School Of Humanities And Communication ArtsMedia Cultures and IndustriesWestern Sydney University Unit Code: 101926.1
Discipline: COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES
Student Contribution Band: 1
Level: 1
Credit Points: 10
Assumed Knowledge
Knowledge gained from completion of Bachelor of Communication Year 1 Key Program or Major units.
Equivalent Units
63276 - Approaches to Communication, 101040 - Approaches to Communication
About this Unit
This unit introduces students to key theories and approaches in communication (political economy, policy studies, medium theory, audience studies, game studies) in order to analyse the diversity and richness of media cultures. The unit situates media cultures within historical contexts that register the enormous impact communication technology has had in shaping culture and society. After examining the special properties of broadcast media (e.g. newspapers, radio, music) and the rise of the modern nation-state and consumer society, the unit attends to the massive transformation of society with the advent of digital media. Across the unit, policy issues will be addressed in order to demonstrate how policy holds substantial implications and effects with respect to media content, economies, and culture.