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2010/1 Module Catalogue
 Module Code: SOC1009 Module Title: MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY (1)
Module Provider: Sociology Short Name: SCNM101
Level: HE1 Module Co-ordinator: GREEN NC Dr (Sociology)
Number of credits: 20 Number of ECTS credits: 10
 
Module Availability

Year
Assessment Pattern
2000 word assignment (25%) group presentation (25%) and one examination (50%).
Module Overview

·         To provide a broad overview of key theories and debates concerning the relationships between media, culture and society.

 

·         To identify the strengths and weaknesses of technological, institutional, textual and user-based approaches to the understanding of media and communication.

 

·         To apply general theoretical approaches to examples, including news, advertising, magazines and digital media.

 

·         To encourage and enable the use of IT in the sociological study of media.

 
Prerequisites/Co-requisites
Module Aims

·        To provide a broad overview of key theories and debates concerning the relationships between media, culture and society.

 

 

·        To identify the strengths and weaknesses of technological, institutional, textual and user-based approaches to the understanding of media and communication.

 

 

·        To apply general theoretical approaches to examples, including news, advertising, magazines and digital media.

 

 

·        To encourage and enable the use of IT in the sociological study of media.

 

 
Learning Outcomes

At the end of the module, the student will:

 

 

·        Have an understanding of core perspectives in the sociological study of media.

 

 

·        Be able to critically evaluate theoretical models in relation to one another and in relation to empirical examples.

 

 

·        Recognise the rationale behind different approaches to the analysis of media.

 

 

·        Be able to utilise information technologies for the purpose of researching and presenting arguments and debates relating the sociology of media.

 

 
Module Content

Module Content

 

·       Key elements in the study of media: technologies, institutions, texts, users.

 

·       Media re-presentation and construction of social relations.

 

·       Theories of ideology and hegemony in relation to media.

 

·       Contrasting perspectives on the role of media consumers.

 

·       News and ‘information’ media.

 

·       Specialist media, advertising and consumer culture.

 

·       Use of IT for research and presentation

 

 
Methods of Teaching/Learning

Lectures and classes
Selected Texts/Journals

Required Reading :

 

Croteau, D. & Hoynes, W. (2000), Media Society, London : Pine Forge Press.

 

Grossberg, L., Wartella, E. & Whitney, D. (1998), Media Making, London : Sage.

 

 

Recommended Reading :

 

Fiske, J (1997), Introduction to Communication Studies, Routledge

 

Stevenson, N. (2002), Understanding Media Cultures – 2nd Edition, London : Sage.

 

McQuail, D. (2000), McQuail’s Mass Communication Theory – 4th Edition, London : Sage.

 

McQuail, D. (ed.) (2002), McQuail’s Reader in Mass Communication Theory, London : Sage.

 

O'Sullivan, T. & Jewkes, Y. (1997), The Media Studies Reader, London : Arnold.

 

 
Last Updated

Sept 2010