40% of final mark, Summative task, 2400 words

Task summary

• To demonstrate understanding of and ability to reason with disciplinary knowledge you have developed in MECO6926 International Media Practice.
• To show evidence of ability to reason with MECO6926 disciplinary knowledge by answering ONE (1) of six (6) listed essay questions on cosmopolitan media work and practice (available from 16 October, 2020).
  • Answer the question using a minimum of six (6) MECO6926 unit of study readings, and four (4) self-selected readings.
  • Include examples or a case study to support your argument.

Essay questions

1. Investigate three case studies of the use of contact tracing apps as a public health measure to contain Covid-19 in the global South and evaluate the implications of this type of datafication for social control and citizens’ privacy (McCabe & Harris, 2020; Jia & Winseck, 2018, Harwit, 2017; Couldry et al. 2018; Gurumurthy, 2018).
2. Find and explain three initiatives to advance gender equality in media and ICT industries in the global South, and assess their contribution to social progress (Mateveke, 2019; Gurumurthy, 2018; Moorti, 2018; Couldry et al. 2018, Kamberidou, 2020).
3. Identify and research three global South transnational media corporations, create a ‘Box’ profile and ‘global production location’ map of each one, and then compare and contrast their hybrid cultures of production (Hepp, 2015; Regev, 2020; Rodny-Gumede, 2020; Jia & Winseck, 2018).
4. Define and explain the concepts of ‘commercialisation of media work’ (Malmelin & Villi, 2017) and ‘precarious creativity’ (Keane, 2016), find and summarise three news stories published in global South media that detail these types of constraints, and decide if 21^st century media professionals still access opportunities for ‘good work’ (Hesmondhalgh & Baker, 2011).
5. Find and explain three digital media initiatives that support cultural autonomy and cognitive justice for First Nations’ peoples and evaluate their capacity to amplify Indigenous voices and challenge inequitable power relations (Latimore et al. 2017; Gurumurthy, 2018; Mateveke, 2019; Budarick, 2019).
6. Discuss recent scholarship on cultural cosmopolitanism (Regev, 2020, Waisbord, 2015) and evaluate its implications for professional media work in global South employment contexts, using case studies on the three key topics of entrepreneurialism, innovation and social impact (Hepp, 2015; Kamberidou, 2020; Budarick, 2019; Solito & Sorrentino, 2020).

Learning outcomes assessed

• LO1. Be familiar with frameworks for researching the media comparatively across countries and cultures, and be able to explain their similarities and differences.
• LO2. Engage with critical perspectives on media history and geography, actors, institutions, and cultures, and be able to correctly define key concepts.
• LO3. Investigate and analyse strategies for southernizing comparative media research, and apply this knowledge in appropriate case studies in assignments.
• LO4. Investigate and analyse diversity in media practices from the global north and south, and use appropriate examples of diverse media practices as evidence of your arguments in assignments.
• LO5. Discuss recent scholarship on cosmopolitan media and communications, and evaluate its implications for professional media work in diverse employment contexts
• LO6. Present information clearly and succinctly in written, oral, and visual forms.

Essay questions

1. Investigate three case studies of the use of contact tracing apps as a public health measure to contain Covid-19 in the global South and evaluate the implications of this type of datafication for social control and citizens’ privacy (McCabe & Harris, 2020; Jia & Winseck, 2018, Harwit, 2017; Couldry et al. 2018; Gurumurthy, 2018).
2. Find and explain three initiatives to advance gender equality in media and ICT industries in the global South, and assess their contribution to social progress (Mateveke, 2019; Gurumurthy, 2018; Moorti, 2018; Couldry et al. 2018, Kamberidou, 2020).
3. Identify and research three global South transnational media corporations, create a ‘Box’ profile and ‘global production location’ map of each one, and then compare and contrast their hybrid cultures of production (Hepp, 2015; Regev, 2020; Rodny-Gumede, 2020; Jia & Winseck, 2018).
4. Define and explain the concepts of ‘commercialisation of media work’ (Malmelin & Villi, 2017) and ‘precarious creativity’ (Keane, 2016), find and summarise three news stories published in global South media that detail these types of constraints, and decide if 21^st century media professionals still access opportunities for ‘good work’ (Hesmondhalgh & Baker, 2011).
5. Find and explain three digital media initiatives that support cultural autonomy and cognitive justice for First Nations’ peoples and evaluate their capacity to amplify Indigenous voices and challenge inequitable power relations (Latimore et al. 2017; Gurumurthy, 2018; Mateveke, 2019; Budarick, 2019).
6. Discuss recent scholarship on cultural cosmopolitanism (Regev, 2020, Waisbord, 2015) and evaluate its implications for professional media work in global South employment contexts, using case studies on the three key topics of entrepreneurialism, innovation and social impact (Hepp, 2015; Kamberidou, 2020; Budarick, 2019; Solito & Sorrentino, 2020).

2. Strategic thinking: Tutorial exercise

• Each of the six essay questions listed above directs you to use specific UoS readings, and specific types of cases studies.
• Use the four-column template below to check your familiarity with the suggested readings, concepts and case studies required for your preferred essay question BEFORE you finalise your essay selection.  
• To do this, check each reading in eReserve. Find the definition and use of each concept. Check authors' main claims to support your argument. Consider possible case studies. Consider additional self-selected readings.
• For questions 2-6, re-populate the template with the suggested readings, concepts and case studies to complete the exercise.
• While this process may take 30-60 minutes, it will help you to make the right choice. A strong, well-argued essay requires a confident demonstration of MECO6926 knowledge. 
• By selecting an essay question, you are agreeing to discuss the specified readings, concepts and case studies. Be aware that Topics 1 and 2 engage ideas and readings from Modules 7-9 that we have discussed in detail. Be aware that Topics 3-6 engage new ideas and readings that we will discuss via Modules 10-12. Make your selection accordingly.  

Example: Essay Question # 1

"Investigate three case studies of the use of contact tracing apps as a public health measure to contain Covid-19 in the global South and evaluate the implications of this type of datafication for social control and citizens’ privacy (McCabe & Harris, 2020; Jia & Winseck, 2018, Harwit, 2017; Couldry et al. 2018; Gurumurthy, 2018)."

Possible self-selected sources:

• Lucivero, F., Hallowell, N., Johnson, S., Prainsack, B., Samuel, G., & Sharon, T. (2020). Covid-19 and Contact Tracing Apps: Ethical challenges for a social experiment on a global scale. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 1-5.
• Norton Rose Fulbright. (2020). Contact tracing apps: A new world for data privacy. Retrieved from: https://www.nortonrosefulbright.com/en-za/knowledge/publications/d7a9a296/contact-tracing-apps-a-new-world-for-data-privacy (Links to an external site.)

see also: The Write Site @ https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12076

3. Practical advice - Template

Before uploading your PDF file into Canvas, please check that you have completed the following:

1. Student Identification number is in the file name and on the first page. No names.
2. Format: Title, Essay question #, Introduction, Body, Conclusion, Reference list.
3. Introduction outlines your answer to the question.
4. Body develops answer to the question that is theoretically grounded and empirically informed.
5. Answer integrates critical media analysis and three case studies (i.e. media initiatives, profiles, maps, news stories, topics)
6. Answer integrates 6 x UoS and 4 x self-selected readings
7. Conclusion summarises and re-states argument and explains insights gained
8. Reference list is compliant = six (6) UoS readings, four (4) additional non-UoS readings
9. Referencing style is compliant using APA6th style
10. Academic writing, analysis, case studies are authentic and genuine

4. To show evidence of ability to reason with MECO6926 disciplinary knowledge = meet or exceed expectations

• Marking rubric
  • correct answer to the question
  • analysis is theoretically grounded and empirically informed
  • evidence of appropriate reading, critical media analysis and three case studies 
  • compliant reference list (i.e. six UoS readings, four self-selected readings) 
  • authentic and genuine academic writing and correct use of APA6th referencing style

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