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Course Outline

INT370 Politics and the Media

Course Coordinator:Shannon Brincat (sbrincat@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2026Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

 Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Politics and the media are closely entwined. In this course you will be introduced to the way politicians seek to influence the media and you will evaluate the power the media has over populations. The impact of political advertising, media ownership, social media, surveillance, media law, and popular culture are investigated across international politics. You will investigate the coverage of foreign and international affairs and consider the constraints placed on reporting defence, terrorism, and war. Media regulation and the increasing importance of visual media/new media is also examined across a comparison of states in world politics.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 13 x 2-hour tutorials (synchronous) 2hrs Week 1 13 times
Learning materials – 13 hours LMs (asynchronous) 1hr Week 1 13 times
Online
Learning materials – Online learning materials 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly online tutorials 2hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

 

Module 1 - Media in Theory and Time: History, theory, and production of media

 

Topic 1 – Politics and the Media: Introduction and Overview

Topic 2 – Media, History and News Production

Topic 3 – Theories of Media

 

Module 2 - Media and Power: Ownership, audience, and the state

 

Topic 4 – Ownership of the Media: Regulations and Monopolies

Topic 5 – Media and Demcoracy: Elections, Citizens, and the State

Topic 6 – The Audience: Framing, data, and control

 

Module 3 - Media and Security: Conflict, Terrorism, and Surveillance

 

Topic 7 – Decoding the Media: Surveillance & Advertising

Topic 8 – Securitisation and the Media

Topic 9 – The Media and War

 

Module 4 - Media and popular culture

 

Topic 10 – TV & Film Analysis: A case-study on the Zombie genre

Topic 11 – Horror, Global Pop-Culture and World Politics

Topic 12 – Cartoons, Memes, and the Dark Web

[All topics could contain mature content]

Mature Content

Sex/Sexual references, Violence, Adult themes

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Apply theories of media, communication, and politics to real world events and problems. Empowered
2 Investigate and evaluate the impact of media on politics, and, the influence of politics on media. Creative and critical thinker
3 Critically analyse the nature and value of current international media, sources, and news items. Creative and critical thinker
4 Critically compare and contrast different media sources, evaluate content, and identify issues, themes, and biases. Empowered
Ethical
5 Communicate effectively to appropriate audience and apply referencing conventions. Knowledgeable
Empowered
Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

INT270

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early feedback is provided in Portfolio from the second week. Students will be given direct oral and written feedback on their work and their preparation and participation in the tutorial related to readings and content in classes each week.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Essay Individual 40% 
2000 words
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Portfolio Individual 30% 
150 - 200 words approx. per week over 10 weeks
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Media Analysis report
Goal: 
You will research and analyse two news items of your choice (on the same story/theme/issue but from different sources) and complete a report critically comparing and contrasting these items.
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
The report is written as a formal academic paper consistently applying a referencing style (Harvard, Oxford, or Chicago preferred) and containing a List of References (LOR).The news items (whether articles, reports, editorials, TV spots) must be included with your report, either in print or as a link.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Breadth of research on media sources; understanding and application of relevant literature.
 1 2 4
2 
Critical comparison of news items (analysis and synthesis)
 1 4
3 
Application of theories (communication/media and related concepts)
 1
4 
Written communication
 4 5
5 
Academic referencing
 3 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Essay
Goal: 
You will undertake research and write an essay that explores a media and politics issue in depth.
Product: Essay
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Academic product
2000 words
Particular attention will be focused on the inclusion of empirical data to support points and arguments made, integration of arguments with theories of media/communication, and, on the critical analysis and synthesis of materials in the essay.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
​Research and discussion of the relationship between politics and the media. Breadth of research, understanding and application of relevant literature
 2 3
2 
Evaluation of the impact of media on politics. Comprehensiveness of argument in response to question.
 1 2 3
3 
Application of theory of media and communication; use of evidence; range of sources and evidence; quality of sources and evidence
 1 4
4 
Critical evaluation and analysis of media sources (compare and contrast). Critical analysis; critical and lateral thinking; engagement with sources, theories and different viewpoints
 1 2 4
5 
Structure of essay; language /written expression; Written communication and language
 1 3 5
6 
Referencing and citations
 5
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Preparation and Participation Portfolio
Goal: 
You will complete a written portfolio documenting your engagement with readings, learning materials, tutorials, discussions and activities.
Product: Portfolio
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Format: 
From weeks 1 - 10, you will have an in-class evaluation of your tutorial engagement: 
 
Preparation for each tutorial will require: 
 
reading the required readings for the week; 
watching the online learning materials;  
completing written summaries and/or question/answer (150-200 words) each week and emailing these to the lecturer prior to the tutorial;  reflecting about the issues highlighted for discussion in the class.  
 
Discussions will take place in the tutorial which will give you the opportunity to be heard and participate in a range of learning activities.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
​Application of theory, philosophy, knowledge of media and politics
 1 2 3 4
2 
Analysis of readings and case study materials
 1 2 3 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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