50227 Media, Information and Society

Handbook description

This subject introduces current theoretical approaches to the study of the fields of communication and information, and compares and contrasts some of the major paradigms in use in the analysis of the issues in the communication and information environments in which we live. The subject helps students understand the range of social science and social and cultural theoretical approaches relevant to the field, including liberal pluralism, Marxist and post-Marxist approaches, post-modernist and post-structuralist approaches, as well as those helpful in taking a user-oriented approach to communication and information, such as cognitive science and interpretive-constructivist traditions.

In order to anchor these theoretical approaches, the subject concentrates on one or two of the major issues introduced in the subject Communication and Information Environments, e.g. questions of globalisation and national identity in relation to communication and information, questions of power and access, especially in relation to cultural diversity, and freedom of information and censorship. The theoretical paradigms are compared and contrasted in terms of their historical origins, their epistemological soundness, and their effectiveness as methodologies for investigating problems and issues in the field.

Subject objectives/outcomes

On completion of this subject students are expected to have:

1. developed a critical awareness of the historical context in which relevant theoretical paradigms have emerged
2. developed insights into how they might critically evaluate the usefulness of paradigms for analysing different sets of issues
3. developed the ability to detect paradigmatic approaches when they have not been made evident by scholars and others
4. achieved a degree of recognition and control over their own paradigmatic approaches to the field, so that their own developing scholarship will be more fruitful and sound.

Contribution to graduate profile

This subject contributes to the student's ability to understand the theoretical approaches to the study of the fields of communication and information, and to compare and contrast some of the major paradigms in use in the analysis of the issues in the communication and information environments. The subject helps students understand the range of social science and social and cultural theoretical approaches relevant to the field This knowledge and understanding is a fundamental component of an undergraduate degree in the field of communication.

Teaching and learning strategies

Student participation, individually and in groups, is strongly emphasised in this subject. The learning process includes reading, lectures, tutorials, leading tutorial discussions and developing critical thinking skills.

There is a Media, Information and Society Reader. Please obtain this by purchasing from the UTS Union Shop on level 3 of Building 1 (opening hours: 9am-6pm Monday to Friday) or use a copy from Closed Reserve at the UTS City campus library.

UTSOnline is used to provide resources and to facilitate your communication with each other and with your tutor. Please ensure you are enrolled using your UTS email address.

There are 13 weekly lectures of one hour's duration. These lectures use the recommended and supplementary readings as a starting point for an analysis of the week's topic. You should have completed all of the required reading before the lecture in order to gain maximum benefit from it.

There is a weekly tutorial of 90 minutes duration. It will focus on discussion of the week's subject matter in light of the required and supplementary readings, the lectures and any other material the students or tutor might consider relevant.

Content

This subject introduces contemporary theoretical approaches to the Australian study of the fields of media, communication and information, by linking them to the major historical paradigms used in the analysis of the communication and information environments in which we live. The subject will help students understand the range of theoretical approaches in the humanities and social sciences that are relevant to the field, including liberal pluralism, Marxism and post-Marxism, post-modernism and post-structuralism, and cognitive science and interpretive-constructivist approaches.

In order to anchor this exploration, the subject will concentrate on a limited number of major issues introduced in Communication and Information Environments, e.g. questions of collective identity and globalisation; cultural diversity, power and access; and freedom of information and expression. The theoretical paradigms will be compared and contrasted in terms of their historical origins, their epistemological soundness, and their effectiveness as methodologies for investigating problems and issues in the field.

Assessment

Assessment item 1: Critical thinking exercise (individually assessed)

Assessment item 2: Tutorial discussion leadership (group assessment)

Assessment item 3: Critical thinking essay(individually assessed)

Minimum requirements

Students are expected to read the subject outline to ensure they are familiar with the subject requirements. Since class discussion and participation in activities form an integral part of this subject, you are expected to attend, arrive punctually and actively participate in classes. If you experience difficulties meeting this requirement, please contact your lecturer. Students who have a reason for extended absence (e.g. illness) may be required to complete additional work to ensure they achieve the subject objectives.

Attendance is particularly important in this subject because it is based on a collaborative approach which involves essential workshopping and interchange of ideas. Students who attend fewer than ten classes are advised that their final work will not be assessed and that they are likely to fail the subject.

Indicative references

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Hall, S., Crichter, C., Jefferson, T., Clarke, J. & Roberts, B. 1978, 'The Social Production of News' in their Policing the Crisis: Mugging, the State and Law and Order, Macmillan, London, pp. 53-77.

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Olsson, M. 1999, 'Discourse: a New Theoretical Framework for Examining Information Behaviour in its Social Context', in Wilson, T.D. & Allen, D.K. , eds, Exploring the Contexts of Information Behaviour, Taylor Graham, London, pp.136-149.

Tuominen, K., Talja, S., and Savolainen, R. 2001, 'Multiperspective digital libraries: The implications of constructionism for the development of digital libraries', paper presented at the Nordic and International Colloquium on Social and Cultural Awareness and Responsibility in Library, Information and Documentation Studies (SCARLID), 13-14 December 2001, Oulu, Finland.

Dervin, B. 1989, Users as research inventions: how research categories perpetuate inequities. Journal of Communication, vol. 39, no.3, pp.216-232.

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