Overview

This module will provide students with an overview of the historical development of the media from the early modern period to the present day, but with a primary emphasis on 20th Century history. Students will examine the relationship between social change and comminication technologies, and be asked to analyse individual media texts in their broader cultural, political, social and economic contexts. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the way in which audiences, producers, policy-makers and civil society have influenced the formation and early development of key media institiutions. The module will also look at the development of media studies as an academic discipline, as well as the emergence of media history - and its associated historiography - as a distinct branch within the discipline.

Assessment Strategy

The module will be assessed by two pieces of work. The first will be analysis of a historical media artefact or artefacts drawing upon conceptual and theoretical frameworks discussed on the module. This assessment will take the form of a 20-minute individual presentation.

The second assignment will be an essay, podcast episode or video essay where students are asked to respond to one of a number of questions set by the module leader.

Both assignments will be assessed accoring to the standard marking criteria found in Appendix 3 of Bangor University Regulations for Taught Programmes Regulation 01: 2021 Version 1.1

Learning Outcomes

• Apply an understanding of historical events to the analysis of media texts

• Discuss the ways in which historical events are represented in a variety of media forms

• Identify key developments in the history of media studies as an academic discipline

• Illustrate how historical forces have shaped the establishment and development of media institutions