Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Beate Mueller
Contact via beate.mueller@mq.edu.au
by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
3
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
"We cannot not communicate." (Watzlawick, 1973). This unit introduces a theoretical framework for the study of international communication. It provides students with a toolbox that can be used to critically approach and analyse communication processes and the creation of meaning. The aim of this unit, and of international communication in general, is to create an awareness of the self and the other and to facilitate, analyse and improve communication processes between these entities. Tutorials focus on practical tasks and consist of the application of theory and methodology, the examination of the institutional settings of international communication through case studies, and on issues around advertising, public relations, new media, global media and development communication. Students will practise semiotic analysis, content analysis, case study, and close reading.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Name | Weighting | Due |
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1. Paraphrasing and Quoting | 10% | 9 April (Week 4), 5pm |
2. Social Media Interview | 20% | 16 April (Week 5), 5pm |
3. Semiotic Analysis | 25% | 30 April (week 7), 5pm |
4. Critical Essay | 35% | 11 June (Week 13), 5pm |
5. Participation | 10% | ongoing |
Due: 9 April (Week 4), 5pm
Weighting: 10%
This assignment consists of 2 parts. Part one (identifying direct quotes and paraphrased ideas) can be completed any time after week 2 where tutorials are dedicated to paraphrasing, quoting and referencing. The due date for the completion of part 1 is 5pm 17 March (Week 4). It should take you only 30 minutes to complete. The second part (paraphrasing ideas from an article in week 5&6) can be completed any time before 5pm 17 March (Week 4). Please check instructions on iLearn.
Grading criteria:
Due: 16 April (Week 5), 5pm
Weighting: 20%
Read the 3 articles (readings for week 4). Use one of the research questions about social media among young people and create 4 or 5 interview questions about this topic (use open or semi-open questions only). Interview fellow students (outside of ICOM100, a handful of people will be sufficient) and summarise your results (300w). Submit your summary online by 5pm (Week 5). Please check instructions on iLearn.
Grading criteria:
Questionnaire:
Summary:
Due: 30 April (week 7), 5pm
Weighting: 25%
You will be given (print or youtube) advertisements to choose from for your written analysis. In your short essay (around 1000 words), you should use the semiotic terms (eg. icon, index, symbol) that have been introduced in class to explain how the ad is constructed, how meaning is created, if the ad is effective or not. Your analysis should be precise, concise, and use semiotic theory. Using relevant references and providing a reference list are compulsory. Please check instructions on iLearn. Written analysis needs to be submitted by 5pm (Week 7).
Grading criteria:
Due: 11 June (Week 13), 5pm
Weighting: 35%
Write an essay of 1,500 - 2,000 words. You will find a choice of essay questions on iLearn by mid semester. Your essay needs to be submitted online by 5pm (Week 13) and as a hard copy to the reception on Level 2 by 12:30 Thursday 11/06/2015.
Grading criteria:
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 10%
Marks are awarded for active participation in tutorials rather than for attendance.
Classes in ICOM100 are composed of lectures and tutorials. The structure of the unit is a weekly two-hour lecture and a weekly one-hour group tutorial.
The timetable for classes can be found on the City Campus web site at: http://student.mqc.edu.au/
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED
Online units can be assesed at iLearn: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au
iLearn is the main platform for material sharing, communication and assignment submission.
PC and Internet access are required. Basic computer skills (e.g., internet browsing) and skills in word processing are also a requirement. Please consult teaching staff for any further, more specific requirements.
REQUIRED AND RECOMMENDED TEXTS AND/OR MATERIALS
Unit readings are available on e-Research on Macquarie University library website.
More reading materials will be uploaded on iLearn
WHAT HAS CHANGED?
This unit has been revised and reorganised. Though the main content is still the same, the new order of topics and updated reading make previous course readers unsuitable, they cannot be used to accommany this class. Some assessment tasks have been adjusted.
Week 1 |
Introduction In this lecture we will look at the course outline and make final adjustments according to students' input.Tutorial: Introductions |
Week 2 |
Toolbox 1: What is communication? In this session we will concentrate on communication models. Tutorial: Paraphrasing workshop – how to summarise a message and integrate it into your own text. You may complete the paraphrasing assignment from today onwards. |
Week 3 |
Toolbox 2: The creation of meaning We continue examining communication processes and focus on the creation of meaning. Tutorial: Semiotic interpretation of a poster |
Week 4 |
Mediated Communication: Social Media This week is dedicated to the analysis of social media usage. International contexts add another dimension to mediated communication. Tutorial: Facebook, Anonymity, and the Crisis of the Multiple Self |
Week 5 |
International advertising campaigns and PR Tutorial: Case study: United Colors of Benetton |
Week 6 |
Advertising AIDS This week we will explore the state/marketing interface by analysing International Communication about AIDS. Tutorial: Global communication about AIDS |
Week 7 |
Global Media Flows This week is dedicated to international media flows and contra-flows of visual media. Tutorial: Case study: Heterogeneous global audiences. We will look at communication as mainstream commercial commodity vs alternative, anti-globalisation communication strategies. |
Week 8 |
Non-verbal communication in international settings Tutorial: Cultural differences in non-verbal communication experimenting with signs. |
Week 9 |
Global media and public sphere This session will introduce Habermas' concept of the public sphere and lead to a discussion about space for public sphere within the new media Tutorial: Accessibility and usage – unlimited communication online? |
Week 10 |
The notion of the nation state vs multicultural societies Tutorial: Everyday communication in international cities |
Week11 |
International communication and language Different languages can be one of the biggest obstacles in International communication. We will look at the role of English as lingua franca and explore how useful the ability to speak a foreign language is in international environments such as business, education, and politics. Tutorial: The circles of language (group exercise) |
Week 12 |
International Negotiation This lecture is about the purposes of effective International Communication Tutorial: Case study on international business negotiation |
Week 13 |
Unit Review |
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
MMCCS Session Re-mark Application http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914
Information is correct at the time of publication
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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This graduate capability is supported by:
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The due date for Assessment Task 1 changes to Week 4 in S1 2015; the due date for Assessment Task 2 changes to Week 5 S1 2015.
There are no unit readers available for purchase at Co-op Book Store. Instead, unit readings are available on e-Reserve on Macquarie University library website.
Both hard copy and electronic submissions are required.
Hard copies will be submitted at the reception (Level 2) on the due date and electronic copies will be submitted via Turnitin on iLearn.
Information about how to submit work online can be accessed through the iLearn unit.
Return of marked work
During semester, marked hard copies of assignment 2 and 3 will be returned to students in class. The critical essays (assessment task 4) will be returned to the reception.
Late Penalty - 2% per day (including weekends) over the due date.
Any assessment task that is handed in late, will incur a late penalty of 2% per day, unless the students has handed in a medical certificate to the convenor, or applied to the convenor for an extension through the 'Disruption of Studies'.