Welcome to KCB101: Media and

Communication TextsDr Stephen Harrington

Today:

•Introduction to the teaching staff

•Introduction to each other

•How this unit will work

•Assessment and feedback

•Unit communication

•Some final notes

•Getting started...

Teaching staff

Dr Stephen Harrington

Unit Coordinator

3138 8177

s.harrington@qut.edu.au

@_StephenH

Teaching staff

Dr Andrew King

Unit Manager

as.king@qut.edu.au

All unit enquiries should be directed to Andrew.

Teaching staff

Daniel Padua

Andrew Quodling

Katherine Kirkwood

Each other

•Go on then...

•Join a group with 3-4 other people.

•Get their names and contact details.

•Get used to them...

How the unit will work

•No tutorials, interactive lectures

•Weekly video, readings, "lectorials".

•Recorded "lectorials"

•Expectation of some self-reliance

Assessment

• 1: Textual Analysis (28/3/13)

• 2: Storyboard (29/4/13)

• 3: Essay (8/6/13)

• Submissions either to Blackboard (low feedback, fast turnaround), or Assignment Minder (high feedback, slow turnaround)

• Further details forthcoming

Communication

•Check your emails regularly!

•Teaching/content-related queries (not personal matters) only from groups

•Become familiar with Blackboard

•Use the #KCB101 tag on Twitter

Stuff you should know

•Don't be afraid to ask questions, or get involved with the discussion (I don't bite).

•Lectures may include sexual scenes/references, course language, nudity, drug use/references, violence.

Stuff you should know

•Attend class! It's the best way to maximize your chances of succeeding in this unit.

•Let us know if anything at all is impeding your learning.

What's this all about then?

This unit introduces you to foundational ideas in the study of communication. It covers key questions of textual analysis, practice, and context. Drawing extensively on examples of popular communication practice from contemporary society, the subject aims to impart an understanding of communication ecologies, processes, systems, and modes within the wider frame of radical changes occurring to the way texts are produced, read and circulated within our culture.

What's this all about then?

Intended learning outcomes:

•Demonstrate an applied understanding of communication theory; and…

•Apply communication theory to a contemporary media text in a variety of modes.

•Develop a media text, in light of communication theory.

•Critically analyse and understand current changes in how texts are produced, distributed and understood

What's this all about then?

The Simple Version:

•Understanding communication theory (semiotics)

•Apply communication theory

•Analyse developments in contemporary communication practice

What's this all about then?

The Super Simple Version:

•Communication in theory

•Communication in practice

•Communication in context

What's this all about then?

In one word?

Meaning