experience works to quickly integrate first year students into campus culture, making the transition to university study smoother. Please visit their website for further information.

Library Services: This course will require you to make use of the University library and so it's essential you familiarise yourself with the services offered (including books, journals, audio-visual resources, research and referencing support). Please visit the library website for further information.

Student Learning Services: SLS provides opportunities for students to improve their academic performance and study skills through workshops, advisory sessions and online resources. Visit their website for further information. All students are strongly encouraged to make use of these resources (they cater for all students, not just those who are struggling with academic work).

English Language Enrichment (ELE): Those who are already aware (or whose DELNA results reveal) that they need help with English reading, listening, speaking or writing should enrol at the English Language Self Access Centre in the Information Commons. You will be able to direct your own learning with help from staff, who will help you get started, and monitor your progress. Click here for more information.

DELNA Screening: The University DELNA programme is designed to assist students by providing a profile of their abilities that can then be used as a basis for their further development of academic skills. All incoming students are required by the University to complete the DELNA screening in their first year of academic study, irrespective of their language background. If you did not complete your DELNA screening during Orientation Week, you need to book a time via the DELNA website to get it done as soon as possible. Since tutorials do not run in the first week of semester, you are encouraged to use this time to do your DELNA screening.