Students
MMCC2016 – Sex, Death and Politics: Media Representations
2025 – Session 1, Online-scheduled-weekday
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Joanne Faulkner
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
40cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is about the common (yet often scandalous) dilemmas or big issues we confront or have to ethically decide upon in our everyday lives. For example, why do we, or would we, decide to have an affair or a one night stand? Why do we decide to have kids, or not? Why do we decide to work, or be educated? Why do we decide it is important to prolong human life, or not (euthanasia)? Why do we choose to eat or not eat animals? Selecting from topics such as health, environment, science, to adultery, marriage, abortion, euthanasia, religion, war, sport, and work, this unit will draw on a number of key thinkers, ethical and practical approaches, and media representations, to debate how and why we make the decisions we do, why we think some decisions are more important than others, and how our decisions are influenced by media and politicians, religion and society, family and friends. |
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:
- ULO1: analyse, identify, and communicate broad and specific arguments in contemporary media, cultural, political, and ethical debates.
- ULO2: evaluate various media representations and/or media practices that contribute to cultural, social, and ethical values.
- ULO3: apply theoretical arguments underpinning contemporary issues and debates to specific ethical decision making in everyday life.
- ULO4: apply problem solving and enquiry based learning to contemporary social, cultural, and ethical issues and debates.
- ULO5: reflect critically on the impact and consequence of one's arguments on others, while respecting the difference of counterarguments.
General Assessment Information
The position paper and self-reflective essay are submitted as MS Word or PDF files to Turnitin (links will be made available on the unit iLearn page). To submit the video presenation portion of the panel debate (discussion panel), students must upload their video to Echo or YouTube, then submit an MS Word document with a link to the video and brief statement of the student's position. More information will be available on the unit iLearn page.
Students who require an extension or modification to their assessment should submit a special consideration application. All reasonable requests shall be granted. Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of '0' (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-time sensitive assessment (incl. essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Position Paper | 30% | No | 13/04/2025 |
| Panel Debate | 40% | No | video due 9/5; panels in class wks 10 to 12 |
| Self-Reflective Essay | 30% | No | 08/06/2025 |
Position Paper
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 38 hours
Due: 13/04/2025
Weighting: 30%
Students will choose a class topic and write a position paper in the form of an essay that develops a particular argument. The essay needs to respond to a clearly identified case study / media representation of a particular topic and build on course reading, analysis of relations of power and individual research. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse, identify, and communicate broad and specific arguments in contemporary media, cultural, political, and ethical debates.
- evaluate various media representations and/or media practices that contribute to cultural, social, and ethical values.
- apply theoretical arguments underpinning contemporary issues and debates to specific ethical decision making in everyday life.
- apply problem solving and enquiry based learning to contemporary social, cultural, and ethical issues and debates.
Panel Debate
Assessment Type 1: Debate
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: video due 9/5; panels in class wks 10 to 12
Weighting: 40%
Students will participate in a panel debate, which will focus on a topic specified in class. Students will submit a short video presentation articulating a position and then participate in a randomly assigned panel to discuss this in class. The panels will take place during class hours (tutorials) where possible. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse, identify, and communicate broad and specific arguments in contemporary media, cultural, political, and ethical debates.
- evaluate various media representations and/or media practices that contribute to cultural, social, and ethical values.
- apply theoretical arguments underpinning contemporary issues and debates to specific ethical decision making in everyday life.
- apply problem solving and enquiry based learning to contemporary social, cultural, and ethical issues and debates.
- reflect critically on the impact and consequence of one's arguments on others, while respecting the difference of counterarguments.
Self-Reflective Essay
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 08/06/2025
Weighting: 30%
Students will write a scholarly essay on the nuances and complications that arose when arguing for a specific position before an audience of peers. Refer to iLearn for further information.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- analyse, identify, and communicate broad and specific arguments in contemporary media, cultural, political, and ethical debates.
- evaluate various media representations and/or media practices that contribute to cultural, social, and ethical values.
- apply theoretical arguments underpinning contemporary issues and debates to specific ethical decision making in everyday life.
- apply problem solving and enquiry based learning to contemporary social, cultural, and ethical issues and debates.
- reflect critically on the impact and consequence of one's arguments on others, while respecting the difference of counterarguments.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Lectures will be delivered in person and streamed and recorded through Echo. Tutorials are in person and online via Zoom, but will not be recorded.
All reading and audiovisual materials are available in the unit Leganto and/or the iLearn page.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Unit information based on version 2025.01R of the Handbook