CMS3012 Theories and Discourses of Power

Contents

• Staffing
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

SYNOPSIS

This course examines the institutional and rhetorical structuring of communication in the exercise of power and control in society. The mechanisms by which communicative interactions contribute to social integration, maintenance or subversion of relations of dominance and subordination, privilege and disadvantage will be considered in the context of competing theoretical frameworks making explanatory claims with respect to these phenomena.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students will have:

1.

an appreciation of the range of ways in which communication affects social control;

2.

an ability to conduct a library search on a topic of their own choosing;

3.

an ability to critically assess particular communicative situations in terms of their social power relations and their ethical implications;

4.

an understanding of the theories and concepts relating to communication and social control.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

Ancillary Course Material: http://www.usq.edu.au/course/material/CMS2011/

Gerbner, G, Mowlana, H & Schiller, H (eds) 1996, Invisible crises: what conglomerate control of media means for America and the world, Westview Press, Boulder.

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

This asessment item relates to Objectives 1 & 3.

2.

This asessment item relates to Objective 2.

3.

This asessment item relates to Objective 4.

4.

This asessment item relates to Objective 1 & 3.

5.

This asessment item relates to Objective 4.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this external course. However, it is the student's responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/make-up work is granted, it would have to be submitted by the date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.