In not more than 1000 words, draw up a research plan to investigate any one of the issues listed below. Choose a methodology taught in the unit and establish its appropriateness. The assessment involves identifying the theoretical/conceptual framework, justifying the methodology and detailing the method as applicable to the study of the issue. (Note: ‘methodology’ refers to approach and method, including details of data collection). You are not required to conduct the study or report findings.

1. Political polarization

Political polarisation is increasing in democracies. Draw up a design to evaluate media's contribution  (includes new communication platforms) to increasing political polarization.

You begin with the premise that today's democracies are polarized and that media has played a role in fomenting the polarization. Based on this premise, you attempt to find out the ways in which media has divided people politically. You may choose to study media in general or focus on any one media. For example, you can create a research plan to find out how a particular TV news channel's biases in a particular country affect viewers' voting choices. (How Republic TV in India's pro-BJP stance contributes to political polarisation). Or, you can draw up a plan to find out how social media contributes to this by studying interactions in any popular platform. Choose one of the methods dealt with in the unit.

2. Diasporic belongingness

Myria Georgiou (2013: 80-99)* argues that media must be understood as spaces where minorities increasingly communicate interests, make claims and mobilize identities. While living in western nations, they also sustain political and cultural connections across boundaries, largely through the media. However, the rise of transnational television calls into question this assertion. Transnational television cater to broad categories potentially  homogenising populations.  Draw up a design to investigate whether transnational television enhance diasporic belongingness or challenge it.

*Georgiou, Myria, 2013, 'Diaspora in the Digital Era: Minorities and Media Representation,' Journal on Ethnopolitics and Minority Issues in Europe, Vol 12, No 4, pp.80-99.

Again, you can choose any Diaspora in any country and any transnational TV in that country. You can evaluate any programme: news or entertainment (For example, how are the Asians represented in US TV shows). If you want to consider Netflix or any of the newer platforms, please draw from academic material to explain why you consider it as 'transnational television'.

3. Symbols of global culture

Studies have established that 'global culture' has not resulted from gradual spontaneous processes, but is a result of tremendous investments of time, energy and money by transnational corporations. The common theme of global culture is 'consumption'. Devise a research design to identify and understand the symbols of global culture employed in transnational advertisements. (Examples of some symbols of transnational culture - automobiles, advertising, supermarkets, shopping centers, hotels, fast food chains, credit cards, and Hollywood movies. They are used to indicate themes such as happiness, youth, success, status, luxury, fashion, and beauty.)

This question needs an understanding of emergence of 'global culture' and how particular signs and symbols represent it. Once that is established, you can drawn up a plan to examine to what effect they are used in transnational advertisements.

The following assessment criteria will apply:

1. Appropriateness of the method: choosing the most suitable and effective method

2. Details of methodology: evidence of a clear understanding of the method and applicability in the context of the question

3. References: this refers to both references in-text to appropriate theorists and the format of references appended to the essay

4. Writing: Lucid and clear writing style which is appropriate to academic work

5. Structure: a clear structure that evidences systematic thought

The aim of the test is to ensure that the methods dealt with in the unit have been understood adequately to facilitate application. The test will contain multiple choice questions and will open in Week 9 and be available from Monday, 9 a.m - Friday, 5 p.m.  The test is time-bound. Time has been fixed taking into account the interests of students requiring more time. Students will have to finish it at one sitting in the time specified prior to the test.

The following assessment criteria will apply:

Correct understanding of methods: A summary of the concepts as in the readings and as explained in the lectures.

Knowledge of theorists: Reference to key theorists mentioned in the readings and lectures.

There is only a right or wrong answer and feedback will be provided on completion of the test.

This is a group assessment. There are two components to this assessment: oral presentation for 20 marks and written submission for 20 marks. The oral presentation will be scheduled in the tutorial classes in weeks 11 and 12. The written submission for all groups is due on 7th November 2019, 5 p.m, on Turnitin.

Teams  are required to present a research project proposal on an issue of significance in the disciplinary areas of communication and media studies. The topic must be new and contemporary.  Events related to the topic must preferrably be on-going and should NOT have occurred earlier than January 2018. The issue chosen for study must concern large sections of population, must engage global attention and must be part of public discourse, or, in other words be worthy of research.

Project proposal must contain 1. Title/research question 2. Aims and objectives 3. Background and significance 4. Methodology and 5. Bibliography. Method must be qualitative and chosen from one of the methods taught in the unit. This assessment does not require application of the method. It must however contain all details of the method, including details of how it could be applied. The proposal must make clear how the method is appropriate to the study of the issue, the period of data collection and the parameters of analysis and a timeline. Team members are to work together with each taking up responsibility for one section of the proposal.

The oral submission in Weeks 11 and 12 seminar hours will be assessed on the following criteria:

Content: significance of research topic, viability of research, clear articulation of aims and objectives, appropriate references, detailed methodology and a well constructed Bibliography

Coherence: the different sections are stitched together well and flow easily without contradictions, making it easy to understand

Use of time: the individual members share the time allotted and work in tandem with other members

Manner of presentation: Eye contact, gestures, volume, enunciation, good grammar and vocabulary

Visual aids

The 20 marks for the group presentation will be divided thus: content and coherence 10 marks  and  use of time, manner of presentation and visual aids: 10 marks

Written submission: Each team member is to write approximately 1200 words. All sections to be collected and uploaded onto Turnitin by one member of the team. It will be assessed on the following criteria:

Research viability

Significance of the topic

Methodology

Clarity of ideas and incorporation of feedback

Relevance and significance of the works listed and details in the Bibliography

Grammar and spelling

Rubrics will be available in ilearn

The two hour weekly seminars will involve a range of activities designed to explore the academic research process and methods. Students' participation will be graded on the level of engagement witnessed in the seminars.  They include participation in discussions facilitated by the lecturer, general questions asked during the seminar hours and involvement in set activities. Constructive feedback to proposals during the presentations in weeks 11 and 12 will count towards the marks. Participation is expected to be well considered and relevant to the unit of study.  Rubrics in ilearn.