The Media in Europe
| Module title | The Media in Europe |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3051 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 30 |
| Module staff | Professor Alison Harcourt (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 30 |
|---|
Module description
Looks at the relationship between politics and the media which involves examination of both media policy and political communication. You’ll explore the relationship between politics and the media by means of comparative investigation of media systems in European countries.
Module aims - intentions of the module
In this module you will look at the relationship between politics and the media which involves examination of both media policy and political communication. The module allows you to explore the relationship between politics and the media by means of comparative investigation of media systems in European countries. It provides you with a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory structures of different mass media systems, the main policy issues relevant to the contemporary mass media, and the process and effects of political communication. At the end of the module you will be both knowledgeable about, and proficient in the comparative analysis of, mass media systems within Europe with regard both to media regulation and policy and to political communication. It addresses the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives, models and explanations. The module addresses key issues of media freedom and pluralism, and its role in democratic pluralism. This requires investigation of patterns of regulation, private and public ownership, the tension between the market and public interest goals, and the trend towards commercialisation.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Be cognizant about regulation of the media industry in theory and practice. Identify policy goals and outcomes.
- 2. Be competent in European regulation and the comparative analysis of national media regulatory frameworks.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Critical analysis of primary and secondary source material.
- 4. Understanding of theory and models.
- 5. Ability to construct and present rigorous oral and written argument.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Communicate effectively in oral and written work
- 7. Independent study and group work including the presentation of material for group discussion.
- 8. Successful use of IT for the retrieval and presentation of information.
- 9. Advanced oral and written communication skills (via PowerPoint presentations, course work and assessed essays).
- 10. Use of on-line interactive material and discussion group.
Syllabus plan
Teaching for this module will be through a combination of lectures, and student led seminars.
1. Introduction to the module 2. Theories of the media 3. Press regulation (traditional models) 4 the role of public service broadcasting in Europe 5. Broadcasting regulation (private markets) 6. EU broadcasting regulation 7. Europe's information society 8. film subsidies and state aid 10. The UK media market 11. The UK regulatory structure 12. Provision of news 13. The media in France 14. The media in Germany (decentralisation) 15. Scandinavian media models 16. the Media in Italy 17. Policy transfer and Eastern Europe 18. Internet regulation 19. Media ownership global trends 20. China and the piracy debate
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 44 | 22 x 2 hour seminars |
| Guided Independent study | 256 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in seminar discussions | weekly | 1,2,4,5,6,9 | Verbal feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 50 | 2 hours | 1-10 | Written feedback |
| Essay | 50 | 4,000 words | 1-10 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (2 hours) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (4,000 words) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Freedman, Des (2008) The Politics of Media Policy. Polity Press.
Humphreys, P. (1996) Mass Media Policy in Western Europe, Manchester, Manchester University Press.
Kuhn, Raymond (2007) The Politics and the Media in Britain Palgrave.
McQuail, Denis, Dr. (Editor), and Kelly, Mary, Dr. (Editor), and Mazzoleni, Gianpietro, Dr. (Editor) (2006) The Media in Europe. Sage.
McQuail, D. (1998) Mass Communications Theory London, Sage.
| Credit value | 30 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 15 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2008 |
| Last revision date | 26/06/2012 |