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Unit outline_

MECO6928: Media and Communication Internship

Intensive December, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This Department of Media and Communications (MECO) capstone unit of study offers Master degree students a placement with a host organisation, for 20 days (140 hours), in roles related to their degree. Internships provide work-integrated learning opportunities to enhance employability. Typical placement tasks include multi-media content creation, social media communication, digital media design and engagement, public relations and client-facing media, editing and publishing, health promotion and marketing.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Media and Communications
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points from Digital Communication & Cultures or Media Practice or Health Communication or Strategic Public Relations or Publishing degree tables
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
MECO6904 or MECO6905 or MECO6935
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Terry Flew, terry.flew@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s) Mohammad Makki, mohammad.makki@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Reflective journal
Reflective journal completed after placement
40% Ongoing 1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Assignment Industry research report
Report completed after placement with advice from Degree Directo
40% Ongoing 1500wd
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO6
Assignment Social media participation
Conceptual media production to be created after placement
20% Ongoing 1500wd equiv.
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.

Pass

50 - 64

Demonstrates the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: Prior to commencing a placement, students enrolled in MECO6928 must attend a 2 hour orientation seminar, held prior to commencement of the internship. Otherwise, there are no weekly classes in this unit of study. 

  • Preparation: Students need to complete their three assignments by reference to academic and industry source materials. Therefore, they should commit to spend approximately three – six hours preparation time for each assignment (reading, studying, assignment completion, etc.).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply knowledge and skills developed in the degree program to complete scheduled tasks in specific organisational settings, and be able to explain the concept of work-integrated learning.
  • LO2. Critically reflect and comment on the process of integrating degree and workplace learning, and evaluate its impact on your employability.
  • LO3. Research and write an industry report exploring the employment outlooks for digital, media, and communication professionals, and evaluate one or more current issues and/or challenges in your specific industry sector.
  • LO4. Create conceptual media production that supports professional practice, networking and/or job-seeking, scrutinise, and evaluate the challenges of maintaining a professional online presence.
  • LO5. Be familiar with the ethical issues and professional relationships encountered in media and communications industry settings, and be able to explain their importance.
  • LO6. Present information clearly and succinctly in written, oral, and visual forms.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Each year, UoS survey results are carefully reviewed to identify students' suggestions for improving the curriculum content, assessment, and delivery of MECO6928. This year, two main recommendations have been adopted: 1) to provide suggested readings to support successful completion of the industry research report, and 2) to clarify and provide plain English instructions for completing the three assignment tasks. As well as formal student survey feedback, the Academic and Placement Co-ordinators in this unit work closely with students to ensure they are placed in interesting and career-relevant internships, and are appropriately assessed on their work-integrated learning experience, and ancillary knowledges and skills. Be aware that informal feedback from students is welcome at any time.

Be aware that to meet host organisation expectations around skill-sets, we look for successful completion of the four core units of your degree, with strong Credit marks (70+). We also look for a Pass grade on the Diagnostic Skills Test, which checks workplace readiness.

Work, health and safety

The University and our Placement partners have legal responsibilities to ensure the safety, health and well-being of students who are undertaking a student placement. These are explained to students, and discussed, during the Orientation Session.

For more information, please visit the WH&S pages at http://sydney.edu.au/whs

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.