Communicating with Data and Digital Media

This course introduces data communication techniques and topics, and will provide students with a toolkit to analyse and evaluate the use of data and digital platforms in a range of contexts, including data-driven social research and communication. We focus on the preparation and visualisation of tabular and social network data, writing and evaluating web content in relation to data practices, and critical topics such as privacy and the datafication of everyday life.

15 points

Any 60 points at 100-level.

Global China on Screen

Like in the West, Chinese cinema has held a significant share in the cultural industry since the first film was made in China in 1905. Being a cultural product, film has always been seen as reflection of its contemporary culture, despite various aspects it might have taken. Taking primarily a Cultural Studies approach, this course introduces Chinese culture, especially a series of its contemporary phenomena by surveying Chinese cinema. The course will be taught in English and all Chinese films are subtitled. By viewing the films in class and many more available in the well-resourced UC library on the course's recommendation and students' own interests, the course encourages students to further develop their study in one or more of the following areas: Studies of Chinese culture and society; Cross-cultural studies with a focus on China/Asia and beyond; Cultural studies with a special emphasis on postmodernism (including postcolonialism) and Third World culture; Film studies focusing on national cinema. CHIN206 and CINE215 are the same course.

15 points

Any 15 points at 100 level from CHIN or CINE, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

CINE215, CHIN306, CULT334

Social Media

This course contains practical work in the community and groupwork. The course prepares students to do public communication in a rapidly changing media environment. The first half of the course explores how a range of social media platforms work and how professional communicators are attempting to use it. Topics include networks, online community, social media analytics and social media campaigns. In the second half of the course students apply these ideas in small-group projects for a community organisation or company. This course is available only to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication.

15 points

15 points COMS or 60 points BC Schedule V. Subject to approval by the Head of Department.

COMS222, COMS207

Japanese Society and Culture in Film and Literature

This course covers outstanding examples of modern (post 1867) and contemporary literature and film, including animated movies. Works covered have been selected both for their artistic merit and for their culturally interesting subject matter. Themes include the conflict between traditional and western values, colonialism and ethnic minorities such as Okinawa, the effects of the Second World War and the atomic bombings, post-war economic growth and its effect on people’s lives, the 1960s-70s student movement, and contemporary postmodern consumer society. The aims of the course are twofold: (a) to provide some basic skills in ‘reading’ modern Japanese literature and film and (b) to promote an understanding of Japanese society and its people. No knowledge of Japanese language is required.

15 points

JAPA108, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

Children's Classics: Popular Children's Texts and their Representation on Film

Children's Classics teaches the genre-specific nature of children's literature, its socio-historical contexts, and the significance of its re-readings as film. It introduces a selection of enduring children's texts, illustrating the importance to literary production of changing cultural context, demonstrating the importance of intertextuality in children's literature and how texts change when filmed, and promotes the skills of reading and writing.

15 points

Any 15 points at 100 level from CINE or ENGL, or any 60 points at 100 level from the Schedule V of the BA.

ENGL213