
Module UXS-3055:
Privacy and the Media
Module Facts
Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media
20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Prof Andrew McStay
Overall aims and purpose
The module takes an expansive view of what we mean by media to include networked environments, television, journalism, social media, and more. Through a balance of theory and case studies, students will develop awareness of the various ways in which privacy can be conceived, its philosophical understandings and industrial realities; technologies and philosophies of surveillance; and questions of identity and power. Students will eventually use their range of theoretical, technical and economic insight to make recommendations to key stakeholders in privacy matters.
Course content
Week 1: Introduction: What is privacy and why does it matter? A historical/theoretical perspective.
Week 2: Nothing to hide, nothing to fear: myth and Western roots of privacy
Week 3: Journalism: a complex relationship with privacy
Week 4: The Snowden leaks: a call for better surveillance
Week 5: Encryption: simultaneously public and private
Week 6: Platforms: disruption, connection and new social actors
Week 7: Reading Week
Week 8: Big data: machine learning and the politics of algorithms
Week 9: Re-introducing the Body: intimate and wearable media
Week 10: Empathic media: towards ubiquitous emotional intelligence
Week 11: Sexting: exposure, protocol and collective privacy
Week 12: Summary and assessment guidance
Assessment Criteria
threshold
D- to D+
Submitted work is adequate and shows an acceptable level of competence as follows:
- Generally accurate but with omissions and errors.
- Assertions are made without clear supporting evidence or reasoning.
- Has structure but is lacking in clarity and therefore relies on the reader to make links and assumptions.
- Draws on a relatively narrow range of material.
good
C- to B+
Submitted work is competent throughout and may be distinguished by superior style, approach and choice of supporting materials. It:
- Demonstrates good or very good structure and logically developed arguments.
- Draws at least in parts on material that has been sourced and assessed as a result of independent study, or in a way unique to the student.
- Assertions are backed by evidence and sound reasoning.
- Accuracy and presentation in an appropriate academic style.
excellent
A- to A*
Submitted work is of an outstanding quality and excellent in one or more of the following ways:
- Has originality of exposition with the student’s own thinking being readily apparent.
- Provides clear evidence of extensive and relevant independent study.
- Arguments are laid down with clarity and provide the reader with successive stages of consideration to reach conclusions.
Learning outcomes
-
Display robust understanding of the philosophical/theoretical complexities of concepts of privacy, surveillance and the 'public good'
-
Display understanding specific areas of law and policy that should guide privacy and be able to offer insight onto the philosophical norms that inform these
-
To be able to critically analyse new media developments in light of specific theories on privacy and surveillance
-
To be able to critically analyse new media developments in light of specific theories on privacy and surveillance
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Group Presentations | 50 | ||
Report - Essay 2,500 words | 50 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Private study | 177 | |
Tutorial | One-to-one discussion (1 per semester: opportunity to meet and discuss specific points of theory or assessment) |
1 |
Seminar | Seminar/workshops: (1 per week) |
11 |
Lecture | Lectures: (1 per week) |
11 |
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- 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 sensitevely 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
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
Courses including this module
Optional in courses:
- W3P3: BA Astudiaethau'r Cyfr & Cherdd year 3 (BA/ACC)
- T103: BA Chinese and Creative Studies year 4 (BA/CHCS)
- W890: BA Creative&Professional Writing year 3 (BA/CPW)
- WPQ0: BA Creative Studies year 3 (BA/CST)
- WPQB: BA Creative Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/CST1)
- WQ93: BA Creative Stds & English Lang. year 3 (BA/CSTEL)
- WR91: BA French and Creative Studies year 4 (BA/CSTFR)
- WR92: BA German and Creative Studies year 4 (BA/CSTG)
- WR93: BA Italian and Creative Studies year 4 (BA/CSTITAL)
- WW93: BA Creative Studies and Music year 3 (BA/CSTMUS)
- WR94: BA Spanish & Creative Studies year 4 (BA/CSTSP)
- WP83: BA Media Studies & Creative Wrtng year 3 (BA/CWMS)
- W620: BA Film Studies year 3 (BA/FLM)
- W62B: BA Film Studies (4 year with Incorporated Foundation) year 3 (BA/FLM1)
- 2W89: BA Film Studies (with International Experience) year 3 (BA/FSIE)
- PP53: BA Journalism and Media Studies year 3 (BA/JMS)
- PP5B: BA Journalism & Media Studies (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 3 (BA/JMS1)
- 3HPQ: BA Media Studies and English Literature year 3 (BA/MEN)
- P3R1: BA Media Studies with French year 3 (BA/MSFR)
- P3R2: BA Media Studies with German year 3 (BA/MSG)
- P310: BA Media Studies with Game Design year 3 (BA/MSGD)
- P3R3: BA Media Studies with Italian year 3 (BA/MSIT)
- PW33: BA Media Studies and Music year 3 (BA/MSMUS)
- LP33: BA Media Studies and Sociology year 3 (BA/MSSOC)
- P3R4: BA Media Studies with Spanish year 3 (BA/MSSP)
- P3R5: BA Media Stud with Spanish (with International Experience) year 4 (BA/MSSPIE)
- P3WL: BA Media Studies with Theatre and Performance year 3 (BA/MSTP)
- P3WB: BA Media Stud with Theatre & Perform (4yr with Incorp Found) year 3 (BA/MSTP1)
- W839: BA Professional Writing with Game Design year 3 (BA/PWGD)
- P3W9: BA Professional Writing and Media year 3 (BA/PWM)
- M1P1: LLB Law with Media Studies year 3 (LLB/LMS)
- W900: MArts Creative Practice year 3 (MARTS/CP)