ATS2440
Week 1: Unit Themes and
Assessment
Associate Professor Tony Moore
MONASH
ARTS
2Unit Overview & Learning Outcomes
1. Outline the emergence and historical development of the concept of
a public sphere;
2. Research and analyse the role of the media in communicating
politics in both formal and informal contexts;
3. Nominate and explain contemporary media developments or issues
that reflect the condition of the public sphere and structure and
inform understandings of that concept;
4. Display evidence of written and verbal knowledge and critical
thinking skills.
3The Public Sphere
Public
Sphere
Democracy
Politics
Citizenship
Communication
[Public /
Private]
4Some key questions … related to key themes/concepts
Should
Kanye West be able to run for
President?
Is ‘fake news’ only the preserve of ??
What are the limits of
• Media
spectacle;
infotainment
• Post-truth;
authenticity
• Automated
public sphere
• Digital
platforms;
discourse
Assessment
6Tutorial Group Presentations (weeks 2-10)
▪ Assessment Value: (15%); Due:
▪ Groups will be organized by your tutor to present on the material
(readings, videos, other media material) for one of the scheduled
tutorial weeks. Group presentations will be assessed on the ability to
summarize arguments within the weekly readings; to offer your
thoughts on the material; and the ability to provoke/lead tutorial
discussion on the week's topic.
▪ Powerpoint presentation in allocated week; Moodle submission of
Group powerpoint at end of presentation week.
▪ Word count: 500 words (approx.)
7Tutorial Group Presentations (weeks 2-10)
▪ You will be expected to share with your tutorial a Group Powerpoint slide
outlining a summary of the weekly reading; and present for 15 minutes to the
tutorial.
Your Group presentation must include:
▪ Explaining the central keywords and concepts for the week in relation to the
central weekly readings (including some supplementary readings and weekly
video material);
▪ A relevant example or case study which you think reveals/explores ideas and
debates;
▪ A firm conclusion on the central arguments and debates.
▪ This assignment requires you to submit your Group Powerpoint presentation for
Moodle assessment by the Friday of the week you are presenting.
8Reflection 1: Generation Like
▪ Value: 25% (due week 4)
▪ 1000 words
▪ This task asks you to analyse a specific case study in relation to
relationships between the public sphere, democracy, and media. You
will be asked to watch Generation Like (Frontline program, PBS,
2019) and write a reflection, directly responding to the questions
provided. This assessment will be graded according to the following
criteria:
▪ Summary of key themes of documentary
▪ Responses to set questions
▪ Presentation
9Reflection 1: Generation Like
You must address the following questions in Reflection 1:
(1) How is social media used to construct contemporary teen identity?
(2) What are the new forms of "social currency"?
(3) What are the benefits and problems of a commercial platform culture?
(4) What does the documentary say about meanings of "empowerment" and the
digital public sphere?
Note: there is no need to cite academic material/references.
10
Reflection 2: The Facebook Dilemma, Part 2
▪ Value: 25% (due week 9)
▪ 1000 words
▪ This task asks you to analyse a specific case study in relation to
relationships between the public sphere, democracy, and media. You
will be asked to watch The Facebook Dilemma Part 2 (Frontline
program, PBS, 2019) and write a reflection, directly responding to the
questions provided. This assessment will be graded according to the
following criteria:
▪ Summary of key themes of documentary
▪ Responses to set questions
▪ Presentation
11
Reflection 2: The Facebook Dilemma, Part 2
You must address the following questions in Reflection 2:
(1) In what ways does Facebook construct a digital public sphere?
(2) "Facebook is a technology company, not a media company" (Mark Zuckerberg).
Do you agree or disagree?
(3) What are the advantages and disadvantages in "giving a people a voice and
creating a sense of community" (Mark Zuckerberg)?
(4) What is the Facebook narrative in responding to criticisms?
Note: there is no need to cite academic material/references.
12
Public Sphere Essay (week 12)
▪ Value: 35% (due week 12)
▪ 2000 words
▪ This assessment is designed to investigate a key question/issue that directly
relates to the public sphere concept. It asks you to examine academic,
industry and media material in assembling the central arguments, and stating
why this debate is important. It also asks you to assess your question as a
researcher, and come to a firm assessment of where you stand, based on
your analysis. Note: tutorials in weeks 11 and 12 are devoted to assisting
you complete this assessment.
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Public Sphere Essay
▪ In consultation with your tutor, construct a question for your essay that
tackles a central debate/issue.
▪ See the Potential Essay Topics information to help you with ideas
▪ Weekly readings will often be a useful starting point for your question
▪ You must use at least 8 sources (academic and other) in the essay
▪ Start thinking about this early on!
▪ Some tutorial time will be devoted to working on this assessment
▪ TURN IT IN APPLIED
▪ DO NOT BRACH ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
▪ DO NOT PLAGIARISE
▪ NO AI TOOLS
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Public Sphere Essay
In writing the essay, you should use the following sub-headings:
▪ Introduction: Establishing the topic, research aims and key questions
▪ Literature Review: key academic and other material establishing concepts,
debates related to your topic;
▪ Discussion: analysis of relevant debates, research and literature [applying
your central examples, or case study!];
▪ Conclusion: a summary of your assessment that directly returns to the initial
topic and research questions
▪ Case study approaches -- drilling down into one example (e.g. looking at
YouTube in relation to copyright debates) to make wider claims about an
issue -- are strongly encouraged.
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Assessment Overview
Assessment Value Due Date
Group Presentation 15% Weeks 2-10 (powerpoints submitted on Friday of
presentation week)
Reflection 1: Generation Like 25% Week 4
Reflection 2: The Facebook Dilemma, Part 2 25% Week 9
Public Sphere Essay 35% Week 12
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What we expect from you each week
▪ Complete reading/viewing core weekly material (Panopto
lecture; key reading; any additional set A/V material):
Its courteous and professional!
▪ Think about appropriate case studies/examples to raise in the
tutorials
▪ Be prepared to discuss things in the tutorial: participate
▪ Take a collaborative approach to tutorial discussion and Group
assessment (central to many tasks in this unit!)
▪ Ask Questions
17
Core Weekly Reading
▪ Do weekly set core reading and watch any videos
BEFORE your Tutorial, staring with…
▪ Moore, T., Citizens of the World: Paine and the Political
Prisoners Transported to Australia’, in Edwards, S. and
Morris, M., The Legacy of Thomas Paine in the
Transatlantic World, Pickering & Chatto Publishers,
Bloomsbury, 2017
Thomas Muir 1794: New Media Activist