Task
An essay of 2000 words that answers one question from the following list of six options and includes reference to:
- Compulsory unit of study readings – unlimited
- Other academic sources – three to six (this may or may not include unit of study recommended readings)
- Media examples – unlimited
Why are the number of additional academic sources limited? As first year students you are still learning to research and this is to encourage you to find the most relevant sources and research deeply, rather than just cherry pick from all over the place.
Questions
- “The digital creative economy depends on the belief that social media work is easy and potentially profitable” (Duffy and Wissinger, 2017). Evaluate this statement with reference to celebrity and influencers within the realities of the Australian digital media economy.
- Facebook argues regulation of digital platforms in Australia would result in restricted access to online services. Why should such regulatory bodies as the ACCC and ACMA have authority over the Australian operations of international companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon and Netflix?
- “Social media activism and innovation can be a double-edged sword, as Indigenous activists are exposed to racist discourse and traumatic content online and often experience direct threats of violence” (Carlson, Dreher, 2018). Discuss this statement with reference to media activism and the role of Australian regulatory bodies.
- Australian laws and regulations that promote and support the production and distribution of Australian media content are archaic and ineffectual within a global media landscape. Discuss.
- Regulation vs self-regulation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both systems for the protection of rights and privacy of Australian media users in a diverse and fragmented media landscape?
- Within a year of passage of the Federal Government’s media reform laws Channel Nine successfully launched a takeover bid for Fairfax Media, intensifying the concentration of media ownership in Australia even further. What are the arguments for further media reform to ensure greater diversity and plurality of voices in the Australian media landscape?
Expectations
Your essay answer is expected to use analytical writing and accurate and complete APA 6th edition style in-text references and reference list. For anonymous marking, you are expected to ONLY use your student identification number (SID) in the assignment file name and file contents.
Alignment with learning outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate disciplinary literacy in media political economy.
- Students are expected to research and analyse policy and regulatory practices in at least one Australian media sector.
- Students will be able to communicate learning outcomes in diverse formats including discussion and debate in lectures and tutorials, conceptual media production, and academic writing.
Learning support
Regular and systematic discussion of the unit of study materials in the weekly lectures and tutorials (Weeks 1-12) will assist you in developing proficiency in researching and analysing policy and regulatory practices in Australian media and communications. In addition, to successfully complete this task, there will be opportunities to discuss your essay topic, and draft arguments, in tutorials.
Essay writing resources
The Learning Centre’s ‘Help Yourself’ guide to writing essays: http://sydney.edu.au/stuserv/learning_centre/help/writing/writing.shtmlLinks to an external site.
Alternatively, Eugenia Lee came across this fun and engaging essay writing resource for those of you looking around for some extra guidance and inspiration: https://www.timsquirrell.com/blog/how-to-write-undergraduate-essays (Links to an external site.)
The recommended APA6th Style Guide for referencing is available here: APA referencing guide
The finalised essay is to be submitted as a word doc or docx through the Assignments tab on the homepage of the MECO1002 Canvas site
Academic honesty
While the University is aware that the vast majority of students and staff act ethically and honestly, it is opposed to and will not tolerate academic dishonesty or plagiarism and will treat all allegations of dishonesty seriously.
Further information on academic honesty, academic dishonesty, and the resources available to all students can be found on the academic integrity pages on the current students website: https://sydney.edu.au/students/academic-integrity.html.
Further information for on research integrity and ethics for postgraduate research students and students undertaking research-focussed coursework such as Honours and capstone research projects can be also be found on the current students website: https://sydney.edu.au/students/research-integrity-ethics.html.
Compliance statement
In submitting this work, I acknowledge I have understood the following:
- I have read and understood the University of Sydney's Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015.
- The work is substantially my own and where any parts of this work are not my own I have indicated this by acknowledging the source of those parts of the work and enclosed any quoted text in quotation marks.
- The work has not previously been submitted in part or in full for assessment in another unit unless I have been given permission by my unit of study coordinator to do so.
- The work will be submitted to similarity detection software (Turnitin) and a copy of the work will be retained in Turnitin's paper repository for future similarity checking. Note: work submitted by postgraduate research students for research purposes is not added to Turnitin's paper repository.
- Engaging in plagiarism or academic dishonesty in coursework will, if detected, lead to the University commencing proceedings under the Academic Honesty in Coursework Policy 2015 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016.
- Engaging in plagiarism or academic dishonesty in research-focussed work will lead to the University commencing proceedings under the Research Code of Conduct 2013 and the Academic Honesty Procedures 2016.
- Engaging another person to complete part or all of the submitted work will, if detected, lead to the University commencing proceedings against me for potential student misconduct under the University of Sydney (Student Discipline) Rule 2016.
Rubric
Essay
Essay
| Criteria | Ratings | Pts |
|---|
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDefinition of problem Definition of problem or issue in context | | 8.0 to >7.0 pts HD Insightful and articulate. Analyses a context by consulting a suitably broad range of informational sources, identifies and appropriately frames a problem or issue within that context, gives a detailed and clear definition of the problem or issue, explains why this problem or issue matters, sets out criteria against which to measure possible solutions. | 7.0 to >6.0 pts DI Provides an informative definition of the problem or issue, shows that the problem or issue is situated in a context, shows understanding of the main features of that context and explains why these matter, defines key terms, identifies desirable features of possible solutions. | 6.0 to >5.0 pts CR Provides a basic definition of the problem or issue, and shows that the problem or issue is situated in a context. | 5.0 to >4.0 pts PS Describes the problem or issue. | 4.0 to >0 pts FL |
| 8.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCritical questioning Critical questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions | | 8.0 to >7.0 pts HD Open-minded and intellectually rigorous. Critically examines received ideas, evaluates the credibility and the methodology of experts, engages with competing views from various historical, intercultural and interdisciplinary perspectives, locates and assesses new evidence. | 7.0 to >6.0 pts DI Questions received ideas, evidence and assumptions, engages with the work of genuine experts, critiques fallacious rhetoric, engages in rational argument, assesses currently available evidence, provides evidence to justify conclusions. | 6.0 to >5.0 pts CR Recognises that ideas, evidence and assumptions need to be examined, shows awareness of differences in perspective, shows sensitivity to possible bias and error, seeks out those who have knowledge and expertise. | 5.0 to >4.0 pts PS Listens to and understands the ideas of others. | 4.0 to >0 pts FL |
| 8.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeArgument Creation and evaluation arguments | | 8.0 to >7.0 pts HD Creative and judicious. Generates original arguments, tests via reasoning, evaluates creatively. | 7.0 to >6.0 pts DI Generates original arguments, shows reasoning and some evaluation | 6.0 to >5.0 pts CR Recognises and develops existing arguments, demonstrating reasoning and offering evaluation. | 5.0 to >4.0 pts PS Identifies and understandsarguments put forward by others. | 4.0 to >0 pts FL |
| 8.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusions Formulation of defensible conclusions and best possible solutions | | 8.0 to >7.0 pts HD Wise and decisive. Decides on the balance of the evidence, formulates conclusion or solution clearly in their own words, identifies the proper scope and significance of the conclusion explains why this conclusion or solution is best. | 7.0 to >6.0 pts DI Offers a conclusion based on engagement with the relevant evidence, defends this solution or conclusion in light of relevant evaluative criteria. | 6.0 to >5.0 pts CR Formulates basic conclusions. | 5.0 to >4.0 pts PS Recognises conclusions offered by others. | 4.0 to >0 pts FL |
| 8.0 pts |
| This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePresentation Grammar, spelling and APA6th referencing | | 8.0 to >7.0 pts HD Grammar and spelling are correct throughout with no errors and referencing is correct in APA 6th style, following task guidelines as to the number and nature of sources used. | 7.0 to >6.0 pts DI Grammar and spelling are generally correct throughout with less than three errors and/or referencing is generally correct in APA 6th style with less than two errors, following task guidelines as to the number and nature of sources used. | 6.0 to >5.0 pts CR Grammar and spelling are generally correct throughout with no more than six errors and/or referencing is generally correct in APA 6th style with no more than three errors, following task guidelines as to the number and nature of sources used. | 5.0 to >4.0 pts PS Grammar and spelling are generally correct throughout with no more than 10 errors and/or referencing is generally correct in APA 6th style with no more than four errors and/or task guidelines as to the number and nature of sources used has not been fully adhered to. | 4.0 to >0 pts FL |
| 8.0 pts |
Total Points: 40.0 |
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