Key Concepts in Media and Communication

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
Mode icon
Mode
Mode
Your studies will be on-campus, and may include some online delivery
On campus
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
MDIA 1018
Course ID icon
Course ID
208368
Campus icon
Campus
Adelaide City Campus West
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course owner
Course owner
School of Comm, Media and Jour
Course coordinator
Course coordinator
Jessica Ford
Course level icon
Course level
1
Work Integrated Learning course
Work Integrated Learning course
No
Study abroad and student exchange icon
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.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes

Course overview

This course aims to introduce the foundational theoretical and conceptual ideas they will need throughout their degree, such as theories on media interactivity and methods of media analysis, and selected theories and debates about media's historical role in shaping social, cultural, economic, and political relations.

  • Systems
  • Texts
  • Audiences

Course learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of critical, theoretical and conceptual frameworks in media and communication studies
  • Explain the role, history, and importance of different forms of media and communication and their relationship to society, politics, economics and technology
  • Examine and analyse a range of media and communication texts and genres, including media and communication scholarly research
  • Use media and communication scholarly research to construct a critical argument about the contemporary media environment

Availability

Census date Icon
Census date
Fri 27/03/2026
Enrol by date
Enrol by date
Fri 13/03/2026
Last day to W
Last day to W
Fri 10/04/2026
Last day to WF
Last day to WF
Fri 08/05/2026

Class details

Adelaide City Campus West

Class number
Class number 28056
Section
Section LE01
Size
Size 400
Available
Available 400
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 12:10pm - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Hawke, H2-16
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 12:10pm - 1pm Adelaide City Campus West Hawke, H2-16
Class number
Class number 21335
Section
Section TU01
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 5:10pm - 6:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13A/B
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 5:10pm - 6:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13A/B
Class number
Class number 21336
Section
Section TU02
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 3:10pm - 4:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK4-30
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 3:10pm - 4:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK4-30
Class number
Class number 21337
Section
Section TU03
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 1:10pm - 2:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13B
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 1:10pm - 2:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13B
Class number
Class number 21338
Section
Section TU04
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 12:10pm - 1:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK2-12
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 12:10pm - 1:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK2-12
Class number
Class number 21339
Section
Section TU05
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 4:40pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK4-18
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 4:40pm - 6pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK4-18
Class number
Class number 21340
Section
Section TU06
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 11:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13B
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 11:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13B
Class number
Class number 21341
Section
Section TU07
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 11:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK2-15
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 11:10am - 12:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Sir George Kingston, GK2-15
Class number
Class number 21342
Section
Section TU08
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 12:10pm - 1:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13A
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 12:10pm - 1:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13A
Class number
Class number 21343
Section
Section TU09
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
24 Feb - 14 Apr Tuesday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS4-11
5 May - 2 Jun Tuesday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS4-11
Class number
Class number 21344
Section
Section TU10
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 12:40pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH2-12
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 12:40pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH2-12
Class number
Class number 21345
Section
Section TU11
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
26 Feb - 16 Apr Thursday 12:10pm - 1:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13B
7 May - 4 Jun Thursday 12:10pm - 1:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS3-13B
Class number
Class number 21346
Section
Section TU13
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
27 Feb - 17 Apr Friday 12:40pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS4-12B
8 May - 5 Jun Friday 12:40pm - 2pm Adelaide City Campus West Jeffrey Smart, JS4-12B
Class number
Class number 21347
Section
Section TU14
Size
Size 20
Available
Available 20
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
25 Feb - 15 Apr Wednesday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus West Hawke, H6-11
6 May - 3 Jun Wednesday 9:10am - 10:30am Adelaide City Campus West Hawke, H6-11
Class number
Class number 28053
Section
Section TU15
Size
Size 30
Available
Available 30
Dates Days Time Campus Location Instructor
23 Feb - 13 Apr Monday 3:10pm - 4:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH3-11
4 May - 1 Jun Monday 3:10pm - 4:30pm Adelaide City Campus West Barbara Hanrahan, BH3-11

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A

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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.

Degree list
The following degrees include this course