Course Resources Archive

This module explores radio as a set of institutions but also as a text made sense of by audiences. It examines how the radio text works to create meaning, how & why material is selected, scheduled and contextualised by producers & presenters. It begins to examine in some detail the form and function of talk on the radio and explores how this acts to bind together broadcaster and listener.

Through lectures, seminars, and guest lectures you will examine the institutional structures of radio and begin to analyse how these determine what we hear as listeners. As well as exploring contemporary radio you will look into UK radio’s roots and examine how this continues to impact on the make up of the industry today. You will begin to develop critical listening skills though in-class critique of radio content, and begin exploring how to apply basic discourse analysis to radio. You will be introduced to

A student passing this module should be able to:

1) Demonstrate a sound, basic understanding of the relationship between radio’s institutional structures and its output2) Apply that understanding to case studies using basic tools of discourse analysis

3) Demonstrate a sound understanding of the three tiers  of contemporary UK radio

4) Demonstrate understanding of radio’s codes and conventions.

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