SE1108: Introduction to Media Communication
School | Language and Communication |
Department Code | ENCAP |
Module Code | SE1108 |
External Subject Code | Q310 |
Number of Credits | 20 |
Level | L4 |
Language of Delivery | English |
Module Leader | Dr Virpi Ylanne-Thomas |
Semester | Spring Semester |
Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
This double module develops basic approaches to the study of media communication, relevant to a wide range of media - from TV programmes to magazine advertisements and social networking sites.. What is distinctive about particular media forms and genres? We look at how news gets produced, and analyse news stories and advertisements using methods of discourse analysis. We also look at broadcast conversation, as well as at the new forms of communication in electronic mail and the world wide web.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
On completion of the module a student should be familiar with the most fundamental scholarly approaches to media communication and be able to analyse media texts in their specific social and political context.
How the module will be delivered
Lectures (20) and seminars (10). Assignments and guided reading (130 hours).
Skills that will be practised and developed
On completion of the module a student should be able to read academic texts of different levels of complexity; assess the value of key concepts in media communication; express an argument clearly; research and write an academic essay.
How the module will be assessed
Coursework (50%); and Written Examination (50%)
Assessment Breakdown
Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
---|---|---|---|
Exam - Spring Semester | 50 | Introduction To Media Communication | 1 |
Written Assessment | 50 | Coursework | N/A |
Syllabus content
The media world: functions, processes and effects
Making news: news production, news values; structure and organisation of news stories
News as story and news as ideology: a critical approach to the construction of reality, attitudes and beliefs
Broadcast talk: as institutional discourse, or conversation in radio and TV
Advertising: aesthetics; the use of narrative; social and cultural meanings and ideologies
New media: new technologies for communication; computer-mediated discourse; online identities and communities
Essential Reading and Resource List
Crystal, D. (2001) Language and the Internet.
Macdonald, M. (2003) Exploring Media Discourse
Marshall, J. and Werndly, A. (2002) The Language of Television.
O’Keefe A. (2006) Investigating Media Discourse.
Richardson, J. (2007) Analysing Newspapers
A Course Reader will be available for this module from Blackwell’s bookshop from the start of semester 2.