ATS2449 - Media texts - 2017

Media Texts introduces a range of ways of conceiving, composing and reading representation in general, and uses these techniques to analyse particular media texts. The unit considers how traditional depictions of media texts as narrative and as ideology underpin many common-sense readings of media representations, before broaching the analysis of such texts in terms of discourse and textuality. The unit also examines a range of compositional techniques with regard to their potential social, conceptual and corporeal effects, before speculating on how these techniques can connect with established textual histories and reading protocols to enable a range of interpretive possibilities.

On successful completion of this unit students will have:

1. an understanding of a range of theories informing the analysis of media representations
2. an ability to use these theories to conduct the analysis of media texts in both academic and journalistic contexts
3. a capacity to analyse a range of compositional techniques in terms of how they may be deployed to produce specific social, conceptual and corporeal effects
4. an awareness of the force of reading protocols and textual histories in directing both everyday and scholarly responses to media texts
5. an appreciation of the importance of cultural and communications theory for opening new possibilities in the everyday interpretation of media texts.

Within semester assessment: 60% + Exam: 40%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr Graham Jones

Twelve credit points of first-year Arts units.

ATS3449, COM2409, COM3409, GSC2409, GSC3409