MECM10003 Media and Society

University of Melbourne · Level 1 · 12.5 points · Runs in 2026: Semester 1.

• No final exam: all coursework
• About 3 class hours a week

Is MECM10003 hard?

MECM10003: Easier. #14 on the easy list for Bachelor of Science. Makes it easier: Reviewers say it’s manageable (10 reviews), No final exam, First-year subject.

What you learn

How media is made, shared and used, past and present, and what media theory says about its place in social and political life.

After it you can

• Use the main theories of media and society
• Read media texts critically
• Explain the role of media institutions as society changes

What you need first

None

Can’t be taken together with

• MECM20007

How it’s assessed

Assignments 25%, Tests 35%, Reports and essays 40%

Student reviews and ratings

Summarised from 10 students on StudentVIP (2018–2023)

• Lectures are theoretical, especially early on, and many found them dry; tutorials are discussion-based. The content picks up in the later weeks.
• The essay assignments were the highlight for most, with lots of freedom to pick a social or media issue. Several found it easy to score well if you like analytical writing.
• One reviewer warned that matching tutorial discussion is not enough for a H1: assignments expect a higher level than the class content.

Read the reviews

A summary of public reviews, not scored here.

Taken this subject? Rate it anonymously (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Rate MECM10003

Quick answers

When is MECM10003 offered?

Runs in 2026: Semester 1.

What do I need before taking MECM10003?

No prerequisites.

Does MECM10003 have a final exam?

No, there is no final exam. Assessment: Assignments 25%, Tests 35%, Reports and essays 40%.

Is MECM10003 hard?

From 10 student reviews on StudentVIP: Lectures are theoretical, especially early on, and many found them dry; tutorials are discussion-based. The content picks up in the later weeks.

What do students say about MECM10003?

Lectures are theoretical, especially early on, and many found them dry; tutorials are discussion-based. The content picks up in the later weeks. The essay assignments were the highlight for most, with lots of freedom to pick a social or media issue. Several found it easy to score well if you like analytical writing. One reviewer warned that matching tutorial discussion is not enough for a H1: assignments expect a higher level than the class content.

How many class hours a week does MECM10003 have?

3 h a week in class

Can I take MECM10003 as breadth?

Yes, for: Bachelor of Biomedicine, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre), Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art), Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science.

Can I rate MECM10003?

Yes. If you've taken it, rate it anonymously on this page (difficulty, workload, marking, would you recommend it) and leave a tip for next year's students. Averages show once 3 students have rated it; tips are checked before they appear.

Source: University of Melbourne Handbook 2026

Always confirm in the official Handbook.

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