Key Concepts in Media Studies Online

Undergraduate | 2026

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Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
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Area/Catalogue
MDIA 1000
Course ID icon
Course ID
207641
Campus icon
Campus
Online
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No

Course overview

This wholly online course explores why digital media is being seen as creatively, socially, and politically transformative. What is 'collective intelligence' and how is it empowered by digital tools? How are 'amateur' media makers impacting on mainstream media practices? This course explores the important questions being asked about new digital technologies and encourages critical, reflexive thinking about social media sites. It addresses the links between earlier communication forms and media institutions, and contemporary digital and mobile technologies. For students outside the media programs, this course introduces students to forms of media interactivity and methods of media analysis, as well as selected theories and debates about media's historical role in shaping social, cultural, economic, and political relations. Designed to allow students to proceed through the weekly content at their own pace and in their own time, this course allows students to develop key literacies in media studies through online learning.

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of critical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks in media and communication studies
  • Read and interpret media and communication studies scholarly research
  • Illustrate the significance of concepts such as convergence, remediation and ideology to media and communication
  • Analyse media case studies or examples using conceptual and theoretical frameworks
  • Construct a critical argument about the contemporary media environment

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 04/09/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 21/08/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 18/09/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 16/10/2026

Class details

Online

Class number
Class number 59387
Section
Section 01OL
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
- Online ,

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

  • must not have completed MDIA1040 Key Concepts in Media OR must not have completed MDIA1014OL Key Concepts in Media Studies Online at the University of Adelaide

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Study Abroad student tuition fees are available here.

Only some Postgraduate Coursework programs are available as Commonwealth Supported. Please check your program for specific fee information.

The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.