COMS307-15S1 (C) Semester One 2015

On Air and Online: Broadcasting and New Zealand

30 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 23 February 2015
End Date: Sunday, 28 June 2015
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 6 March 2015
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 22 May 2015

Description

On Air and Online: Broadcasting and New Zealand surveys the current New Zealand broadcasting environment and the social, political, industry and technical developments that have influenced the form of television and radio in this country. The course explores the role broadcasting has played in shaping New Zealand society, and the ways in which New Zealand culture is reflected and produced in television and radio programming. Specific topics include: Maori broadcasting, sports, news, reality programming, drama and comedy, music, and the implications of new digital distribution tools for the concept of 'broadcasting'.

In semester one 2014, COMS307 will have a strong emphasis on in class research and discussion, and the major assignment will be to write, and write about, a New Zealand on Air Funding application. You will develop a programme idea in groups and pitch it to a national broadcaster, before working through the complex process of how a TV programme gets to get made in New Zealand. As an individual assignment alongside that you will critically discuss how broadcasting is funded and produced in New Zealand.

COMS307 also features speakers from across the local broadcasting industry. In previous years these have included guests from CTV, Tahu FM, Pulzar FM, RDU, Whitebait Studios, Frankfilm, and Trackside.

Learning Outcomes

  • On completion of this course you should be able to:

  • Critique the representation and production of the 'nation' on radio and television.
  • Understand how the contemporary New Zealand broadcasting and production industries are structured, and the historical development of radio and television in New Zealand
  • Understand how television programmes are funded and produced in New Zealand, and be able to contextualize this process in the broader political economy of New Zealand broadcasting.
  • Write a programme proposal and funding application, prepare a basic budget, and communicate with a broadcaster.
  • Recognise the global context of New Zealand broadcasting, in relation to ownership, and influences on programming style, programme content, music, and the ability of New Zealand producers to compete in an international broadcast marketplace.
  • Critically analyse the content of New Zealand television and radio programming in relation to these contexts and relevant theoretical perspectives.

Prerequisites

30 points at the 200 level in COMS. Students without this prerequisite, but with at least a B average in 60 points of relevant courses, may enter the course with the approval of the Department Coordinator or the Undergraduate Coordinator for COMS.

Restrictions

COMS206

Course Coordinator

Zita Joyce

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Textual analysis: radio 18 Mar 2015 20% 1200-1500 words.
Textual analysis: television 02 Apr 2015 20% 1000-1500 words.
NZ on Air application (group project) 05 Jun 2015 30%
NZ on Air application (individual essay) 15 Jun 2015 20% 2000 words.
Participation 10% Contributions to in-class presentations = attendance (participation is expected)


All assessment due by midnight on the due date.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,393.00

International fee $5,825.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .

All COMS307 Occurrences

  • COMS307-15S1 (C) Semester One 2015
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