SCY2022

Sociology of the mass media

Cathi Lewis

8 points
* 3 hours per week
* Second semester
* Peninsula
* Prerequisites: First-year SCY sequence or equivalent

Objectives During the subject students will have been confronted with theories and concepts which attempt to explain the place of the media in contemporary society; theoretical perspectives and philosophies which account for the historical development of public information in relation to the evolution of civil society; values and public philosophies which account for the important place of a `free press' in an open democratic polity; the threat to democratic society posed by postmodern media in relation to corporate ethics; the particular social, ethic, legal problems associated with such phenomena as pornography, censorship, libel laws and the information society.

Synopsis Critical analysis of the function of the popular media in the social distribution of knowledge; mass media as legitimators of order and the status quo; media organisations and their place within structures of economic and political power. Other areas examined are news and the social construction of reality; the media and images of deviance; advertising, symbols and stereotypes; the media and women's roles, etc. The structures and components of the media and the implications for content, format, and level of influence are also investigated.

Assessment Tutorial paper and presentation (2000 words): 30%
* Essay (3000 words): 40%
* Ten short class tests (approx. 5 minutes each): 30%

Prescribed texts

Ward I Politics of the media Macmillan, 1995