Students

MECX121 – Seeing Culture: Politics of Visual Representation

2019 – S2 OUA

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Jillian Kramer
Contact via Please contact via MQ email
10HA 191F Phone: (02) 9850 2252
Appointments via Zoom Web Conferencing or Zoom Chat (details in ilearn)
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
From the printed page to the internet, from figurative painting to digital photography, from radio to the iPod, from film to the webcam, the last hundred years have seen a radical transformation in the way ideas and values are communicated, and how we're entertained. These changes aren't just a revolution in technology, however. They have been accompanied by an even more radical transformation in how people understand their place in the world. From modem authority to post-modern multiplicity, from national identity to global fluidity, from passive consumption to interactivity, our understandings of who we are, how we relate to one another and how we identify ourselves have also been transformed. The aim of this unit, and cultural studies in general, is to introduce you to how these changes are related to one another, and how they affect the way we live, play and work. All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/

Learning Outcomes

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

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

General Assessment Information

Assessment Preparation: Over the course of this unit, you are going to explore a series of topics, ideas and activities that will not only encourage you to engage with new ways of thinking and new knowledge; they will also prepare you to complete the assessments and meet the learning outcomes of the unit. We will prepare for you to complete each assessment via the (a) weekly activities (see guide in ilearn) that engage with the unit content and (2) by sharing assessment clips that provide detailed guidance and samples in assessment forums. 

Feedback: For each assessment, you will receive individual feedback via grade book. You may also receive group feedback via the announcements and assessment clips. 

Special Consideration: If you have experienced an unavoidable and serious disruption and are unable to complete this task by the due date, please email your unit convenor and request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Submission: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests. 

Grades: In line with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, grades align with the descriptors available here

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Engagement and Collaboration 15% No Weeks 2 - 10
Visual Analysis 20% No 26 August 11:59pm (AEST)
Scholarly Reflection Task 25% No 23 September 11:59pm (AEST)
Final Essay 40% No 4 November 11:59pm (AEST)

Engagement and Collaboration

Due: Weeks 2 - 10
Weighting: 15%

In this unit, students are required to actively engage with their peers in order to develop a shared understanding of the key ideas, concepts and debates that we discuss throughout this unit.

Requirements: From week two to week ten, students are required to participate in the learning activities within the designated time frame. They must participate in two ways:

  1. First, students must post a 150-300 word response to the weekly activity.
  2. Second, students must also collaborate and encourage peer learning by commenting on at least one other student post in the weekly forum. 

The forum will be opened when the activity is posted each week on Tuesday and then closed the following Tuesday at 9am. An extended guide for this assessment is available on ilearn.

Weekly posts and comments: As you complete your weekly posts and comments, please remember that these posts should generate discussion. We do not expect you to present a 'correct' or 'perfectly formed' answer; often you will find there isn't a singular 'right' answer. Instead, we're looking for you to draw on what you've learnt in the lecture and readings to respond to the activity or question. We'd like you to add your thoughts on the key concepts, ask questions about the readings and share ideas about the topic to the discussion so that we can collaborate and help one another to understand the concepts. 

Assessment Criteria (please see full rubric on ilearn)

  1. Completion of weekly post and comment within the designated time frame 
  2. Post demonstrates engagement with the relevant lectures and required readings 
  3. Post demonstrates engagement with the relevant key concepts, debates and discussions 
  4. Comment demonstrates active engagement with peers in the learning activities 

Preparation: Please see the Engagement and Collaboration guide on ilearn to prepare for this assessment task. This guide includes a detailed outline and rationale for this assessment task and sample posts and comments.  

Submission: Weekly activities and comments will be completed in the activity forums that appear in each weekly section on ilearn.

Special Consideration: If you cannot complete a weekly activity or discussion due to unavoidable and serious disruption, please request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Assessment Penalty: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, no late submissions will be accepted as this is a timed assessment. You may chose to post your response and comments, but they may not contribute to your overall mark for this assessment.

Feedback: While a final grade for this assessment will be determined at the end of the semester, informal feedback will be offered via regular announcements and discussion posts. If you would like further feedback on how you're going with this task, please contact Jillian via her MQ email address. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).

Visual Analysis

Due: 26 August 11:59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 20%

Students are required to write a scholarly 800 word visual analysis that responds to the prompt below:

  • In Theoretical Advances to Critical Visual Analysis: Perception, Ideology, Mythologies, and Social Semiotics, Giorgia Aiello writes that 'Cultural Studies focuses on revealing how dominant cultural norms become embedded in media messages [images] in ways that allow them to be reinforced, internalised, and ultimately also become hegemonic' (2006, p. 98). Drawing on the selected advertisement available on ilearn, discuss Aiello's statement. Does this Australia Day advertisement for XXXX Beer reveal the way in which dominant cultural norms are 'reinforced, internalised' and 'become hegemonic?' 

In their essays, students are required to draw on the unit readings in order to build an argument and perform a thoughtful and well-supported analysis of advertisement. 

Students are also required to develop academic writing skills in their essays and conform to academic standards. If they have any questions about the structure of an academic essay, they should ask their tutor, raise questions on the general discussion board and use the resources available on ilearn and at mq.edu.au/learningskills. They should also include in-text referencing and attach a reference list at the end of their essay. For more information on referencing please follow the link to Macquarie University Library’s Referencing Guide here: http://libguides.mq.edu.au/Referencing.

Essays will be marked according to the following assessment criteria (please see full rubric in ilearn):

  1. Demonstrates a clear and effective grasp of relevant key concepts
  2. Demonstrates engagement with the unit readings and material
  3. Stages a well-supported analysis of relevant key concepts and the selected image 
  4. Effective use of writing skills to present academic research, including consistent and accurate use of in-text referencing

Preparation: In order to prepare to undertake this assessment, students are expected to engage in the designated assessment discussion forum. Here, they can ask questions, share their approach and will find detailed outlines and sample assessments.  

Submission: Students will submit their essay via the Turnitin link on the unit iLearn Site.

Special Consideration: If you have experienced an unavoidable and serious disruption and are unable to complete this task by the due date, please request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Penalty: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests. 

Feedback: Students will be given individual feedback in gradebook. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Scholarly Reflection Task

Due: 23 September 11:59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 25%

For this assessment, students are required to select two of their own responses to the weekly activities undertaken in the discussion forms between weeks one to seven. They are required to complete a 400-500 word scholarly reflection task for each post.

In these scholarly reflections, students are required to (a) outline the context of their post on the discussion forum, (b) demonstrate how it enhances their understanding of the key concepts or methods explored in the unit, and (c) discuss how their thoughts have developed since writing their post. Students must use appropriate academic communication methods. Both reflections must be referenced, structured and written in accordance with academic standards. 

Students can find a template for this assessment task in the Assessments and Guides Section on the ilearn page. Each post they include should be 150-300 words in length (about a paragraph). This means you may either use a full post, or an extract. The posts are not included in the word count.

This assessment task will be marked according to the following assessment criteria (see full rubric in ilearn):

  1. Well-selected sample of two of the student’s weekly responses to the activities
  2. Demonstrates a clear grasp of relevant key theoretical concepts and their context
  3. Demonstrates the ability to identify the significance and implications of relevant key concepts
  4. Demonstrates a critical engagement with relevant unit readings, cultural studies scholarship and debates
  5. Stages a thoughtful reflection on the process of learning and engaging with cultural studies scholarship
  6. Effective use of writing skills to present academic research, including consistent and accurate use of in-text referencing. 

Preparation: In order to prepare to undertake this assessment, students are expected to engage in the designated assessment discussion forum. Here, they can find a template for this assessment, ask questions, share their approach and watch a clip containing a detailed outline and samples. 

Submission: Students will submit this task via the Turnitin link on the unit iLearn Site.

Special Consideration: If you're unable to complete this task by the due date due to an unavoidable and serious disruption, please email your unit convenor and request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Penalty: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Feedback: Students will be given individual feedback via gradebook. 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Final Essay

Due: 4 November 11:59pm (AEST)
Weighting: 40%

Students are required to write a 1,500 word essay that responds to the question:

  • 'The world of images that we interact with on a daily basis is caught up in the power relations of the societies in which we live ... Just as images are both representations and producers of ideologies of their time, they are also factors in relations of power' (Sturken and Cartwright 2001, p. 72).  Using an example of your choice, that relates to one of the topics examined in this unit, critique Sturken and Cartwright's understanding of our visual culture. Are images entangled in power relations? 

In order to write their essays, students must draw on their example, academic research, several readings and the understanding of visual culture they have developed throughout the unit. They must also focus on one of the topics studied between week three and week eleven. Students should also aim to use the readings to develop a well-theorised argument that can be illustrated using detailed analysis of their chosen image.  

This assessment task will be marked according to the following assessment criteria (see full rubric in ilearn):

  1. Demonstrates the ability to deploy analytical skills in order to develop a scholarly and well-supported argument
  2. Demonstrates a clear and effective grasp of relevant key concepts
  3. Demonstrates critical and sustained engagement with the unit readings
  4. Demonstrates knowledge and critique of key issues and methods within cultural studies
  5. Ability to stage a well-supported and detailed analysis of their chosen image 
  6. Effective use of writing skills to present academic research, including consistent and accurate use of in-text referencing.

Preparation: In order to prepare to undertake this assessment, students are expected to engage in the designated assessment discussion forum. Here, they can find a template for this assessment, ask questions, share their approach and watch a clip containing a detailed outline of the task and samples. 

Submission: The final essay will be submitted via the link to turnitin on the unit ilearn site.

Special Consideration: If you have experienced an unavoidable and serious disruption and are unable to complete this task by the due date, please email your unit convenor and request Special Consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. For more information about the Special Consideration process please click here.

Late Penalty: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests. 

Feedback: Students will be given individual feedback via gradebook.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Delivery and Resources

Students will complete this unit online. At the beginning of the study period, they will find the weekly schedule listed sequentially down the ilearn page from week 1 to week 12. Listed underneath each week, they will find details about the content, lecture, a link to the unit readings and a link to the weekly activity and discussion forum.  

Unit Lectures: The lectures in this unit are PDF texts available in ilearn. They are prepared by many of the cultural studies staff in the Media, Music, Communications and Cultural Studies Department at Macquarie University.

Unit Readings: The readings for each week are available via the Macquarie University Library. A link to the readings is provided in the listing for each week. If you have trouble finding and/or accessing the readings, please search the library's online database and consult your tutor.

Weekly Activities and Discussion: At the beginning of each week, your tutor will send an announcement that introduces the weekly topic and highlights any upcoming tasks. Following the announcement, they will also post an activity for you to complete in the weekly section. These activities are designed to help you develop your understanding of the unit content. They also aim to provide a space to ask questions and interact with your peers. 

The General Discussion Forum: If you have any general questions about the unit or an assessment, and would like to share them with your peers, please start a conversation in the general discussion forum. This forum is open for everyone to start discussions, share resources and ask questions. 

The Dialogue Module: This module is available for students who would like to have private conversations with their tutor.

Policies and Procedures

Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests.

Extension Request

Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)

The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.

You need to show that the circumstances:

  1. were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
  2. were beyond your control
  3. caused substantial disruption to your academic work
  4. substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
  5. lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.

If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:

  1. Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
  2. Fill in your relevant details
  3. Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
  4. Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process

Outcome

Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.

OUA Specific Policies and Procedures

Withdrawal from a unit after the census date

You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.

If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.

If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.

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 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 ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

Creative and Innovative

Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcome

  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Visual Analysis
  • Scholarly Reflection Task
  • Final Essay

Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative

We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment task

  • Final Essay

Commitment to Continuous Learning

Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Visual Analysis
  • Final Essay

Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills

Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Visual Analysis
  • Scholarly Reflection Task
  • Final Essay

Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Visual Analysis
  • Scholarly Reflection Task
  • Final Essay

Problem Solving and Research Capability

Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Visual Analysis
  • Scholarly Reflection Task
  • Final Essay

Effective Communication

We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Critically review, analyse and synthesise findings.
  • Present work in a manner conforming to accepted academic standards.
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Visual Analysis
  • Scholarly Reflection Task
  • Final Essay

Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens

As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Visual Analysis
  • Final Essay

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Memorise basic aspects (contemporary and historical) of visual cultural studies and be able to apply them through a variety of activities and analyses.
  • Explain the politicised aspects of visual texts and Cultural Studies approaches to both their production and content (as discourses, texts, lived realities).
  • Appraise issues and debates specific to Cultural Studies practice and its associated philosophical and political underpinnings.

Assessment tasks

  • Engagement and Collaboration
  • Final Essay