AZA1279 - Media and society - 2019

The central objective of the unit is to help students understand the relationships between media, culture and society, that is, how media influence and are influenced by social, economic, historical, political and cultural factors in society. It introduces students to how media content is produced, distributed and consumed and also examines the ways in which power and influence are exercised through media in cultural and social life. It also includes introduces the concept of 'new media', and the interplay between youth culture and the media.

In this unit teaching staff aim to provide you with a range of conceptual frameworks for understanding the relationships between media, culture and society.

On successful completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the historical development of media industries;
2. Recognise and be able to apply available frameworks for critically understanding the relationships between media, culture and society;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the social, economic, political and cultural factors that shape the production, distribution and consumption of media;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the impact of the emergence of the new media on society and on the old media.
5. Demonstrate an appreciation for the interplay between youth culture and the media.

Within semester assessment: 65% + Exam: 35%

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

Communication and media studies - South Africa