Unit Profile Correction added on 21-06-18
The CORRECT text for this unit is: The Media and Political Process : 2nd Edition Author: Louw, Eric ISBN: 978-1-84860-447-6Overview
Social change is defined by the significant alteration of social structure and cultural patterns. This unit will examine the political influence and communication techniques used to effect meaningful social change, including the rise of social media. You will identify and explain key elements of the democratic process in Australia including relationships between the three levels of government and will critique an example of an effective social change campaign. From this in-depth analysis you will further extend and develop key socially innovative communication techniques applicable to future social change events.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student evaluation
A small number of students suggested the final assignment, the presentation, could be better explained.
It is recommended that all assessment items be reviewed for understanding, relevance and clarity.
Feedback from Professional Communication Planning Day Dec 2017
The unit's content is considered dated and losing relevance in a rapidly changing global political landscape.
It is recommended the unit undergoes a complete review - due to dramatic shifts in the Australian and international political landscapes - to ensure the unit remains relevant.
Feedback from Student evaluation and Professional Communication Planning Day 2017
Some students considered the unit title to be a misnomer and felt the content could me more accurately described in the unit name.
It is recommended the unit undergoes as complete review, including the unit title, to better reflect the content and tone of the unit.
- Define social change in the context of the Australian democratic political system.
- Examine a social change event to identify socially innovative communication techniques.
- Compare and contrast the role of traditional and social media in the context of social change.
- Analyse and evaluate a real-world social change campaign in a political context.
n/a
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
2 - Written Assessment - 50% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
1 - Communication | ||||
2 - Problem Solving | ||||
3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
4 - Information Literacy | ||||
5 - Team Work | ||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
8 - Ethical practice | ||||
9 - Social Innovation | ||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 50% |
Textbooks
Politics , Media and Democracy in Australia : Public and Producer Perceptions of the Political Public Sphere
(2017)
Authors: McNair, B
Taylor and Francis
London London , UK
ISBN: 9781138779426
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
A link to the Kindle edition of this text will be located on the unit's Moodle site. However, if you prefer a paper copy, you can purchase one at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 6th Edition (APA 6th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
l.bertoli@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Social Change
This module will introduce you to the concept of social change in a democratic political environment including standard definitions, historical context and practical examples in contemporary Australian culture.
Chapter
Louw, Chapter 1
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Democracy and the Australian Political System
To affect meaningful social change, it is imperative that you have a thorough understanding of democracy and the Australian political system. Module Two will break down the fundamentals of Australian politics and explain the roles of elected representatives across Local, State and Federal Governments.
Chapter
Louw, Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Three levels of Government: How They Work Together
There’s an old saying in Australian politics: you can’t have one, without the other… and it’s in Module Three that you will explore the fundamental relationships between the three levels of government. This will include analysis of social change campaigns between governments, notably the forced amalgamation of local governments in Queensland.
Chapter
Louw, Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
People Power: Affecting Social Change in a Democratic Society
In this Module you will explore how ‘people power’ – that is, strong demonstrations of public opinion – can affect cultural shifts and social change by lobbying the appropriate levels of government.
The de-amalgamation of four Queensland Councils will be examined as an example.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Spreading the Word: Successful Communication Techniques
Module Five provides an introduction to traditional and digital communication techniques used in social change campaigns, including the role of the media and rise of social media. You will also look at the role of professional lobbyists and public relations practitioners in a political context.
Chapter
Louw, Chapter 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Case Study: Same Sex Marriage in Australia
In December 2017, history was made when Federal Parliament voted in favour of legalising same sex marriage in Australia. In Module Six you will apply key concepts from the unit content to analyse the campaign using the following criteria: Voice, Action and Outcome. You will also examine perceived shortcomings and suggested improvements.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 1 - Local Government Process and Essay
Due Friday Week 6 (Friday, 24 August 2018) at 17:00pm AEST.
Local Government Meeting Attendance and Process Due: Week 6 Friday (24 Aug 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Social Media: The Voice of the People
Module Seven outlines the unprecedented impact of social media in raising public profile and garnering mass support for issues of contention, thus influencing political decisions and social change. You will explore the role of social media through the case study from Module Six, including the rise of hashtags.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
The Role of Traditional Media
The nature of modern media enables journalists to communicate with mass audiences. This module will examine how social change issues are portrayed in the media and how such coverage can ultimately influence potential outcomes. You will discuss whether objectivity is still a core value of modern journalists, particularly concerning government issues.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lobbying and the Art of Political Spin
Just as magicians use smoke and mirrors to create illusions, so too does the political machine to divert attention from an unsuspecting audience. Module Nine provides an in-depth look at the art of public relations and selling the political message, as well as the external lobbyists whose job it is to win favour and influence political decisions.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Political Practice and Application of the Message
This Module breaks down the political process and explores the progress of a social change campaign from concept to reality. You will gain an understanding of primary government papers (Green and White) including those written to generate discussion, and those outlining legislation and policy, in-line with your second assessment.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
What Does the Future Hold?
Module 11 focuses on the future and how YOU – the social innovators and cultural taste makers of tomorrow – will continue to affect meaningful change through technological advances, community service and entrepreneurial enterprise; all of which will ideally provide positive contributions to society.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
In Module 12 you will reflect on the unit content and review key concepts.
Chapter
Details in the Study Guide Lesson - located on the unit website.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assessment 2 - Lobbying for Social Change (Green Paper or White Paper)
Due Friday Week 12 (Friday, 5 October 2018) at 17.00pm AEST.
Lobbying for Social Change Due: Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Part A
Identify your local government area and organise to attend an Ordinary Council Meeting between weeks two (2) and six (6) of term. Prior to attending the meeting, research the meeting agenda and identify two potential social change issues that may require a decision to be made by Council.
During the meeting, pay particular attention to the discussion of these issues, including the background, the voting process and the outcome/s.
Attach the appropriate section of the agenda as an appendix to this assignment as evidence of attendance and research.
Part B
In 1,500 words, analyse the aspects of social change evident in the two issues identified at the meeting.
Link your analysis and findings to relevant unit content, including academic references, to justify and support your arguments.
The point of this analysis is to articulate social change, and identify socially innovative communication techniques in action on a local government level.
Your analysis should be structured around the following sub-headings:
- Introduction – identify the Council area and introduce social change in the context of local government.
- Issue One – provide a brief summary of the first issue including voting process and outcome from the meeting.
- Issue Two - provide a brief summary of the second issue including voting process and outcome from the meeting
- Discussion – Linking with key concepts from the unit, explain how social change was affected through the democratic process, including the role of the media, political and non-political influence.
- Conclusion - justification of your argument
Week 6 Friday (24 Aug 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Friday (7 Sept 2018)
The unit coordinator will eneavour to return assessments within two weeks of their due date.
Elements assessed for the Meeting component will include:
- Attendance at a Council meeting
- Correct identification of social change issues
- Quality of analysis of the local government meeting and voting process.
Elements assessed for the Analysis component include:
- Attention to task requirements
- Quality of issue analysis including background and appetite for change
- Quality of writing
- Link to unit concepts
- Quality of referencing
A marking rubric is available on the Moodle site.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Ethical practice
- Social Innovation
- Define social change in the context of the Australian democratic political system.
- Examine a social change event to identify socially innovative communication techniques.
2 Written Assessment
You are a lobbyist advocating on behalf of an innovative Australian social change campaign. Prepare a submission to the relevant level of government in the form of a White Paper or Green Paper to articulate your position and influence social change in a democratic political environment. You may choose an issue or social change campaign identified at your local Council meeting (from Assessment One). Alternatively, you can select a social change campaign of your choosing, with prior approval from the Unit Coordinator, or choose from the options below:
- Plastic Bag Free Queensland - The campaign to ban the use of single use plastic bags in Queensland.
- Changing the date of Australia Day – the push to move Australia Day celebrations to a more culturally sensitive and inclusive date.
Consider the historical context of the issue in Australian culture and explain why there is now an appetite for change, including political and non-political influence. Research which level of government is responsible for legislating change in the context of your chosen social change campaign. Identify and evaluate socially innovative communication techniques used in the social change campaign, paying particular attention to the role of traditional and non-traditional media. Present your argument as a 2,500-word White paper or Green paper, linking with key concepts from the unit to explain if / how social change was affected through the democratic process. Justify what improvements could be made to the campaign and why. Your assessment will include relevant academic references to support your arguments. Each submission should include a preface, explaining the context of the campaign in terms of what you are lobbying, why, to whom and whether your submission is a Green Paper or a White Paper.
The preface is not included in the final word count.
Week 12 Friday (5 Oct 2018) 5:00 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (19 Oct 2018)
The unit coordinator will eneavour to return assessments within two weeks of their due date.
Marking criteria will include:
- Appropriate format (Green Paper or White Paper) in context of your social change campaign
- Quality of issue analysis
- Quality of writing
- Link to unit content
- Quality of referencing
Further guidance on this assessment, including a marking rubric is available on the Moodle site.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Social Innovation
- Compare and contrast the role of traditional and social media in the context of social change.
- Analyse and evaluate a real-world social change campaign in a political context.
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