COM2604
EXAM PACK
+27 81 278 3372
,UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
May/June 2022
COM2604
Media Studies: Mass communication and media theory
80 marks
2 hours
This paper consists of five pages.
Instructions:
1. This examination paper consists of five questions.
You have to select and answer ANY FOUR questions.
2. Please remember to submit your compulsory DECLARATION with the examination,
or you will get zero marks. (Refer to myModules – see the Additional Resources
page.)
3. Remember to correctly reference in the text all the sources that you have
consulted to complete this examination. You will be penalised if you do not reference
consistently. This is an open book timed-take-home exam.
4. Adhere to all other relevant technical presentation requirements set out in
CMNALLE/301.
5. Please remember to save your completed examination answer document in PDF
ONLY. No other formats will be accepted.
6. You are expected to use the INVIGILATTOR APP during the duration of the
examination.
7. The QR code provided below is only scannable for a limited time and it should
therefore be scanned as soon as possible to start the invigilation.
8. Scripts of students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be subject
to disciplinary processes, and results will be withheld pending the outcome of the
disciplinary process
[TURN OVER]
, 2 COM2604
MAY/JUNE 2022
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER FILE
Follow these steps to submit your take-home answer file.
MyExams platform
1) Use this link to access the myExams platform:
https://chs.myexams.unisa.ac.za
Login, using your student number and myUnisa password.
You will find your paper on the myExams module examination site.
2) How to upload your examination file
Access myExams at https://chs.myexams.unisa.ac.za and login, using your student
number and myUnisa password.
Go to your specific examination site through the site tabs on the horizontal navigation
bar. Also check your Sites link in the top right-hand corner if you do not find the site
on the horizontal navigation bar.
Once the site has loaded, select eAssessment in the navigation menu on the left.
A list of all available assessments in the site will be displayed.
Select the assessment for which you want to upload the examination answer file by
clicking on the title of the assessment in the list. A new page will open.
Submit your examination answer file.
NB: Please note that you can only upload the completed exam submission on the
myExams platform
You can also submit your examination answer file via this link:
https://chs.myexams.unisa.ac.za
3) Student Communication Service Centre
The SCSC operates from 07:00 to 22:00 on weekdays during the examinations. It
will also be available over weekends when exams are being written. 0800 00 1870
or
[TURN OVER]
, 3 COM2604
MAY/JUNE 2022
This examination paper consists of FIVE questions.
You have to select and answer ANY FOUR questions.
QUESTION 1
STUDY UNIT 3
APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF MASS COMMUNICATION
1.1 According to Fourie (2018:91), “[t]hroughout history people had their ‘media’
to communicate about matters of public interest”. Mass communication has
developed over time. Discuss this development by referring to the different
mass communication cultures as they developed over time. (4)
1.2 When we try to define mass communication, there are a number of related
questions. For example: “What is the message?” or “What do we mean by
‘audience?”. Define the terms “message” and “audience” and illustrate your
understanding of them by providing an example of each. (4)
1.3 There are different theoretical approaches to the study of mass
communication. Provide an overview of the normative media theory,
focusing on the role of the media in society, the underlying assumptions
of the theory and its core questions. (12)
[20]
AND/OR
QUESTION 2
STUDY UNIT 4:
THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MEDIA
2.1 Briefly define the following concepts as they relate to the media:
2.1.1 Functionalism (3)
2.1.2 Political functions of the media in a democracy (3)
2.1.3 Media pluralism (3)
2.2 Discuss how the African philosophy of ubuntu might function as a normative
theory for mass media in the South African context (or in the context of your
own country if you reside outside South Africa).
Consider the following criteria in your discussion:
2.2.1 An overview of the characteristics of ubuntu. (3)
2.2.2 The possible influence of ubuntu on journalistic values. (3)
2.2.3 The consequences of ubuntu as normative framework for the media. (3)
2.2.4 In conclusion, state your opinion on the feasibility of ubuntu as normative
theory for mass media in the South African context (or your own context if you
are not from South Africa). Give at least two reasons for your opinion. (2)
[20]
[TURN OVER]
EXAM PACK
+27 81 278 3372
,UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS
May/June 2022
COM2604
Media Studies: Mass communication and media theory
80 marks
2 hours
This paper consists of five pages.
Instructions:
1. This examination paper consists of five questions.
You have to select and answer ANY FOUR questions.
2. Please remember to submit your compulsory DECLARATION with the examination,
or you will get zero marks. (Refer to myModules – see the Additional Resources
page.)
3. Remember to correctly reference in the text all the sources that you have
consulted to complete this examination. You will be penalised if you do not reference
consistently. This is an open book timed-take-home exam.
4. Adhere to all other relevant technical presentation requirements set out in
CMNALLE/301.
5. Please remember to save your completed examination answer document in PDF
ONLY. No other formats will be accepted.
6. You are expected to use the INVIGILATTOR APP during the duration of the
examination.
7. The QR code provided below is only scannable for a limited time and it should
therefore be scanned as soon as possible to start the invigilation.
8. Scripts of students who have not utilised invigilation or proctoring tools will be subject
to disciplinary processes, and results will be withheld pending the outcome of the
disciplinary process
[TURN OVER]
, 2 COM2604
MAY/JUNE 2022
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ANSWER FILE
Follow these steps to submit your take-home answer file.
MyExams platform
1) Use this link to access the myExams platform:
https://chs.myexams.unisa.ac.za
Login, using your student number and myUnisa password.
You will find your paper on the myExams module examination site.
2) How to upload your examination file
Access myExams at https://chs.myexams.unisa.ac.za and login, using your student
number and myUnisa password.
Go to your specific examination site through the site tabs on the horizontal navigation
bar. Also check your Sites link in the top right-hand corner if you do not find the site
on the horizontal navigation bar.
Once the site has loaded, select eAssessment in the navigation menu on the left.
A list of all available assessments in the site will be displayed.
Select the assessment for which you want to upload the examination answer file by
clicking on the title of the assessment in the list. A new page will open.
Submit your examination answer file.
NB: Please note that you can only upload the completed exam submission on the
myExams platform
You can also submit your examination answer file via this link:
https://chs.myexams.unisa.ac.za
3) Student Communication Service Centre
The SCSC operates from 07:00 to 22:00 on weekdays during the examinations. It
will also be available over weekends when exams are being written. 0800 00 1870
or
[TURN OVER]
, 3 COM2604
MAY/JUNE 2022
This examination paper consists of FIVE questions.
You have to select and answer ANY FOUR questions.
QUESTION 1
STUDY UNIT 3
APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF MASS COMMUNICATION
1.1 According to Fourie (2018:91), “[t]hroughout history people had their ‘media’
to communicate about matters of public interest”. Mass communication has
developed over time. Discuss this development by referring to the different
mass communication cultures as they developed over time. (4)
1.2 When we try to define mass communication, there are a number of related
questions. For example: “What is the message?” or “What do we mean by
‘audience?”. Define the terms “message” and “audience” and illustrate your
understanding of them by providing an example of each. (4)
1.3 There are different theoretical approaches to the study of mass
communication. Provide an overview of the normative media theory,
focusing on the role of the media in society, the underlying assumptions
of the theory and its core questions. (12)
[20]
AND/OR
QUESTION 2
STUDY UNIT 4:
THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE MEDIA
2.1 Briefly define the following concepts as they relate to the media:
2.1.1 Functionalism (3)
2.1.2 Political functions of the media in a democracy (3)
2.1.3 Media pluralism (3)
2.2 Discuss how the African philosophy of ubuntu might function as a normative
theory for mass media in the South African context (or in the context of your
own country if you reside outside South Africa).
Consider the following criteria in your discussion:
2.2.1 An overview of the characteristics of ubuntu. (3)
2.2.2 The possible influence of ubuntu on journalistic values. (3)
2.2.3 The consequences of ubuntu as normative framework for the media. (3)
2.2.4 In conclusion, state your opinion on the feasibility of ubuntu as normative
theory for mass media in the South African context (or your own context if you
are not from South Africa). Give at least two reasons for your opinion. (2)
[20]
[TURN OVER]
