Students in groups of 2 or 3 (depending on the total numbers in the tutorial class) will lead the tutorial class by addressing the question for the week mentioned in ilearn in the week's block. The activity will begin 5 minutes past the tutorial hour and last for 40 minutes in total. The time includes Q and A and class interaction.

The exercise includes explaining (to be kept to the minimum) and exploring the concepts dealt with in the week’s Readings/lecture and critically examining the issues related to the question. The week's Readings do not contain the answers to the question; the Readings detail the concepts. Group members will have together apply the concepts and come up with the answer to the question.

A 500-word summary of the presentation with a list of References is to be uploaded by any one member of the group on Turnitin, 24 hours prior to the presentation. This summary will be used by the tutor as a guide for the evaluation of the presentation. There are no separate marks for the summary. Failure to submit the summary prior to presentation may disadvantage the group as the tutor will have to rely on memory and their notes to check the structure and content and more importantly, References.

The content of the Presentation will be marked on 10; the remaining marks are for manner of presentation, including visual aids used, time management and co-ordination among members of the group. 

The total time allotted to the team (regardless of the number of members) is 40 minutes,  including the time for questions and answers/class activity and interaction. Speaking for the entire time will not be considered favourably. Class interaction must be facilitated. It can take the form of questions to the class, group discussions, debates, game shows etc.  Marking rubrics will be available in ilearn at the start of semester. It is the student’s responsibility to get in touch and remain in contact with other members of the group and arrange to work together. Tutors will not be able to provide contact details nor facilitate meetings.

The tutor may in their role as moderator, put questions to the team members during Presentation, clarify and steer discussions. This is a form of providing feedback and is not to be taken as a disruption of the activity.

The following criteria will be used in grading:

The team will be graded on

1. Content, both relating to the concepts for the week and the ways in which they are applied to the question. Academic definitions of terms will be required. Clarity, credibiltiy of the sources used, citation in slides and appropriate examples will be taken into account. Online references from Wikipedia and popular Youtube clips and definitions from dictionaries (Oxford, Webster etc) is best avoided.  Academic references are required. The suggested referencing format is Harvard or in-text referencing style. If slides are used, in-text references are required.

2. Original research: critical evaluation of contemporary media content. The analysis must be based on more than easily available Youtube clips and online sources and show evidence of critical thought.

3. Coherence: The different sections are well-connected and easy to follow.

Individual members will be graded on the following criteria:

3. Manner of presentation: creative delivery, clear expression and professional discourse, and judicious use of available time.  A very short presentation will be marked down as also one that exceeds time.

4.  Visual aids: formatting in slides and other visual aids, grammar and spelling, referencing in slides or other material distributed in class.

5. Methods to involve class participation. This may take the form of discussion questions, debates, quizzes or any other activity that stimulates thought and discussion. Emphasis is on contribution to learning.

In summary, 10 marks is for group activity and 15 for individual contribution.

The aim of the test(s) is to ensure that the concepts dealt with in the Unit have been understood adequately to facilitate application in work environments. The Lectures will be based on Readings but may contain information that is not part of the Readings. The test questions will be drawn from both the Readings and Lectures. They are not memory tests.

Three tests each for 10 per cent (totalling 30 per cent) will be held at regular intervals through out the semester. The tests will contain multiple choice questions and will open after the tutorial classes in the week on Thursdays and stay open over the weekend and till Monday.  The test is time-bound. Time has been fixed taking into account the interests of some students who may require additional time. So, please avoid making requests for extra time. Students will have to finish the tests in one sitting within the time specified. Failure to complete a test requires application for special consideration. Alternate arrangements to take a missed test will have to be discussed with the tutor. Make up tests may not be offered  till the end of the semester.

The following assessment criteria will apply:

Correct understanding of the concepts: A summary of the concepts contained in the Readings and as explained in the Lectures.

Knowledge of theories and theorists: Reference to key theories and theorists mentioned in the Readings and Lectures.

Summative assessment: 35 per cent

Answer one of the following questions in not more than 1500 words

1. Are fears of cultural imperialism justified in the age of media globalisation? Should media policy-makers be concerned with the issue? Please explain by drawing from the unit content and contemporary media.
2. Democracy rests on the media playing the role of watchdog. However, the enmeshing of the political, corporate and media sectors in neo-liberal economies have impacted greatly upon this role. Does the solution lie in media policy? If your answer is 'no', explain how then can media be expected to function as 'the fourth-estate'. If your answer is 'yes,' detail what form the policy must take.
3. Discuss how an understanding of the histories of information and communication technologies policies can contribute to our understanding of the social shaping of technology. In the context of increase in ‘fake news’, ‘alternative facts’ and political campaigns on social media, is there a need for specific policy in liberal democracies to address the issue?

You may take a case study approach or make a general argument providing appropriate examples in your answers to the above questions. Whatever the approach, evidence of reading and research and inclusion of the concepts (at least 3 concepts) dealt with in the unit, are required. The essay must meet academic requirements appropriate to a 300-level unit (This means that it must rise above a common-sensical elaboration and show evidence of academic reading and insight).

The essay may be structured thus: 

Introduction

Begin the essay with a brief theoretical reflection on the various perspectives and academic debates relevant to the issue. Draw at least three relevant concepts from the Unit content. Then select a specific aspect - a particularly contentious debate or a set of contradictions or tensions and place it in the context of media policy. Ensure that the concepts will help the exploration/ argument.

Analysis

Choose an appropriate case study or, if you are making a general argument, appropriate examples. Place it/them in the framework of the theories mentioned in the ‘introduction’ explore the various aspects, particularly the ways in which media policy addresses or fails to address contradictions or tensions. While you are not expected to conduct original research in the form of interviews or data collection, you are required to draw on academic literature (check the library database and not google) and discuss the issue analytically.

Conclusion

Assess whether and/or how policy provides (or, can provide) a solution to the challenges or fails to do so and end with your suggestions.

The essay will be graded using the following criteria:

1. Argument, substantiation and discourse: clear understanding of the concepts, references to appropriate research, credible sources. Clarity is an important requirement. This refers to effective use of discipline-specific and appropriate language.

2. Coherence and organisation: precision and interconnectedness of theory, concept and analysis. The concepts dealt with in the unit must be extended to the argument and exploration of issues.

3. Style and grammar: Clear use of language without spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.

Active participation is assessed by a student’s engagement with the unit content and delivery. t will also be gauged from students posts online.

1. Every student is required to make two original blog entries of 500 words each - one between weeks 2-7 and another between weeks 8-12. The entry will be based on a point or issues raised in tutorial discussions and will draw from unit content and external research to either elucidate or repudiate the point. It is an academic exercise. Informal writing and casual comments are unacceptable.

2. In addition to the above, every student will respond to two blog entries posted by fellow students. The response in not less than 200 words must make a significant contribution to the post. It is a good idea to respond to posts on different topics.

This is a timed assessment. Blogposts should be written within a week of the presentation. This would mean that if for instance, you are discussing the presentation in Week 4 (tutorials are on Thursdays), you have time till the following Monday to submit the post. In the above instance, work submitted after Monday of Week 5 will not be marked. In short, you cannot write posts on issues dealt with in the earlier weeks. So, please plan your submission accordingly.

Please space out your entries and responses. In other words, do not wait till Week 12 to complete the tasks.

Since the blog entries are to be based on tutorial discussions, students will have to participate in discussions facilitated by the lecturer/tutor raise questions based on presentations, make interventions and actively involve themselves in activities organised by the presenters.

Feedback will be provided by tutors on ilearn.