COMS1012 COM155 Culture to Cultures

COMS1012 COM155 Culture to Cultures

Introduction:
The Culture to Cultures unit focuses on culture, media, and communication, exploring their dynamic and significant role in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of understanding these concepts for careers in various fields such as communications, media, creative arts, design, marketing, advertising, and PR. The unit adopts a critical intercultural communication perspective, delving into topics like identity, difference, nation, colonization, globalization, new media, and multiculturalism. The unit encourages self-reflection, critical thinking, and engagement with cultural diversity.

Unit Details:
Unit Code: COMS1012 COM155 Culture to Cultures
Offered: OpenUnis SP 2, 2023

Learning Management System:
Blackboard – lms.curtin.edu.au

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update:
Curtin University is committed to supporting students and staff during the pandemic, providing flexible and safe options for learning. Changes to unit schedules, learning activities, delivery modes, and assessments may be required to ensure the well-being and safety of the community. For current advice and information, visit the university’s website: https://www.curtin.edu.au/novel-coronavirus/.

Syllabus:
The unit explores the complexity of culture, our engagement with other cultures, and culturally diverse thinking and perspectives. It focuses on Indigenous cultures, histories, knowledge, perspectives, and values. The relationship between media and culture is examined, analyzing media representations and their influence on our ideas about different topics, cultures, and people. The unit also explores the role of global media in representation and power dynamics.

Unit Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

Effectively apply key concepts and theories of intercultural communication and media studies to analyze texts and media representations.
Critically reflect on the development of cultural capabilities and apply concepts and theories of the unit.
Develop capabilities to engage respectfully with First Peoples and people of all cultures, demonstrating respect for Indigenous perspectives and all cultures in their community and professional practice.
Critically analyze representations of Indigenous peoples in the media to understand their histories and portrayal.
Effectively apply concepts and theories of cultural essentialism/non-essentialism to contemporary issues, social category systems, and identities.
Assessment:
Assessment 1: Case Study

Value: 25%
Due: Week 5 (Friday, 30 June, 11.59pm)
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 5
Assessment 2: Media Analysis

Value: 40%
Due: Week 9 (Friday, 28 July, 11.59pm)
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 3, 4
Assessment 3: Reflection

Value: 35%
Due: Week 13 (Monday, 21 August, 11.59pm)
Learning Outcomes Assessed: 2, 3, 4, 5
Note: Late assessments will be accepted, and assessment extensions will be considered.

Learning Resources:

Essential Text: “Intercultural Communication: An Advanced Resource Book” by Holliday, Kullman, and Hyde (available electronically through the library catalogue).
Additional readings and viewings are provided on Blackboard.
Library Reading List:
The Reading List for this unit can be accessed through Blackboard.

Unit Philosophy:
The unit follows Curtin University’s Reconciliation Action Plan and is co-taught by Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff. It encourages collaboration, critical thinking, and respect for diverse perspectives, knowledge, and ways of doing things.

Blackboard:
Regularly check Blackboard for announcements, weekly tasks, readings/viewings, discussion boards, lecture information, and other resources related to the unit.

Important Note on Assessment Due Times:
All assessment due times mentioned in the unit outline are in Australian Western Standard Time (AWST, UTC +8).

For more detailed information on each assessment task, including marking criteria and submission instructions, refer to the specific sections on Blackboard.