Students are to contribute to structured tutorial discussions. Marks are for meaningful contributions and insightful observations that reflect reading and  critical thought and analysis. Merely ensuring 80 per cent attendance in tutorials and lectures will unfortunately, not suffice.

Critically analyse literature on media representations of the 'West' and 'the Rest'.

This is an early assessment aimed at providing feedback on student's understanding of scholarly debates surrounding media representations of the Asia-Pacific (part of 'the Rest') and of academic requirements. The essay of 1500 words requires critical analysis of literature relating to media (print and electronic) representations of people, culture, issues and events. At this stage, students are expected to be familiar with accessing library resources and familiarise themselves with referencing formats.

Broadly, the essay requires wide and extensive reading; students must be able to critically evaluate the West-Rest dichotomy, identify existing literature  on media representations, be able to categorise them and make logical and succinct arguments on their relevance in the context of recent international events and the state of global media. Arguments must be related to the theoretical and conceptual framework dealt with in the unit. In short, the work must meet academic requirements with regard to structure, content and references and be of a standard acceptable at the Master’s level.

The criteria against which the paper will be graded are: evidence of understanding of key theories and ability to extend them to the field of communication in the Asia-Pacific region, application of appropriate disciplinary-specific research methods, comprehension of the historical background and socio-political environments, ability to provide alternative perspectives, through in-text referencing and a comprehensive bibliography as also presentation which includes a clear writing style, good grammar and spelling. (Rubric will be posted on ilearn).

A  multiple-choice and short essay test for an hour in Week 8 tutorial.

This test is to assess understanding of the theories introduced in the unit and the ability to extend them to evaluate issues relating to communication.

Answer any one of the following in 2500 words:

1. Critically analyse mainstream media representations in Australia of the Asia-Pacific region

2. Drawing on the theoretical and methodological insights of Edward Said and Stuart Hall, explore the construction of the 'other' in global television.

3. Examine representations of Asians/Africans in Hollywood in the context of 'orientalism' and western hegemonic representations.

This assessment requires understanding of media analysis methods (for instance,  'framing' and discourse analysis). A critical evaluation of the theories of globalisation, Orientalism and post-colonialism and examination of their relevance in a world connected (or divided) by communication technologies are expected. Academic requirements at the Masters level – research rigour, evidence of extensive reading, systematic analysis and academic writing – must be met. Essay must have an ‘introduction’, contain defined sections and a ‘conclusion’, with a list of references at the end. Generalisations must be avoided and arguments substantiated. In-text references are a must.

Broadly, the essay requires choice of an appropriate media form and outlet to study and analyse; identifying a region/country/community for analysis; collecting data consistently over a period of at least 15 days; analysing the data systematically using an academically accepted method and presenting the findings in the context of the theoretical and conceptual framework of the unit.

The criteria against which the essay will be graded are: evidence of understanding of key theories and ability to extend them to the field of communication in the Asia-Pacific region, application of appropriate disciplinary-specific research methods, comprehension of the historical background and socio-political environments, ability to provide alternative perspectives, through in-text referencing and a comprehensive bibliography as also presentation which includes a clear writing style, good grammar and spelling. (Rubric will be posted on ilearn).