Media in Society
| Module title | Media in Society |
|---|---|
| Module code | SOC2014 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Dana Wilson-Kovacs (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will explore how sociologists, anthropologists and cultural theorists understand the place, role and significance of traditional and new media in Western society. The module asks: how are media, culture and communication related? How is media changing and what are the implications of this process? How do people use and interpret media? In what ways are our identities mediated? What, for instance, do celebrity and gaming tell us about ourselves and our cultural values? With the use of specific examples, the module examines key issues and provides a basis to situate and critically appraise individual and collective experiences and socio-cultural change.
No prior knowledge of sociological perspectives is necessary. This module is suitable for both specialist and non-specialist students and its interdisciplinary outlook will appeal to students in social sciences and humanities.
Module aims - intentions of the module
The aim of this module is to introduce you to the ways in which sociologists, anthropologists and cultural theorists have conceptualised media in Western society. With the use of specific examples, the module will examine key issues in traditional and new media, and provide you with a basis to contextualise and critically appraise social change and collective and individual experiences.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate knowledge of different approaches to the study of traditional and new media
- 2. Analyse and evaluate key issues in the field in relation to specific themes, studies and findings
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Demonstrate the capacity to select relevant material and structure it in order to present coherent arguments
- 4. Acquire knowledge of debates in the field
- 5. Appraise a range of various perspectives
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. Undertake independent study and group work
- 7. Make good use of feedback
- 8. Act autonomously within agreed guidelines and manage time effectively to meet deadlines
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following themes over one or more week:
Traditional and new media: theoretical foundations, issues and questions
Audiences, users and consumers
The fourth estate: news and broadcasting
The entertainment industry and celebrity culture
Social networks and digital identities
Gaming
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | 128 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour weekly lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 11 | 11 x 1 hour weekly seminars |
| Guided Independent study | 80 | Module reading |
| Guided Independent study | 48 | Research/Writing for the essay plan and essay |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 1000 words | 1-6, 8 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class participation | 20 | Weekly contributions to seminar discussions | 1-8 | Written |
| Essay | 80 | 2750 words | 1-8 | Written |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class Participation | Written report 1500 words | 1-8 | August/September assessment period |
| Essay | Essay 2750 words | 1-8 | August/September assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Herman, E. S. (2002) Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass media. New York: Pantheon Books.
Jenkins, Henry. 2008. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. New York: New York University Press.
McLuhan, M. (1964) Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Rojek, C. (2001) Celebrity. London: Reaktion.
Wellman, Barry and Haythornthwaite, Caroline. 2002. The Internet in Everyday Life. Oxford: Blackwell.
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/
Course materials (including lecture slides and tutorial topics/questions) will be provided on ELE prior to each lecture/tutorial.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/12/2010 |
| Last revision date | 12/12/17 |
