CYB114 Understanding Media Industries
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: | CYB114 |
|---|---|
| Equivalent(s): | CYB102 |
| 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: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | CYB114 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | CYB102 |
| Coordinator: | Amanda Lotz | amanda.lotz@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit introduces the core concepts, analytical frameworks, and professional practices necessary to understand how the media industries operate as complex economic and cultural phenomena. This includes a comprehensive overview of media industry structures and functions, production and distribution processes, regulatory and technological conditions, ecological implications, and labour practices. You will also explore the political, economic, and cultural foundations of the media industries in national, regional, and global contexts. You will engage with media industry professionals as guests where appropriate to establish a capacity for the subsequent study of and employability in the media industries.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe and explain the theoretical and practical implications of the media and entertainment industries in political, economic, and social contexts
- Identify, compare, and contrast media industry structures and functions, production and distribution processes, regulatory and technological conditions, and labour practices
- Apply key analytical frameworks and media industries scholarship to explain the political, economic, and cultural significance of the media industries
- Demonstrate professional communication and collaboration skills when working in a team
Content
This unit may address:
- The political, economic, and cultural foundations of the media industries
- Business models in the media industries
- The relationships between media production, distribution, and consumption
- Power dynamics in the media industries
- Labour politics in the media industries
- Sustainability and the media industries
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in lectures, tutorials and self-study. In lectures, you will learn foundational knowledge of, and critical perspectives on, media industries. In tutorials you will apply your understanding in activities and discussions. You must prepare for tutorials by engaging with the lecture material and completing any prescribed reading in advance.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your progressive understanding of key issues and debates in weekly tutorials. You will be provided with a Criterion Referenced Assessment sheet for all assessment that will explain your assessment’s achievement. Furthermore, you will be given verbal feedback on assessment where appropriate.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessment tasks. You will demonstrate your understanding of the key terminology and operational logics of the media industries through a weekly applied assessment of your engagement with unit material; the Analysis Workbook practices application of concepts to cases of media to strengthen analytic skills; the Final Examination tests knowledge and analysis capacity in regard to understanding of the media and communication industries. The Demonstration and Analysis Workbook activities are designed to scaffold student learning and ensure regular preparation for the Final Examination.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Demonstration
This unit introduces students to the key terminology and business dynamics that structure the media and communication industries. Applied understanding of this essential knowledge requires routine demonstration of engagement with unit concepts and systematic practice of complex reasoning and analytic skills to prepare you for the final examination. You will demonstrate your preparation and understanding of unit concepts by completing a weekly task(s) in scheduled learning activity times. Detailed information about demonstration requirements will be available on Canvas.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Analysis Workbook
This 4-part workbook requires students to complete a set of media industry analysis activities. Each workbook entry will require students to engage with a piece of media (available on Canvas) and prepare a written analysis of approximately 500 words. The Workbook is designed as an opportunity for students to routinely demonstrate comprehension of unit concepts and practice analytic skills in a series of low-stakes submissions. Workbook entries will form the basis of tutorial discussion that will verify student learning and provide opportunity for peer and teacher feedback.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Examination
You will complete a final 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.
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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.
You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.
Resources
This unit has required readings. All available readings and other learning resources will be posted to the unit’s Canvas page. The required text book cannot be made available in its entirety.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Lotz, A.D. and Havens, T. Media Industries in the Digital Age. Polity Press 2024.
Recommended text(s)
Hesmondhalgh, D. (2007). The Cultural Industries. 2nd Edition. (London: Sage).
Other
To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
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.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Identify, develop, and sustain effective and responsible leadership strategies and teamwork skills that generate value for yourself and others.
Relates to: ULO4, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook - Identify, develop, and sustain effective professional networks in the media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO2, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination
Unit Outline: Summer 2026, Online
| Unit code: | CYB114 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Equivalent: | CYB102 |
Overview
This unit introduces the core concepts, analytical frameworks, and professional practices necessary to understand how the media industries operate as complex economic and cultural phenomena. This includes a comprehensive overview of media industry structures and functions, production and distribution processes, regulatory and technological conditions, ecological implications, and labour practices. You will also explore the political, economic, and cultural foundations of the media industries in national, regional, and global contexts. You will engage with media industry professionals as guests where appropriate to establish a capacity for the subsequent study of and employability in the media industries.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe and explain the theoretical and practical implications of the media and entertainment industries in political, economic, and social contexts
- Identify, compare, and contrast media industry structures and functions, production and distribution processes, regulatory and technological conditions, and labour practices
- Apply key analytical frameworks and media industries scholarship to explain the political, economic, and cultural significance of the media industries
- Demonstrate professional communication and collaboration skills when working in a team
Content
This unit may address:
- The political, economic, and cultural foundations of the media industries
- Business models in the media industries
- The relationships between media production, distribution, and consumption
- Power dynamics in the media industries
- Labour politics in the media industries
- Sustainability and the media industries
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in lectures, tutorials and self-study. In lectures, you will learn foundational knowledge of, and critical perspectives on, media industries. In tutorials you will apply your understanding in activities and discussions. You must prepare for tutorials by engaging with the lecture material and completing any prescribed reading in advance.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive feedback on your progressive understanding of key issues and debates in weekly tutorials. You will be provided with a Criterion Referenced Assessment sheet for all assessment that will explain your assessment’s achievement. Furthermore, you will be given verbal feedback on assessment where appropriate.
Assessment
Overview
There are three assessment tasks. You will demonstrate your understanding of the key terminology and operational logics of the media industries through a weekly applied assessment of your engagement with unit material; the Analysis Workbook practices application of concepts to cases of media to strengthen analytic skills; the Final Examination tests knowledge and analysis capacity in regard to understanding of the media and communication industries. The Demonstration and Analysis Workbook activities are designed to scaffold student learning and ensure regular preparation for the Final Examination.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Demonstration
This unit introduces students to the key terminology and business dynamics that structure the media and communication industries. Applied understanding of this essential knowledge requires routine demonstration of engagement with unit concepts and systematic practice of complex reasoning and analytic skills to prepare you for the final examination. You will demonstrate your preparation and understanding of unit concepts by completing a weekly task(s) in scheduled learning activity times. Detailed information about demonstration requirements will be available on Canvas.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Assessment: Analysis Workbook
This 4-part workbook requires students to complete a set of media industry analysis activities. Each workbook entry will require students to engage with a piece of media (available on Canvas) and prepare a written analysis of approximately 500 words. The Workbook is designed as an opportunity for students to routinely demonstrate comprehension of unit concepts and practice analytic skills in a series of low-stakes submissions. Workbook entries will form the basis of tutorial discussion that will verify student learning and provide opportunity for peer and teacher feedback.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Final Examination
You will complete a final 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.
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.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages.
You will be advised if a unit requires additional mandatory health and safety inductions.
Resources
This unit has required readings. All available readings and other learning resources will be posted to the unit’s Canvas page. The required text book cannot be made available in its entirety.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Lotz, A.D. and Havens, T. Media Industries in the Digital Age. Polity Press 2024.
Recommended text(s)
Hesmondhalgh, D. (2007). The Cultural Industries. 2nd Edition. (London: Sage).
Other
To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
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.KC40 Bachelor of Communication
- Demonstrate capacity to understand and critique the historical, cultural, technological, and regulatory implications of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply specialised knowledge of one or more areas of digital media, entertainment, communication, and news industries, including the relationship between disciplinary theory, research methodologies, and professional practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Demonstrate capacity to engage with and apply diverse ways of knowing the world in local and global contexts, including Indigenous Knowledge and Perspectives.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Demonstrate effective communication skills with the ability to adapt strategies across different media and professional settings and for diverse audiences.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO4, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Critically interrogate the economic and cultural power of digital media, communication, entertainment, and news to make ethical, sustainable, and inclusive contributions to diverse workplaces, communities, and audiences.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination - Identify, develop, and sustain effective and responsible leadership strategies and teamwork skills that generate value for yourself and others.
Relates to: ULO4, Demonstration, Analysis Workbook - Identify, develop, and sustain effective professional networks in the media and communication industries.
Relates to: ULO2, Analysis Workbook, Final Examination