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IS40860

Academic Year 2024/2025

Media & Society (IS40860)

Subject:
Information Studies
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Information & Comms Studies
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Dr James Steinhoff
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

How does media shape society? How does society shape media? We are immersed in a complex and pervasive media culture, which makes it difficult for us to recognize the intricate relationship between media and society. This module will provide students the frameworks to approach this relationship through three key areas: Industry, Representation, and Audiences . Through looking at these three facets, the module will interrogate the ways in which the media operate as a field and an industry, how they interact with power and control, identity and culture along with how they might shape, mirror and represents society and how audiences, users or publics are positioned, receive and respond to the media and their messages. Through an analysis of the interplay between media and society, this module will make connections that will develop a more rounded understanding of themes and approaches which dominate the study of media, culture and society.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate an ability to apply the theoretical frameworks and models introduced by the module to a range of contemporary issues in media

Understand key perspectives on the role of media in shaping contemporary societies and worlds

Understand the constitution and role of the audiences and users of the media

Use a range of conceptual tools to carry out research on media and societal discourses.

Indicative Module Content:

Normative approaches to the media

Media Ownership and Regulation

Digitalisation, Commercialisation and Fragmentation

Media Work

Media Texts and Semiotics

Narrative and Genre

Representation, Visibility and Stereotypes

Conceptualising audiences: Users, Publics, or Media Consumers? Active and Participatory Audiences

Audiences and Cultural Identity

Reception Studies and Media Effects

Audiences as Media Producers: From letters to the editors to culture jamming

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

226
Lectures

12
Seminar (or Webinar)

12
Total

250

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures, peer and group learning, critical writing

Please note: Use of AI tools such as ChatGPT is not permitted. Use of AI-generated content without explicit permission and attribution will be considered as a form of academic misconduct.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Exam (Take-Home): Take home midterm exam Week 7 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
40
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Final research essay Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
60
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Summer No
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

The assessment requires that students engage with the concepts and theories discussed throughout the module. The feedback given will allow students to see where they performed well, and where and how their work could be strengthened.

Name Role
Christo Thomas Jacob Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Loise Macharia Lecturer / Co-Lecturer

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 16:50
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