Overview

Whether we choose to engage with it or not, our lives are inevitably affected by the media on a daily basis, and is important for us all to understand the role and impact of the media in political, cultural and socio-economic contexts. The module will introduce you to key concepts, and examine the relevance and validity of media theories. You will then be able to apply these concepts and theories to analyse contemporary texts from different media. Particular attention will be given to news media and the impact of technological development within the media, and we will analyse changes brought about by the internet, digitisation and social media. We will also cover issues such as press ownership, notions of balance and bias in the press, censorship and media ethics.

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 Strategy

Threshold (40-49% / D- to D+): 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.

Satisfactory (50 – 59% / C- to C+): Student demonstrates reasonably comprehensive coverage of learning outcomes, indicating generally accurate understanding, based on lecture material and some core readings. Some gaps in knowledge and/or understanding evident.

Good (60-69% / B- to B+): 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.

Excellent (70% + / A- to A*): 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.

Learning Outcomes

• Apply the theory and practice of textual criticism and analysis to media texts

• Describe the content and impact of various types of mass media

• Explain the role of print and electronic media in contemporary society

• Understand and use key media-studies concepts