Analysis of Issues and Trends in the Communication Industry (COM308)

The media industry is constantly changing. Today’s communication environment is increasingly sophisticated and complicated, fuelled by technological advancement and a global economy. How does the audience make sense of a communication system that is saturated with information? Analysis of Issues and Trends in the Communication Industry provides students with a roadmap for understanding an ever-changing media industry by reviewing emerging trends in the various media sectors and topics, such as trends and issues pertaining to the different forms of media evolving into each other’s spaces as well as the amalgamation and dwindling of media ownership. Students will also be introduced to various analytical frameworks and applied research methods in the various media sectors. Students will be equipped with the knowledge of how analysis and research shape trends, messages and market direction in the communication industry.

• Changing landscape of the communication industry
• Distinctiveness of the communication industry
• Evolution of the communication industry
• Market Model and Public Sphere Model
• Trends in media ownership
• Global communication economy
• Analytical frameworks
• Research application for print and broadcast media
• Research application for digital and social media
• Trends in communication technology
• Evolving communication
• Audience, media and public policy

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the different types of analysis and applied research applications for communication and media practices.
• Analyse current trends and issues in the communication industry.
• Appraise the process of applied communication research.
• Distinguish among the different analytical methods and the outcomes they can achieve.
• Prepare a feasible action plan and solution for emerging issues in the media and communication industry.
• Propose appropriate analytical framework and methodologies for different needs in the communication industry.
• Evaluate challenges in the media and communication industry.