Academic Writing

The purpose of this assignment is to assess the students' understanding of key concepts and their ability to apply critical analysis and writing skills to the development of a coherent theoretical argument. It should be 1500 words in length (excluding appendices and reference list). Please note that your reference list must contain a bare minimum of 8 monographs (i.e. books) and 4 journal articles. The Major Essay will be marked on the depth of the research undertaken, the argument presented, the depth of analysis, the coherence of the reasoning and the adherence to academic requirements. Write an Essay on one of the three topics listed below: Choose 1 of the following 3 essay topics: 1. Some theorists seem to suggest that the power to control communication is held by the producers of messages whereas other theorists argue that the power to control interpretations of texts are held by the consumers of culture operating within specific cultural contexts. Which of these positions is true? Why? OR 2. The analysis of communication as an object of study has occurred in diverse contexts and has been formulated in a variety of ways. A number of tensions and antagonisms have been manifest in the literature dividing the discipline of communication into different schools of thought. Outline these often opposing ideas and forces and analyse possible reasons for their development. OR 3. The transmission model of communication, despite being heavily critiqued from within the reception or cultural context school of thought which developed in reaction to it, still provides the primary conceptual basis for theorising and researching communication. Discuss.