Course Title: Media Cultures 2
Part A: Course Overview
Course Title: Media Cultures 2
Credit Points: 12.00
Terms
Course Code |
Campus |
Career |
School |
Learning Mode |
Teaching Period(s) |
COMM2302 |
City Campus |
Undergraduate |
345H Media and Communication |
Face-to-Face |
Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2011, Sem 2 2011, Sem 1 2012, Sem 2 2012, Sem 1 2013, Sem 2 2013, Sem 1 2014 |
Course Coordinator: Aaron McLoughlin
Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9817
Course Coordinator Email: aaron.mcloughlin@rmit.edu.au
Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities
FOR BA(AIM):
Pre-requisites for this course from within the program:
- Media Cultures 1
- Design Studio 1
Other courses in the first year of the program building capabilities relevant to this course:
- Media Cultures 1
- Design Studio 1&2
- Imaging 1&2
- Design 1&2
FOR BA(GAMES):
*Or, if enrolled in the Games degree programs, the following pre-requisites and Co-requisites apply:
Pre-requisites for this course from within the program
- Games Studio 1 & 2
Other courses in the first year of the program building capabilities relevant to this course.
- Media Cultures 1
- Games Studio 1 & 2
- Imaging 1&2
Course Description
This course builds on knowledge and skills gained in Media Cultures 1 enabling you to develop an understanding of the theory and practice of time based arts and digital media.
The course will explore the interrelation of art and technology by illustrating the evolution of digital media. Historical and theoretical perspectives of digital and time-based media will be explored including present and future concepts.
As a means of applying these theoretical and historical perspectives, this course will also explore the theory and practice of writing and conceptual development techniques to suit a range of media.
Throughout the course, you will develop methodologies of storytelling and narrative structures for media. You will build a solid foundation of ideas, methods and techniques as well as professional formats for presentation, which will have a deep and broad impact on the way you approach, work on and develop future multimedia projects.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to:
a. Develop original content through heightened conceptual and idea generation processes suitable for multimedia productions.
b. Refine your critical and analytical capacity to evaluate content and structure in linear
narrative, interactive and networked publications.
c. Develop narrative storytelling techniques within interactive, animation and video works.
d. Develop a writing routine by maintaining writing journals.
e. Develop skills to confidently interact with peers in group presentations and critiques.
f. Demonstrate critical and analytical abilities.
g. Understand the relationship and influences between art and technology.
h. Analyse the technological developments of the modern world and understand how they are linked to earlier media forms.
i. Acquire knowledge and critically evaluate major economic, aesthetic, technological, cultural and theoretical developments in world cinema.
j. Analyse different ways in which cinema has responded to moments in history of crisis and transformation as well as technological developments.
k. Understand the complex ways in which cinema is an industry, an entertainment, a technology, an art form and an object of study and be able to apply this knowledge to the historical study of cinema.
.
Overview of Learning Activities
The learning approach in this course will be student-centred and project-based. You will be expected to utilise the processes of lateral, analytical and critical thinking, both at an individual and group level through critiques, reviews and discussions.
The exploration of existing models, theories and paradigms will be essential, allowing you to develop your knowledge base of creative strategies. You will further enhance your knowledge through practical application, providing both creative and conceptual solutions to multimedia problems.
This course is delivered in two separate modules:
Writing & Performance
In a series of weekly workshops, demonstrations, group discussions, critiques and tutorials, you will engage in brainstorming, planning and problem solving activities that encourage self-reflection and risk taking within the creative processes. Class feedback is of critical importance, not only for presenting your work, but also for the feedback participants. This encourages communication in both directions, involving both “writer” and “audience”, and is a great aid to the deepening and refining of ideas and gaining an appreciation of the requirements of the writer-audience relationship.
Media Theory
Following a weekly lecture, a group discussion will be held to discuss the weekly topic. You will be expected to prepare and contribute by activating discussion via formal presentations and by participating in discussion. To develop your selection and analytical skills, the use of video clips will be actively encouraged.
Overview of Learning Resources
Many of the resources you will be expected to use are computer-based or computer peripherals and these resources will be provided in the school’s computer laboratories.
You may need to use digital content acquisition tools such as cameras and sound recording equipment: these will be available for student-loan; you will organize the loan of such equipment yourself from the school’s equipment store.
You should make uses of wider university resources such as its libraries, its print and audio-visual collections and, if appropriate, the University’s Learning Skills Unit.
Some course components may be presented in lecture theatres. You will be advised of the time and lecture theatre location of such presentations.
Media Theory classes will mostly be held in a lecture theatre.
Overview of Assessment
Overview of Assessment
Assessment is based on progressive assessment briefs, and class exercises. In completing the assessment briefs, you must demonstrate the knowledge acquired through the planned learning experience.
Assessment will progress through each development stage and you will receive feedback through a written feedback sheet, and participation in group critiques (formal and informal).
Assessment for Media Cultures 1 as delivered in Bachelor of Arts (Animation & Interactive Media) is as follows:
Writing and Performance:
- Classroom Activities / Written Report: 50%
Media Theory:
- Lecture Series 1: 25%
- Lecture Series 2: 25%