Course Resources Archive

This module aims to provide a rigorous theoretical base for the Masters Degree. It will provide an opportunity to interrogate media content (film, journalism, television, radio, online media], in terms of key underpinning theoretical concerns around context, reception, production and technology and consider the impact of these. Various concepts and theories will be examined in order to gain a fuller grasp of how we can analyse media content in greater depth.

The module is structured around the fundamental belief that key theoretical concepts and concerns are vital to fully appreciating the representation, production, consumption and use of mediated content in the 21stCentury. The aim of this module is to develop students to express themselves critically and analytically in theoretical work with a clear understanding of how that theory is and can be applied to real world examples. Students on this module will understand on a much deeper level the key ways in which media represent the world, are consumed and decoded, are produced and distributed, and the role of technology as a key driver in the media landscape. To this end, students will begin to develop a holistic sense of their field of interest through deeply analysing the examples they select. Students will practice high-level analytical skills for drawing out the multiple and complex ways in which media content promotes and challenges ideologies, engages audiences, is industrially produced and allows for creative interventions. During the four blocks of the module, students will be presented with a range of methodologies for researching media, which they can use in future research.

On successful completion of the module the student should be able to:

i. Critically analyse the social, cultural, economic and technological changes that have given rise to new interventions in and with media

ii. Critically assess the impact of media in personal, local, national and global contexts

iii. Demonstrate an in depth understanding of the relationship between production, content, distribution, consumption and creativity

iv. Analyse how citizens, audiences and fans engage, interact and produce media content by employing key media research methods

v. Work individually and collaboratively in the synthesis and analysis of independent research data

Staff/student contact: approx 36 hours (lectures, tutorials, student-led workshops)

Independent Study: approx 264 hours

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