Units / ATS3221
ATS3221 · The music industries
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 3Media
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
In this unit, you consider the central production, consumption and policy contexts of popular music. The unit examines how popular music remains a significant media and cultural industry in the production of content and meaning. It assesses the core music-media output across print, broadcasting, mobile media, film, internet and related media industries. The unit also looks at how government policy shapes music production and consumption, and how local music-making and listening is shaped by global media practices. This includes examination of key debates about music-media technologies, intellectual property frameworks and the impact of music across different media content.
Areas of study: Communications and media studies Media
Offerings
The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Presentation | Presentation | 10% | — |
| 2 | Analytical exercise | Exercise | 40% | — |
| 3 | Essay | Written | 50% | — |
Within semester assessment: 100%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.
Learning outcomes
- Discuss key media studies, popular music and cultural studies theories associated with popular music activity;
- Assess how popular music operates as part of local and global media industries;
- Critically and independently engage with key debates and issues within the popular music industries;
- Engage with music industry stakeholders;
- Explain and analyse course concepts and debates in written and oral forms, and undertake independent research.
Workload
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Tutorials | 24 hours |
| Lectures | 12 hours |
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