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Module LXE-3200:
Press Dossier (20)

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics

20 Credits or 10 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr David Miranda-Barreiro

Overall aims and purpose

This module aims to familiarise students in depth with a topical issue relevant to one or more countries/regions in which the target language is spoken, through the analysis of contrasting types of press and media; enhance students' knowledge and understanding of the cultures and societies in which the target language is spoken; develop an understanding of different types of press and media available in the target language, as well as their varying influences on the formation of public opinion; advance students' language skills in the target language, particularly comprehension skills - especially through the examination of different styles and registers - as well as written language skills and grammatical precision; foster analytical skills introduced during level two, whilst allowing students to build on specific areas of interest developed during their year abroad.

Course content

This module provides single honours students with the opportunity to examine a topical issue relevant to one or more countries/regions in which the target language is spoken. The chosen issue will be examined through the prism of the press and media, in order to develop an understanding not only of the specific issue in question, but also of the media landscape of the relevant society. The resulting dossier will comprise the analysis of contrasting media and press types in their coverage of the chosen topic, as well as an assessment of their importance in influencing public opinion. The dossier will be written in the target language.

The primary materials for this module will be press and media articles gathered by the student. Many such materials will be accessible online; other materials will be available in the form of magazines and newspapers subscribed to by the School of Modern Languages.

Secondary reading will depend on the chosen subject area, and will predominantly comprise of printed publications and online sources.

Assessment Criteria

threshold

D- - D+: Basic grasp of key issues pertaining to the chosen topic and the relevant media landscape. Limited ability to analyse and understand issues in their context, drawing on textual evidence and broader social, cultural and political awareness. Basic understanding of the use of rhetoric, register and style in the target language, and an ability to present basic arguments in the target language with a limited degree of linguistic accuracy.

good

C- - B+: Good grasp of key issues pertaining to the chosen topic and the relevant media landscape. Some ability to analyse and understand issues in their context, drawing on textual evidence and broader social, cultural and political awareness. Good understanding of the use of rhetoric, register and style in the target language, and an ability to present arguments in the target language with a degree of linguistic accuracy.

excellent

A- - A*: Excellent grasp of key issues pertaining to the chosen topic and the relevant media landscape. Clear ability to analyse and understand issues in their context, drawing on textual evidence and broader social, cultural and political awareness. Excellent understanding of the use of rhetoric, register and style in the target language, and an ability to present advanced arguments in the target language with a high degree of linguistic accuracy.

Learning outcomes

  1. Display a detailed understanding of a topical issue in one or more countries/regions in which the target language is spoken.

  2. Present and structure arguments in an extended piece of independent study, supported by textual evidence and broader social, cultural and political awareness.

  3. Display a broader understanding of the relevant social, political and cultural implications of the chosen topic.

  4. Display a clear understanding of the media landscape of a given society, through the detailed study of contrasting types of press and media, and an assessment of their influence on public opinion.

  5. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the use of rhetoric in the target language and an ability to analyse a variety of styles and registers.

  6. Display advanced comprehension and written language skills in the target language.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Written assignment, including essay proposal 10
INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION presentation 10
Written assignment, including essay dossier 80

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
 

2 x 2 hour seminars in weeks 1 and 2 (to address expectations of module, research methods, planning, analysis etc.). Individual supervision: 30 minutes every other week (= 5 hours total).

9
Individual Project 191

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • 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.
  • 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

Subject specific skills

  • Extract and synthesise key information from written and/or spoken sources in English / Welsh and/or the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • The ability to organise and present ideas within the framework of a structured and reasoned argument in written and/or oral assignments and class discussions. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • Critical skills in the close reading, description, reasoning and analysis of primary and secondary sources in the target language and/or English or Welsh (incl. filmic, literary and other sources). (Benchmark statement 5.13, 5.14, 5.15)
  • The ability to gather information, analyse, interpret and discuss different viewpoints and to place these in a wider socio-cultural and/or geo-historical and political and/or socio-linguistic context and to revise and re-evaluate judgements in light of those of the course leader, certain individuals or groups studied and/or fellow students. (Benchmark statement 5.13, 5.15 and 5.16)
  • The ability to write and think under pressure and meet deadlines. (Benchmark statement 5.15)
  • The ability to write effective notes and access and manage course materials including electronic resources / information provided on online learning platforms and library resources. (Benchmark statement 5.15, 5.16)
  • The ability to work creatively and flexibly both independently and/or as part of a team. (Benchmark statement 5.15).
  • The ability and willingness to engage with and appreciate other cultures and to articulate to others (in written and verbal form) the contribution that the culture has made at a regional and global level. (Benchmark statement 5.7)
  • The ability to comprehend, critically engage with and apply relevant theoretical concepts to materials being studied. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
  • The ability to engage in analytical, evaluative and original thinking. (Benchmark statement 5.14)
  • Critical understanding of key topics in the sphere of modern critical, cultural and translation theory, highlighting landmark figures and offering close readings of segments of their texts. (Benchmark statement 5.10)
  • The ability to organise and present ideas and arguments in presentations, classroom discussions and debates. (Benchmark statement 5.14, 5.16)
  • Develop reading and audio-visual comprehension skills in the target language through the study of primary sources in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)
  • Sensitivity to and appreciation of contrasting types of press and media in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.7, 5.10)
  • The ability to develop and manage an independent research project in English/Welsh. (Benchmark statement 5.10, 5.15, 5.16)
  • The ability to comprehend and apply cultural idioms by studying primary and secondary materials in the target language. (Benchmark statement 5.3, 5.4)

Resources

Pre- and Co-requisite Modules

Courses including this module

Optional in courses: