Students are expected to attend all lectures and tutorials. Attendance at tutorials is compulsory and any missed tutorial must be accompanied by appropriate documentation (attendance waiver submitted online). Marks are awarded through a point-system, where students can achieve two points per week (one for attendance, one for active participation). 

Assessment criteria: 

Attendance: Regular attendance at tutorials. 

Active participation: Evidence of engagement with the unit readings, active participation in class activities, thoughtful contribution to class discussions. 

This assessment task has two parts: a group presentation and an individual reflection.

PART 1: GROUP PRESENTATION (15%)

Students will prepare a 10-minute presentation in groups of three. Each group is assigned a specific week and a specific reading. In the presentation, groups introduce one (1) media event, text or a phenomenon that in their view aligns with the theoretical proposition of their assigned reading. The presentation is not a summary of the arguments made in the readings, but a reflection on how those ideas apply to the chosen media example. The chosen event, text or phenomenon must belong to Australian media.

The aim of the presentation is to:

1. Analyse Australian media (the chosen case study can be from a range of media: radio, film, television, magazines, newspaper, social media etc.).

2. Explicate why a particular media event, text or phenomenon is interesting from the point of view of identity.

3. Identify and use appropriate academic arguments in relation to media (specifically those presented in the assigned reading).

The presentation consists of:

1. 10 minutes of time. Pay extra attention to the timing of your presentation. You will be cut off after 10 minutes.

2. A visual aid - such as powerpoint - with which you present your findings to the class.

3. A structure. Do not try and say everything there is to say about your chosen case. Choose key ideas and structure your presentation around them. Remember to introduce the media example properly and provide concluding remarks.

4. Three group members. Each member of the group must be present and contribute to the presentation.

5. Individual report (template provided in iLearn) on the group working process. To be submitted via Turnitin before the presentation.

Assessment criteria for AT2/ Part1:

The applicability of the media example to the week's topic and readings. Groups are expected to explicate why and how the media event, text or phenomenon applies to the argument of their assigned reading.  

Media analysis. Groups will be assessed based on their ability to analyse the details and scope of their chosen example.

Clarity of the presentation. The presentation will be assessed based on the clarity of its delivery. This includes the structure of the presentation, legibility of powerpoint slides and other (audio-)visual support as well as keeping to the timeframe. Groups must submit their powerpoint slides to their tutor in class or via email on the day of presentation.

PART 2: INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION (15%)

Students will write a 500-word individual reflection on the topic of the group assignment. The reflection should not be a simple summary of the presentation: it should build on what was said in class. What other avenues are there to explore? How would the other reading of the week change your take on the media case? How does your group's chosen example relate to other media cases? Use the reflection template provided in iLearn.

Due date is 7 days after the group presentation (weeks 3-7).

Submission is via Turnitin.

Late submissions: Students who submit late work without an extension will receive a penalty of 10% per day. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Disruption to Studies is made and approved.

Assessment criteria for AT2/ Part2:

Argument and reflection. Students will be assessed based on their ability to engage critically with their own work. Critical engagement is not equivalent to judging, it is an analytic practice of evaluating and comparing how the chosen theoretical approach works in relation to media.

Media analysis. Assessment will focus on the students’ ability to demonstrate an understanding of how identities are constructed in the media.

Writing and structure. Individual reflections will be assessed according to the clarity of expression and coherence of structure. Appropriate referencing is required.

In week 7, students will take an online quiz on the materials (unit readings, lectures, media examples) of the first six weeks of classes. The quiz consists of multiple choice questions and it is available on iLearn. Students are welcome to consult their notes, unit readings and other materials while taking the quiz. The quiz will be open throughout the day, students get one attempt and they have one hour to complete the quiz. If you cannot take the quiz at this time, contact the unit convenor for alternative arrangements before the scheduled quiz day.

For the major essay, students will choose a media personality (politician, sportsperson, actor, artist, musician, celebrity etc.) and analyse their identity construction in the media. Students will source at least 3 media texts of or by the chosen person (interviews, articles, social media posts etc.) and analyse the construction of their identity in them. Students must relate their analysis to 3 unit topics and refer to 4 unit readings. The essay length is 1500 words excluding the bibliography. 

Assessment criteria:

Reading and research: Evidence of critical engagement with set course materials (unit readings and unit topics). Evidence of independent research on the chosen media personality (newspapers, magazines, online and/or audiovisual sources).  

Argument and analysis: Well-articulated and well-supported argument; evidence of critical thinking in relation to identity construction in the media. Evidence of relational thinking through making connections between key ideas from the course and the sourced media texts, and supporting this position.

Writing and structure: Logical and coherent structure; clarity of expression; appropriate referencing; length.  

Submission is via Turnitin.

Late submissions: Students who submit late work without an extension will receive a penalty of 10% per day. This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for Disruption to Studies is made and approved.