Media, Film and Communication Studies Programme, University of Otago

03/09/2026

What do our academics do during the study break? We do research! This week Assoc Prof 👨‍🏫 Brett Nicholls attended the JOURNALISM, MEDIA & DEMOCRACY conference at AUT - Auckland University of Technology. Brett presented a paper on “Structural Asymmetry: Immediacy, late fascism and Pauline Hanson’s grip on the Australian imagination”.
He was also the interlocutor for keynote, Timothy Ström (pictured here), who addressed “Artificial Intelligence in Cybernetic Capitalism”.

Ping Division of Humanities, University of Otago

02/09/2026

At postgrad level, Catherine Fowler leads our team taught Honours paper, Advanced Media, Film & Communication Theory / MFCO 401
&
Global Audiences / MFCO 518 is our brand *new* MA level paper for our inaugural cohort of MComms students. This paper will be taught by Paola Voci.

02/09/2026

At third year, in sem 1, we have two electives on offer
Indigenous Media Studies / MFCO 318, coordinated by Yuki Watanabe
&
Culture, Politics & Media / MFCO 313, led by Michael Daubs.

02/09/2026

We also have electives at second year, including a revised version of
Media Genres / MFCO 213 focusing on musicals and spy films and led by Christian Long
Global Media & Communication / MFCO 212 led by Rachel Anna Billington
&
Communication Research Methods / MFCO 205 & 305, also taught by Rachel.

02/09/2026

Next up, we have our second year papers, including our core papers:
Theory of Communication Studies / MFCO 202 with Olivier Jutel
&
Theory of Film & Media Studies / MFCO 210 with Christian Long.

02/09/2026

Paper selection for 2027 opens soon! Start course planning for Sem 1 next year early and check in with out course advisors Rosie Overell and Brett Nicholls if you need guidance.
First up let’s look at our 100-level papers:
Screen, Form & Culture / MFCO 101 with Catherine Fowler
&
Introduction to Communication Studies / MFCO 103 with Rosie Overell

31/08/2026

The discourse and, we might venture, mythology of the psychopath is something we tackle in MFCO / CRIM 225 CRIME AND THE MEDIA. We watch David Fincher’s MINDHUNTER and, rather than take scientific positivism as ‘objective’ in terms of designating a pathological ‘type’ - the psychopath - we look at the psychopath as largely a 1970s invention … produced not only by psychiatry, and the rise of specialist criminology in ‘behavioural science’ but ALSO via a media culture obsessed with ‘serial killers’.

Dr Rosie Overell teaches the paper right now, and in 2nd sem 2027!

People with persistent predatory personalities cause an inordinate amount of pain. Recently, our shared understanding of them has grown – and it could help protect us

28/08/2026

Excellent recognition of Dr Olivier Jutel and his skateboarding 🛹 crew’s work with the local community!
Ka te pai the Fryatt Street project crew!