Module BIC-0017:
Media Studies (News Media)

Module Facts

Run by Bangor University International College

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Mrs Laura McKenzie

Overall aims and purpose

The aims of this module are to introduce students to the key concepts underpinning a range of media activities. It considers the role and impact of the media in the context of wider society through a study of the news media. Students are also to be introduced to the notion of textual criticism and theory. In terms of study skills, the module aims to assist students develop their skills of critical thinking and problem solving and to function more effectively as independent learners.

Course content

Key concepts which students will be required to apply to the examples of media activity and range of texts and subject matter studied throughout the module include Representations, Institutions, Language (including Narrative and Genre), Values and Ideology and Audiences.

Students review the past, present and possible future roles of the media in society, analyse and evaluate a range of national and local newspapers in terms of approach, journalistic values and target audience. They consider issues around ownership of press and broadcasting, values and ideology and market segmentation.

Students engage in analysis and evaluation of media coverage of a current news issue or story (both print and broadcast), chosen to facilitate coverage of notions of balance and bias, censorship and journalistic ethics.

Students also study variety within the media and the impact of technological developments – the Internet, 24 hour news coverage, digitisation, use and influence of social media, both in creating and ‘reporting’ news stories

Assessment Criteria

threshold

Student has made sufficient progress in the study of this module to achieve the lowest level of pass allowing for progression onto an undergraduate degree.

excellent

Student has engaged consistently well with all aspects of the module and strong achievement in assessments indicates the ability to perform effectively at undergraduate degree level.

good

Student has displayed a sound basic knowledge and understanding of much of the material studied in this module and achieved a high enough grade to indicate a clear ability to cope with the demands of an undergraduate level degree.

Learning outcomes

  1. Show a knowledge of the role of print and electronic media in contemporary society

  2. Demonstrate an awareness of the range and variety within the mass media

  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts involved in media studies

  4. Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and practice of textual criticism and analysis

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION Individual Presentation

You will conduct research about an area related to media ethics. Your specific topic and brief will be given in Week 4.

 25.00
COURSEWORK Coursework

You will select two media texts about which to write a comparative study. These should be contemporary texts from an English-language source. You should analyse the texts using the key concepts and theories we have covered during the course. You should select your own project topic and title. This should be checked by your tutor before you begin. Examples and writing frameworks will be given to you before you start to work on the project.

 75.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

50 hours of contact time per week in lecture style seminars.

 50
Private study

50 Hours of private study per week

 50

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sentistevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses: