The Media in Europe
| Module title | The Media in Europe |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL3051 |
| Academic year | 2024/5 |
| 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
This module covers the relationship between politics and the media which involves examination of both media policy and political communication. You will 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
This module examines the relationship between political systems and the media. The module allows the student to explore this relationship by means of comparative investigation of media systems in European countries. It provides students with a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory structures of different mass media systems, the main policy issues relevant to the contemporary media, and rationales based upon the process and effects of political communication. At the end of the module students will be both knowledgeable about, and proficient in, the comparative analysis of mass media systems within Europe. The module addresses both the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives, models and explanations and key issues of media freedom and pluralism, and their 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 market convergence.
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
Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:
- Introduction to the module
- markets and theory
- the press in Europe
- the role of public service broadcasting in Europe
- broadcasting markets and policies
- EU broadcasting regulation
- the EU’s Digital Single Market
- film subsidies, state aid and international trade rules
- the UK media market
- the UK regulatory structure
- provision of news
- the media in France
- the media in Germany (decentralisation)
- Nordic media models
- the Media in Italy
- media freedom in Central and Eastern Europe
- internet regulation
- media ownership global trends
- China and the piracy debate
Teaching for this module will be through a combination of lectures, and student led seminars.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 256 | 0 |
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 | 200 words | 1,2,4,5,6,9 | Written feedback |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 40 | 40 minutes (equivalent to 3000 words) | 1-10 | Written feedback |
| Essay | 60 | 4,000 words | 1-10 | Written feedback |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | 40 minutes (equivalent to 3000 words) | 1-10 | September to March reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (4,000 words) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Ariazza Ibarra, K.; Kuhn, R. and Nowak, E. (Eds) (2015) Public service media in Europe: A comparative approach. London: Routledge.
D’Haenens, L.; Trappel, J. and Soussa, H. (Eds) (2018) Comparative media policy, regulation and governance in Europe, Chicago: Intellect.
Donders, Karen, Caroline Pauwels, Jan Loisen (eds), (2014) The Palgrave Handbook of European Media Policy, London, Palgrave Macmillan. http://encore.exeter.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb2642145
Hallin, Daniel and Paolo Mancini (2005) Comparing Media Systems. Cambridge University Press.
Evens, T. & Donders, K. (2018) Platform power and policy in transforming television markets. New York, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Humphreys, Peter (1996) Mass Media Policy in Western Europe, Manchester, Manchester University Press.
Lowe, G.F.; Van den Bulck, H. and Donders, K. (2018) Public service media in the networked society. Göteborg, Nordicom.
Rooke, Richard (2009) European Media in the Digital Age. Longman.
Trappel, Josef Media in Europe today (2011) Euromedia Research Group.
Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Communication (2021) http://communication.oxfordre.com/page/past-updates/
Valcke, Peggy, Miklos Sukosd, and Robert Picard (2015) (eds), Media Pluralism and Diversity (Palgrave Global Media Policy and Business). http://encore.exeter.ac.uk/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3274580
| 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 | 16/05/2022 |
