Studying online (if an online offering is shown below)
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
The media influences community perceptions around the application of new technologies or knowledge. In this unit students will explore the influence of the on-line media on how our society views current high profile issues around agriculture, food, environmental management and application of biotechnology. Issues will be identified and discussed in class throughout the unit. Students will chose a topic of interest to them; it may be of local, national, international or global significance. Options include: the potential of genetically modified crops to enhance global food security, the need for greater management of the Murray Darling system, fire management in southern Australian forests or whether we all should be encouraged to eat less meat. Students will explore their topic though choosing a high-profile specific aspect of it, which has been highlighted in the past 12 months in the media, but with contrasting viewpoints expressed. They will then compare the media views to those in the peer-reviewed scientific literature through identification of appropriate papers and careful assessment of their rigour and relevance. They will write a short report and present results to the class.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
Availability Location Mode Not available in 2025 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Outcomes
Students are able to (1) critically assess scientific literature; (2) communicate a critical analysis of contrasting viewpoints in both written and oral form; and (3) understand the need for a robust scientific literature to underlie media viewpoints.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) written report; (2) workshop attendance; and (3) final presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Professor Megan Ryan
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Enrolment in
- Incompatibility
- Unit(s) ECON5006 Topics in Agricultural Economics
- Contact hours
- 1 hour contact per week for 10 weeks. The total work requirement for the unit is 150 hours.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.