GRDE2026 Creative Design Studio

Write a formal essay discussing an issue addressed in or generated by any of the topics and/or readings . For instance, you may choose to discuss and evaluate the relevance today of different conceptions of media audiences with reference to a specific medium or communications technology. Or you might identify and evaluate arguments about the effects of consumerism and commodification on the existence and operation of the public sphere. Or you might discuss the relationship between identity, agency and media consumption; etc.

Present your discussion as an engagement with the key debates. This means examining competing ideas or positions and giving adequate representation of views that challenge your position and/or common-sense or widely accepted views. You do not need to argue in support of any particular position, but if you do, you should support that argument with an engagement with the strongest counter-arguments to your positions.

Your response to this task will be assessed according to the extent to which you:

demonstrate engagement with the ideas and arguments presented in the readings, by

Identifying key ideas and debates about consumption and/or communication

Applying insights from the readings to examples of contemporary consumption practices and communications media

Evaluating competing accounts of consumption and/or communication

Subjecting common-sense and we -established ideas about media, communications and consumption to critical scrutiny

Giving fair and adequate representa ion to views and positions discussed

Speculating on the implications of particular perspectives/arguments for the study and evaluation of particular forms or practices of culture