Media Industries 1

Contents 1 outline 2 what we try to do 3 how 4 why 5 what do the students produce to prove it (artefacts)

outline

This is a third year course in the professional strand of the Bachelor of Communication (Media) degree.

Media Industries 1 provides students with the opportunity to develop their knowledge of the media industries. It will enable them to develop their skills in researching these industries, to ensure they can effectively learn, adapt, innovate and ultimately lead within a rapidly changing professional environment.

The course is designed to assist students to articulate into the media industries once they have completed their degree. It aims to contextualise students’ individual interests and skills within a broader, more in-depth understanding of contemporary mediascapes, including a survey of possible future directions. Content will cover issues of broad significance to career development in the media (e.g. industry infrastructure, key industry players, industry futures, copyright, funding, grant writing, policy development).

It is expected that students will undertake research across a range of areas and utilise a range of professional research techniques in investigating chosen topics. In the process, they will develop an understanding of the importance of networks and networking in the media industries.

They will also develop their knowledge and experience of professional media industry practices through participation in a work attachment.

what we try to do

• develop applied research skills relevant to professional practice in the media industries;
• acquire a sound knowledge of the media industries, in terms of infrastructure, culture, key players and policies;
• develop an understanding of the importance of networks and networking in the media industries;
• develop an understanding of professional media industry practices through participation in a work attachment;
• be able to express professional research in appropriate forms (e.g. reports, presentations, seminars).

how

It involves the ongoing development of a series of interconnected capacities or modes of practice, being (in no particular order):

• specific media-making techniques, for creating media artefacts (stuff) such as radio , short film and video and web-based interactive works
• collaboration
• reflection
• creativity
• research skills
• critique and feedback

• lectures • seminars; • presentations; • guest speakers; • workshops; • problem solving sessions; • individual and group based reflection; • receiving and providing feedback;

why

what do the students produce to prove it (artefacts)

1. Student blog/journal (30%) entries made throughout the semester reflecting on individual roles, goals and their individual process within the collaborative research project. These entries will be both peer and self-assessed.

2. Submission of a collaborative research brief (10%) and collaborative group contracts.

3. A collaborative work in progress presentation (10%) which will be peer assessed

4. Final presentation (20%) of the collaborative research projects findings and reflection on the process of learning. This will be peer assessed.

5. A collaborative report (30%) on an industry-relevant topic, as outlined above in ’Learning Activities’. This report will be published and available for public consumption in the form most appropriate to the research findings.