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+) Has shown knowledge of key areas and principles but there is a weakness in understanding the subject area. Work shows limited evidence of background study and research. Answer is only poorly focussed on question and with some irrelevant material and poor structure. Some arguments are presented but lack coherence. Oral presentation can be somewhat hard to follow and there is no attempt to engage the audience.

Satisfactory (50–59% / C- to C+) Has shown knowledge of the key areas and principles and the main elements of the subject area are understood. Work shows limited evidence of background study and research. Answer is focussed on question but also with some irrelevant material and weakness in structure. Arguments are presented but lack coherence. Oral presentation is mostly understandable but there can be strain for the listener at times. Speaker attempts to engage the audience.

Good (60-69% / B- to B+) Has shown a strong knowledge and understands most of the subject area. Work shows evidence of background study and research. Answer is focussed, has a good structure, and contains coherent arguments. Oral presentation is generally clear throughout and engages the audience in parts.

Excellent (70%-100% / A- to A*) Has shown a comprehensive knowledge and detailed understanding of the subject area. Work shows extensive background study and research. Answer is highly focussed, well-structured and contains logically presented and defended arguments. Oral presentation is highly engaging and clear throughout.

Learning Outcomes

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

• Explain the content, role and impact of different types of mass media in contemporary society.

• Understand and use key media-studies concepts.