Module Details

Module Code: MEDA C8Z29
Full Title: Media and Society 1
Valid From:: Semester 1 - 2019/20 ( June 2019 )
Language of Instruction: 
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits:: 5
Module Owner:: Ciaran Ryan
Departments: Unknown
Module Description: This module introduces students to some of the key concepts of sociology and cultural studies, by critically engaging with the works of key thinkers in the fields. Through relevant case studies, it also demonstrates how various analytical tools and methods are used in terms of studying media texts and audiences. That grounding will enable students to engage with questions around how class, sexuality, gender, and race are represented in historical and contemporary media texts. Furthermore, it examines the role of the media in contemporary society in terms of its ability to facilitate democracy, and as a proponent of globalisation.
 
Module Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Module Learning Outcome Description
MLO1 Recognise a number of sociological and critical approaches to understanding the role of mediated communications in society
MLO2 Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of ‘popular culture’ and its relationship with contemporary media and youth cultures.
MLO3 Develop an awareness of the research methods that are central to the study of media texts and media audiences.
MLO4 Show an understanding of the role the media plays in representing various social groups.
Pre-requisite learning
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named DkIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
No recommendations listed
 
Module Indicative Content
Introduction to Sociology
Origins of Sociology/ Historical Context – Early Sociologists (Comte – Marx – Durkheim – Weber) – Sociology of the Media.
Studying Culture
Types (high/elite, folk, pop/low) of culture – Popular culture and consumption/ consumerism – ‘The Culture Industry’
Media Research Tools
Audience ethnographies - Discourse Analysis – Genre – Narrative Analysis
Globalisation
History of globalisation – Cultural imperialism – ‘Glocalisation’ – Anti-Globalisation/National responses
The Media and Democracy
Media and the public sphere – Public Service Broadcasting – online activism
Theories of Youth Cultures
Sociological and psychological theorisations of youth - subcultures - neotribes - contemporary youth cultures
Media Representations
Stereotypes– media representations of ethnicity and race – social class and the media
Gender and Sexuality
Constructions of femininity and masculinity in the media and popular culture – online relationships and sexuality – pornography and its impact on mainstream media/society
Reality in the Media
History of realism – Realistic forms (photography, documentaries, soaps) – reality television and its subgenres – ‘poverty porn’ – ‘celebrification’ of reality television
Fandom & Celebrity Culture
Fandom and its practices - Celebrity and the media – the invention of 20th century celebrity persona – celebrities and power
Module Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Course Work70.00%
Final Examination30.00%
Module Special Regulation
 

Assessments

Full-time

Course Work
Assessment Type Continuous Assessment % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 8 Learning Outcome 1,2,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Group research project
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 10
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 4 Learning Outcome 1,3
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Annotated bibliography
Assessment Type Essay % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing S1 Week 12 Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
Essay
No Project
No Practical
Final Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 30
Marks Out Of 0 Pass Mark 0
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcome 1,2,3,4
Duration in minutes 0
Assessment Description
End of Module Formal Examination

DKIT reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part-time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact No Description Every Week 1.00 1
Directed Reading Non Contact No Description Every Week 2.00 2
Independent Study Non Contact No Description Every Week 3.00 3
Total Weekly Learner Workload 8.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Hodkinson, Paul. (2017), Media, Culture and Society, 2nd. Sage, London.
  • Giddens, Anthony & Sutton, Philip W.. (2017), Sociology, 8th. Polity Press, London.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Barry, Peter. (2017), Beginning Theory: An Introduction to Literary and Cultural Theory, 8th. Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  • Bennett, Andy & Kahn-Harris, Keith (Eds). (2004), After Subculture: Critical Studies in Contemporary Youth Culture, Palgrave Macmillan, Hampshire.
  • Berger, A.A.. Media and Communication Research Methods: An Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 2nd. Sage, London.
  • Devereux, Eoin. (2014), Understanding the Media, 3rd. Sage, London.
  • Duffett, Mark. (2013), Understanding Fandom: An Introduction to the Study of Media Fan Culture, Bloomsbury Academic, London.
  • Evans, Jessica and Hesmondhalgh, David. (2005), Understanding Media: Inside Celebrity, Open University Press, Berkshire.
  • Fiske, John. (2011), Understanding Popular Culture, 2nd. Routledge, London.
  • Gill, Rosalind. (2007), Gender and The Media, Polity, Cambridge.
  • Gillespie, Marie & Toynbee, Jason (Eds). (2006), Analysing Media Texts, Open University Press, Berkshire.
  • Hall, Stuart et al. (Eds). (2013), Representation, 2nd. Sage, London.
  • Storey, John. (2012), Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: An Introduction, Routledge, Oxon.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
This module does not have any other resources