Course Resources Archive

This module will provide students with a theoretical and historical background into music and media cultures and industries. It will explore how these industries have converged and become increasingly integrated into a global ‘entertainment industry’. Despite globalisation, local models also prevail. For example, the module will explore the tradition of Public Service Broadcasting in Britain, locating it in an historical context and considering its changing role in shaping British culture. The module will also examine how deregulation of media markets has led from a shift from ‘public service’ to ‘public interest’ models. Students will identify key technological developments, which have impacted upon the industries and will consider changes within a political and socio-economic context.

Students will develop an understanding of the world of the music and media industries within a theoretical and historical context and consider influential technological developments. These have combined to link music and media companies through patterns of ownership, with large global conglomerates working across media and producing cultural products as well as communications technologies.

Students will learn about processes of integration and media synergy when exploring this context. The module will examine how the regulatory framework has altered, particularly in Britain, so that media markets have become liberalised and competition increased in a range of media sectors.

Students will be encouraged to develop information seeking skills and learn where and how to access archive materials for research purposes. They will have an opportunity to focus on specific industries in a case study, in order to consider the area they may wish to specialise in for placement in level 5

A student passing this module should be able to:

1.     Understand the key historic developments underlying the contemporary industries.

2.     Understand key technological, social, political, industrial and cultural forces behind the development of the music and media industries.

3.     Explore and analyse the influence of political and cultural climates and how they impact the development of the music and media industries.

4.     Explain key moments in the regulation of media industries and explore the role of prime movers within them.

5.     Explain the shift from 'public service' to 'public interest', and from 'broadcasting' to 'narrowcasting', and examine how this has opened up new media markets.

Demonstrate independent learning by completion of a portfolio of work-based activities.

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.