1997 Swinburne Higher Education Handbook

AM404 Writing for the Media
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prequisite: nil
Assessment: production of a script, exercises and seminar
participation.
A subject in the Graduate Diploma in Writing
Objectives and Content
This subject involves the practice of writing for specific
purposes within different sectors of the media: news reports,
feature stories, press releases, advertorials, community press
and in-house releases, and documentaries. It will take a case
study approach which analyses the strategies and
conventions utilised by different media to common subject
matter. Students will also be expected to produce original
material for different media, and to reflect theoretically on
the implications of different media production on issues of
reception and comprehension.
Recommended reading
Ong, W. Orality and Literacy: 7be Technologizing of the Word.
London, Metheun, 1982
Swinburne Radio Production Notes, 1990, Hawthorn, Vic.,
Swinburne Press, 1990
White, S.A. Reporting in Australia. Melbourne, Macrnillan, 1991
Windschuttle, K. and E. Writing, Research, Communicating.
Communication Skills for the Information Age. 2nd edn, Sydney,
McGraw-Hill, 1994
AM408 Scriptwriting
4 hours per week Hawthorn Prerequisite: Completion of
two semester subjects Assessment: weekly submitted scenes
and final project
A subject in the Graduate Diploma in Writing.
Objectives
Students will develop a proposal into script form.
Students will develop skills in the processes of writing up
guidelines and making grant applications.
Content
In this subject students will develop a proposal into script
form. A series of workshop exercises will explore the nature
of the dramatic script and its application in different fields
such as radio, film, television and theatre. The course places
emphasis on the importance of the development phase in
shaping the idea and of working with criticism from both
peers and practitioners. In exploring the particulariteis of
each medium, students will deal with the "business of
writing n , working with processes such as writing to
guidelines and making a grant application.
Recommended reading
Field, S, Screenplay. New York, Dell, 1987
Sign, L, Making a Good Script Great. New York, Dodd, Mead and
Co, 1987
Campbell, J. 7be Hero with a 7bousand Faces. London. Abacus,
1975
Pearson, C. 7he Hero Whn. San Francisco, Harper Collins, 1989
AM500 Globalisation: Media and
Telecommunications
Obiectives and Content
This subject examines the extraordinary growth and changes
in the fields of communication, with special attention to the
convereence - of media and telecommunications. The
complex forces for change, particularly the increasing
international trend towards privatisation, megaamalgamation,
liberalisation and deregulation. The notion of
an electronic culture is discussed, with relationship to
establisghed political economy and media and cultural
theory.
Almost every developed society is seeking national
comparative advantage in communications policy, often
expressed in terms of a strategy for an emergent network
society or a superhighway policy. Approached taken in the
USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia will be analysed,
with special reference to international networking, cultural
imperialism, globalisation and equity issues.
Alternative international industry approaches, from the
different perspectives of parties and government, carriers,
suppliers and interest groups, will be examined in the
context of comparative policy models. The political policy
process, and the forces for change will be analysed in terms
of lessons and outcomes for Australia.
Recommended reading
Alvarado, M. and Thompson, J. (eds.) TheMedia Reader. London,
BFI Publications, 1990
Collins, R. Language, Culture and Global Information Markets.
South Melbourne, CIRCIT, 1989
Ferguson, M. (ed.) New Communications Technologtes and the
Public Interest. London, Sage Publications, 1986
Garnham, N. Capitalism and Communication. London, Sage
Publications, 1990
Skovmand, M. and Schroder, K.C. (eds.) Media Cultures: Re-
Appraising Transnational Media. London, Routledge, 1992
AM501 Communication Environments
3 hours per week Hawthorn Prequisite: nil
Assessment: presentation of research proposal fiO% final
report 50%
A subject in the Master of Communications
Objectives and Content
This subject examines the convergence of broadcasting and
telecommunications in the context of political, economic
and social change, especially in terms of the future of
Australian society. Key questions are addressed about the
communications revolution, such as who decides about the
introduction of new technologies, and how, what choices
may be available, whose interests are served, and whose
needs may be met by these technologies of abundance. The
new policy paradigm in Australian broadcasting and
telecommunications -competition and choice - will be
analysed. Methods of technological assessment will be
examined, including issues related to the information needs
of different Australians. Vexed questions about the cultural
impact of programming, access and diversity, especially for
Swinburne University of Technology 1997 Handbook 245