Media studies
Neil Hanley
6 points * 3 hours per week * Second semester * Berwick
Objectives The objectives of this subject are to introduce the field of media studies and to place the development of media technologies into an historical, economic and social context. On successful completion of this subject students will be able to (i) demonstrate an historical appreciation of the impact of various media technologies on society; (ii) demonstrate a critical appreciation of the economic and political forces at work in the practices of the mass media; (iii) recognise and be able to apply some of the critical strategies available for understanding different kinds of media texts; (iv) analyse various media texts according to a diverse range of criteria such as: historical context, institutional and technical conditions of production, narrative structure, authorship and editing, representation of family, class, gender.
Synopsis This subject introduces students to methods for evaluating and critically analysing media texts. Areas of study include photography, advertising, television and television genres, news and film. Readings of selected examples of these will draw attention to the historical circumstances of developing media technologies and the ways that social, political and economic life are represented in various media genres. Some attention will be paid to selected aspects of media production but the primary emphasis of this subject is on the social role of the mass media and on the critical interpretation of its messages.
Assessment Two essays (3000 words): 50% * Oral communication/journal work: 10% * Examination (2 hours): 40%
Prescribed texts
As for GSC1901
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