Students

MECO700 – Disciplinary Contexts

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor
Professor John Potts
Contact via 9850 2163
Y3A 165J
Tuesdays 11 - 1
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
In this unit students will develop a broad knowledge and understanding of the range of disciplines within MMCCS. To facilitate this knowledge students will explore a range of key thinkers and approaches that distinguish these disciplines. Students will also become familiar with the genealogical trajectory and historical contexts in which disciplines have been formed.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

General Assessment Information

Unit Requirements and Expectations

Students attend and participate in a two-hour seminar each week  beginning in Week 2. As participation in the process of learning is linked to and underpins the unit Learning Outcomes, you will need to either apply for Special Consideration to cover any missed seminars (if the disruption is greater than three days) or supply appropriate documentation to the unit convenor for any missed seminar (if less than three consecutive days). 

Students will be expected to read and view materials posted by the Convenor/Lecturers at the iLearn page for this course. 

Assessment tasks are aligned to the unit Learning Outcomes. Timely submission of assessment tasks is a unit requirement or penalties apply.  2% per day (including weekends) will be deducted for all late submissions unless Special Consideration (including a request for an extension) is approved.

There is no examination for this unit.

Submitting Assignments 

Essay assignments are to be submitted via Turnitin. 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Discipline Essay 30% No 30th April
Seminar Presentation 20% No 4th June
Written research proposal 50% No 15th June

Discipline Essay

Due: 30th April
Weighting: 30%

This essay of 2,000 words should define the discipline or sub-discipline in which the student's research interest resides. The report should describe the history and conventions of this discipline, as well as its scope, defining characteristics, debates,  key research questions and modes of  inquiry. A brief description of the existing scholarship within this discipline, relevant to the student's research question, should also be included. The essay should include references. Referencing guide and marking criteria are available on iLearn.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Seminar Presentation

Due: 4th June
Weighting: 20%

A presentation delivered to the seminar group, outlining the student's proposed research question and its disciplinary context. The presentation should be of twenty minutes duration and take place in weeks 11-13.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Written research proposal

Due: 15th June
Weighting: 50%

This written proposal, of 3,000 words, should outline the topic of the proposed MRes research project, to be delivered in Year Two. The proposal should outline the scope of the project and describe the methodology employed in the research. It should also identify how this project is situated within a disciplinary context, including the relevant published scholarly research and/or creative practice, and any cross-disciplinary research initiatives where applicable.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Delivery and Resources

Readings will be provided by the convenor. Some readings are available online for download, as detailed in the Unit Schedule.

Unit Schedule

MECO700 Unit Schedule

Week 2: 5th March – Introduction to Disciplinary Contexts (John Potts)

Week 3: 12th March - Media Studies (Willa McDonald)

ReadingJordan, M, ‘In a Post-Truth Election, Clicks Trump Facts’, The Conversation, October 26, 2016. Available at: https://theconversation.com/in-a-post-truth-election-clicks-trump-facts-67274

Gunn, E, ‘Twitter as arena for the authentic outsider: exploring the social media campaigns of Trump and Clinton in the 2016 US presidential election, European Journal of Communication, February 13, 2017. http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0267323116682802

Background Reading: Graeme Turner and Stuart Cunningham, 'The Media and Communications in Australia Today', Chapter 1 in Turner and Cunningham, The Media and Communications in Australia, Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 2010

Week 4: 19th MarchWriting (Willa McDonald)

Reading Gibson, Ross  ‘The Known World’, TEXT Special issue, Symposium: Creative and practice-led research—status, future plans, Brien DL, Burr S & Webb J (eds) Oct. 2010.   http://www.textjournal.com.au/speciss/issue8/Gibson.pdf

Macnamara, A.,  ‘Six rules for practice-led research’, TEXT: Journal of Writing and Writing Courses, Scott Brook and Paul Magee (ed's), Special Issue, Website Series, no. 4, 14 October 2012. http://www.textjournal.com.au/speciss/issue14/McNamara.pdf

Week 5: 26th March - Cultural Studies (Nicole Anderson)

Reading: Nicole Anderson and Katrina Schulnke, 'Introduction: Theory to Practice' in Anderson & Schulnke, Cultural Theory in Everyday Practice, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009

Week 6: Easter Break

Week 7: 4th April - Cultural Studies and Cultural Theory (Joseph Pugliese)

Reading: Patricia Hill Collins, ‘Intersectionality’s Definitional Dilemmas’, Annual Review of Sociology 2015.41: pp. 1 – 20.

MID-SEMESTER BREAK

Week 8: 30th April - Creative Arts Research (Kathryn Millard) 

Reading: Janet Fulton & Elizabeth Paton, ‘The Systems Model of Creativity’ in McIntyre, Fulton J. and Paton Ed.  The Creative System in Action, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016

Week 9: 7th May - Screen Studies (Karen Pearlman)

Reading: David Bordwell, ‘The Viewer’s Share: Models of Mind in Explaining Film’ (2012) at http://www.davidbordwell.net/essays/viewersshare.php

Week 10: 14 May - Music (Adrian Renzo)

Reading: Philip Tagg (2015) ‘Analysing Popular Music: Theory, Method and Practice’ at https://www.tagg.org/articles/pm2anal.html

Weeks 11 - 13: 21 May - 4 June - Student Presentations (John Potts)

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

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 re-mark procedure: Additional information MMCCS website https://www.mq.edu.au/ about_us/faculties_and_departments/faculty_of_arts/ department_of_media_music_communication_and_cultural_studies/ MMCCS Session Re-mark Application http://www.mq.edu.au/pubstatic/public/download/?id=167914 Information is correct at the time of publication 

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline

Assessment tasks

  • Discipline Essay
  • Written research proposal

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area

Assessment tasks

  • Discipline Essay
  • Seminar Presentation
  • Written research proposal

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Assessment tasks

  • Discipline Essay
  • Seminar Presentation
  • Written research proposal

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Assessment tasks

  • Discipline Essay
  • Written research proposal

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Develop a high level of oral, written, and technological communication skills, with specialisation for the specific needs of a discipline
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar Presentation
  • Written research proposal

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Acquire a coherent and advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts within a discipline area
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in a disciplinary area
  • Think critically and make informed and logical judgments of the arguments of others to arrive at reasoned and meaningful arguments and positions, and formulate, synthesis and apply ideas to new contexts

Assessment task

  • Seminar Presentation