17
Unit Outline Diploma of Arts
monashcollege.edu.au
ABN: 064 031 714
CRICOS: Monash College Pty Ltd 01857J
MCD6020: Media and Culture
Assessment 4: Analysing Cultural Texts
Status: Individual
Weighting: 25%
Word limit: 1200 words (10% leeway)
Due date: Week 9, Friday 11.59pm
Details of task:
Purpose: This assignment develops your ability to analyse cultural texts (using a cultural text approach
indicated in the question) and explain the relevance of a particular media object.
Choose one or two media texts that you find interesting and use one of the following questions to
consider the cultural, political, and/or historical significance:
1. How has the way the audience has accessed and interacted with the media text privileged or prioritised
a particular meaning or understanding?
2. What are the main genres, narrative forms and/or platforms that have been employed? What role do
they play in generating meaning?
3. How are intertextual elements employed and what layers of meaning does this add?
4. Describe the way in which the text(s) is gendered and the implications this has for the way it operates in
society?
5. How is the target audience defined? What are the ways in which it addresses and constructs a particular
audience or community?
6. Identify the specific ideological agenda that is exhibited. How is this conveyed and what specific cultural
codes or signs does it employ?
You will need to use the textbook to inform your discussion and to help you identify other useful texts,
studies, or theories. You will also need to conduct some library research regarding the media text (e.g.
related to aspects such as its production, industrial context, and reception) to support your analysis.
Use an academic essay structure and use Harvard referencing: https://guides.lib.monash.edu/citing-
referencing/harvard:
Introduction: Outline the question you have chosen, the position you have taken (in response to the
question) and how you plan demonstrate or support your argument (e.g. engagement
with theorists, theoretical approaches or themes and example texts)
Body Paragraphs Approximately 3 body paragraphs where you define a cultural text approach (within the
scope of your question) and where each paragraph focuses on a main idea that explains
and elaborates on your argument.
Conclusion Summarise and reflect on your discussion highlighting how you have made your case
for the cultural, political, and/or historical significance of media.
18
Unit Outline Diploma of Arts
monashcollege.edu.au
ABN: 064 031 714
CRICOS: Monash College Pty Ltd 01857J
Assessment 4: Analysing Cultural Texts - marking rubric
Check Turnitin for feedback:
Look at the annotations on your essay script, the general comments, and the individual grades
for each criterion
Speak to your tutor for clarification
You are expected to make improvements on future assessments based on this information.