CYD113 Living in a Media World
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CYD113 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | CYB113 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $2,174 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: College 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CYD113 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | CYB113 |
| Coordinator: | Jake Fox | jake.fox@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces you to the dynamic and evolving field of Media Studies. It looks at how various traditions of knowledge have sought to better understand the relationship between media and society. It corrects prevailing myths about media power and develops basic skills for engaging with different types of media. For example, how have scholars evaluated, measured, and theorised the impact of mass media forms such as print, television, and the internet on social and political life? Do “new” media and technologies demand to be understood in new ways, or can we utilise older systems of thought to better understand today’s rapidly changing media world? As future communication professionals, it is crucial that you understand the key concepts, debates, and conversations that have shaped your discipline.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an applied understanding of core concepts, debates, and theories in the academic discipline of Media Studies
- Develop foundational critical thinking, reading and research skills, and professional dialogue capabilities
- Develop a broad understanding of the relationship between media and society
- Outline and discuss the role of media in modern human history, including the variety of ways in which media have been institutionally organised, governed, and used
Content
Topics explored in this unit include:
- The history of media studies
- The various scholars, schools of thought, and traditions of knowledge that have sought to understand the relationship between media and society
- Core concepts, debates, and theories in the study of media and technologies
- How media studies is practiced in non-academic contexts, such as in Indigenous knowledge systems
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a flipped approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with eContent and weekly scheduled classes. eContent will be provided on your Canvas site for you to self-directedly engage with before your classes. It could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During your weekly classes you will further explore the key concepts in a collaborative environment where your voice is valued. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:
- general comments provided verbally in class
- feedback from peers in your tutorials
- general comments provided via the unit's Canvas website
- comments about individual progress included on criteria sheets for summative assessment
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments for this unit. They require you to demonstrate your grasp of essential unit readings, your engagement with in-class discussions, and your ability to write and communicate in an academic context.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Case study
This assessment asks you to create a digital portfolio of selected media examples that you encounter in everyday environments. You will also analyse how each of the selected examples creates meaning using a given structure and theories from the Weeks 1 – 6 of this unit. In addition, you will deliver an oral presentation in class and respond to questions from your peers.
The Digital Portfolio assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Final Examination
You will complete a final invigilated examination that will test your understanding and application of key concepts and principles from the unit. Material for the examination will be drawn from lectures, readings, and tutorial activities.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Carah, Nicholas. 2021. Media & Society: Power, Platforms & Participation [Second Edition]. London: Sage Publications.
Risk Assessment Statement
Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.IF06 Diploma in Creative Industries
- Demonstrate broad, coherent theoretical knowledge for creative enterprise, career development and interdisciplinary collaborations in the Creative Industries sector
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, Case study, Final Examination - Apply critical and creative thinking, digital literacy and problem solving skills to identify, analyse and evaluate a range of authentic creative enterprise issues
Relates to: ULO2, Case study - Communicate effectively using a range of forms across different professional settings and diverse audiences.
Relates to: Case study
Unit Outline: College Summer 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CYD113 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | CYB113 |
Overview
This unit introduces students to the dynamic and evolving field of Media Studies. It looks at how various traditions of knowledge have sought to better understand the relationship between media and society. It corrects prevailing myths about media power and develops basic skills for engaging with different types of media. For example, how have scholars evaluated, measured, and theorised the impact of mass media forms such as print, television, and the internet on social and political life? Do “new” media and technologies demand to be understood in new ways, or can we utilise older systems of thought to better understand today’s rapidly changing media world? As future communication professionals, it is crucial that you understand the key concepts, debates, and conversations that have shaped your discipline.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate an applied understanding of core concepts, debates, and theories in the academic discipline of Media Studies
- Develop foundational critical thinking, reading and research skills, and professional dialogue capabilities
- Develop a broad understanding of the relationship between media and society
- Outline and discuss the role of media in modern human history, including the variety of ways in which media have been institutionally organised, governed, and used
Content
Topics explored in this unit include:
- The history of media studies
- The various scholars, schools of thought, and traditions of knowledge that have sought to understand the relationship between media and society
- Core concepts, debates, and theories in the study of media and technologies
- How media studies is practiced in non-academic contexts, such as in Indigenous knowledge systems
Learning Approaches
This unit takes a flipped approach to learning and teaching. You will be provided with eContent and weekly scheduled classes. eContent will be provided on your Canvas site for you to self-directedly engage with before your classes. It could include videos, readings, self-reflection and/or peer activities designed to enhance your learning experience. During your weekly classes you will further explore the key concepts in a collaborative environment where your voice is valued. After your weekly classes, you should continue to engage with unit resources to ensure you consolidate your understanding of unit content.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback on your progress in this unit will be provided in various ways, including:
- general comments provided verbally in class
- feedback from peers in your tutorials
- general comments provided via the unit's Canvas website
- comments about individual progress included on criteria sheets for summative assessment
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessments for this unit. They require you to demonstrate your grasp of essential unit readings, your engagement with in-class discussions, and your ability to write and communicate in an academic context.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Critical engagement and professional dialogue
This task requires you to demonstrate your developing critical communication skills and capacity for professional dialogue through a series of formal peer group exercises within your tutorial sessions. Exercises will relate to unit content, readings and key concepts and expectations for how you contribute will be clearly outlined in the assessment criteria sheet.
Assessment: Case Study Analysis
You will demonstrate your understanding of core concepts, debates, and/or theories from the unit by applying them to a real world case study. You will critique a draft social media strategy and then use creativity and research skills (including the Gen AI Copilot platform) to transform it into an effective strategy. Your submission will include the prompts or inputs you used in Copilot, the AI outputs, and your commentary on how your AI output improved the social media strategy.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Examination
You will complete a final invigilated examination that will test your understanding and application of key terminology and ideas from the unit. Material for the examination will be drawn from lectures, readings, and tutorial activities.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Carah, Nicholas. 2021. Media & Society: Power, Platforms & Participation [Second Edition]. London: Sage Publications.
Risk Assessment Statement
Please be advised that this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matters that may be considered confronting, such as certain representations of race, class, gender and violence. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.