If knowledge is power, then the communication and media industries are among the most powerful industries in the world. Whether you're investigating a story, selling a product, promoting a cause, or seeking to change social behaviour, targeted research is crucial for producing effective communication. In this unit, we aim to heighten your curiosity and inspire you to critically engage with the world around you. You examine the relationship between knowledge, truth and power using real world case studies in the media industries, encouraging you to critique what you see, hear and read. You discover the many benefits of research as a strategy for industry and for university, and the many ways of creating and transforming raw data into legitimate and compelling communication.

Learning outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Summarise and differentiate the relationship between knowledge, truth and power in the context of the communication and media industries;
2. Develop fundamental critical skills in knowledge verification, interpretation and delivery via traditional and digital platforms;
3. Demonstrate fundamental skills in knowledge creation and the conduct of research for communication and media industry and research; and
4. Work in teams to identify and then provide solutions to a research problem.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.