ALM305 - Media Ecologies
Unit details
| Year | 2027 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s) | 1 |
| Previously coded as | ALC305 |
| EFTSL value | 0.125 |
| Unit chair | Trimester 1: Toija Cinque |
| Prerequisite | Nil |
| Corequisite | Nil |
| Incompatible with | ALC305 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit enables students to explore the past, present and future of media, engaging with various approaches to understanding the complex relations between former models of mechanic and industrial media production and the continuous transformation and fragmentation of the ways in which contemporary media are produced, regulated, consumed, and interacted with. Students analyse the many ecologies of media and the environmental impact that media consumption habits and the expanding quantity and quality of media devices have upon the Earth. The unit maps the trajectory and evolution of media gadgets with a view to understanding how they translate into the actor-networks, value creation processes, and social exchanges which shape our culture today. Students identify a significant media ecosystem in consultation with teaching staff and put into practice a range of theoretical perspectives to examine the particular area/example of their choosing, resulting in an innovative project that enables the visualisation of patterns of media transformation and social interaction, and builds skills and knowledge pertinent to media theory and practice.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Demonstrate a high-level of understanding of media-related scholarship and debates, and a sophisticated critical and analytical perspective on media ecology | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO2 | Apply complex theoretical concepts to a range of social, industrial, political and cultural contexts | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO8: Global citizenship |
| ULO3 | Utilise a range of media platforms to professional standard in developing an independent project | GLO3: Digital literacy |
| ULO4 | Demonstrate a high level of communication skills in preparing a self-evaluation, literature review and substantial research project | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO5 | Demonstrate personal motivation and a high-level capacity for original thought and independent learning | GLO6: Self-management |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some units still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Student-Led Learning Forum and Peer Review Portfolio | (Part A+B) 50% Part A: (Group) Presentation/debate, 25%, 1000 words Part B: (Individual) Weekly peer-review and engagement portfolio, 25%, 1000 words or equivalent | Part A: 25% Part B: 25% Total 50% | Ongoing |
| Assessment 2: Digital Media Ecologies Research Exercise | 2000 words or equivalent | 50% | Week 12 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Hurdle requirements
To be eligible to obtain a pass in this unit, students must achieve an overall mark of at least 50% in assessment task 1, Student-Led Learning Forum and Peer Review Portfolio to evidence a minimum proficiency in the aligned discipline learning outcomes included in this unit.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ALM305 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit fee information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.