IA3101 - Media and Race Relations

Credit points:	03
Year:	2012
Student Contribution Band:	Band 1
Administered by:	School of Indigenous Australian Studies

Available to all undergraduate degree students.

This subject explores race relations within the context of the Australian media, past and present. The subject deals with the nature of racial consciousness represented by the media, in particular, the role media plays in influencing individual and community perceptions of racial difference and cultural diversity. Students will explore the power of language and visual representation and the subsequent impact of stereotyping, cultural bias, and both negative and positive portrayal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as other ethnic groups. Students will be introduced to issues through online learning activities including e-mail, digital media and reading materials. Therefore it is essential that students have access to the World Wide Web to complete this subject. Students should note that this is a third year subject and successful completion of some second year subjects is advisable prior to enrolling in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse the ways in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ethnic groups are represented by various media;
• Discuss the impact of media representation and societal attitudes towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ethnic groups;
• Discuss the historical context of Australian media and race relations; and it impact on contemporary concepts of Reconciliation and multiculturalism;
• Critically analyse examples of positive and negative representation of cultural diversity in Australian media.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments, and to reason and deploy evidence clearly and logically;
• An understanding of the economic, legal, ethical, social and cultural issues involved in the use of information;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The acquisition of coherent and disciplined sets of skills, knowledge, values and professional ethics from at least one discipline area;
• The ability to read complex and demanding texts accurately, critically and insightfully.

Availabilities
External, Study Period 1
Census Date 22-Mar-2012
Coord/Lect:	Dr Felecia Watkin.
Method of Delivery:	WWW - LearnJCU
Assessment:	written critique (50%); major essay (50%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.