Media Public Policy

Aims and objectives

The aim of this subject is to provide students with a deep awareness of the social, political, economic and cultural factors that help shape and determine public policy in the area of media and communications in a digital age.

Teaching methods

Lectures and tutorials

Assessment

Class presentation 20%, Major Essay 60%, Participation/Attendance 20%

Generic skills outcomes

Students are expected to develop a number of graduate attributes, resulting in graduates who are:

• Capable in their chosen professional areas
• Entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
• Operate effectively and ethically in work and community situations
• Adaptable and manage change
• Aware of local and international environments.
  Students are expected to develop the following generic skills:
• Research skills
• Logical and critical thinking skills
• Thinking in theoretical terms
• Appreciation of the history of ideas
• Awareness of personal and ethical values
• Written communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Competence to use library and other information sources
• Public speaking skills
• Teamwork skills
• Ability to elicit information from others
• Planning skills
• Time management skills
• Ability to use computers
• Preparation for thesis work

Content

Students will be introduced to the evolution of media public policy in Australia and in selected overseas nations. Starting with traditional media forms such as print and broadcast, the subject investigates the historical circumstances which have shaped the development of public policy in the past five decades. It then proceeds to examine public policy issues involving converged new media forms with telecommunications industry links and the questions that arise out of the regulation of the Internet, and video and computer games, in particular.