School of Humanities  
 
 
MDS-10008 Mediated World  
Co-ordinator: Dr Siobhan Holohan    Room: CBC0.010, Tel:34230  
Teaching Team: Dr Siobhan Holohan, Dr James  Hardie-Bick Dr Emma  Head Mrs Victoria  Norman Mr Scott  McGowan Miss Jo-Anne  Watts Miss Claire  Lewendon Prof Malcolm  Crook Dr Elizabeth  Poole Dr Gary  Kelsall, Mr Daniel  Fletcher  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 1 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office: Tel: 01782 733147
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

Film Studies Dual Honours (Level 1)
Film Studies Minor (Level 1)
Music Technology Dual Honours (Level 1)
Music Technology Minor (Level 1)
Music Technology Single Honours (Level 1)
Sociology Dual Honours (Level 1)
Sociology Major (Level 1)
Sociology Minor (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description

Mediated World aims to introduce students to some of the main theories and debates found in contemporary media, communication and cultural studies. In this course we examine how the mass media has come to dominate our everyday life $ú from the spaces we inhabit, to the beliefs we hold and values we share $ú while analyzing our individual and collective role in this complex relationship. By looking at how and why the tools developed by societies $ú from the first printing press to today&©s high speed internet $ú have been used for mass communication, we will probe how power is constructed in media messages and ask whether the consumers of such messages can ever wrest back control over meaning.

Aims

- To introduce students to the key ideas, theories and thinkers in media, communications and cultural studies
- To enable students to critically examine the key works in this area and to understand how they relate to contemporary debates in media, communication and cultural studies
- To introduce students to university level academic skills such as using the library, essay writing, and debating



Intended Learning Outcomes

Identify specific theories related to media, communication and cultural studies and discriminate between these and 'common sense' views will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Demonstrate an understanding of the roles of mass communication systems, modes of representation and systems of meaning in the ordering of societies will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Demonstrate an awareness of the social, economic and political forces that influence and affect the creative industries will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Demonstrate an understanding of how mass media technologies have emerged through historical process will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Evaluate and apply theoretical approaches to the study of media, communications and cultural studies will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Consider and evaluate their own work in a reflective manner will be achieved by assessments: 3
Conform to academic conventions will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3




Study hours

20 contact hours (10 lectures / 10 tutorials)
50 hours tutorial preparation
60 hours assessment preparation
20 hours portfolio preparation



Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay weighted 40%
1500-word essay


02: 2 Hour Exam weighted 40%
Two-hour unseen exam (2 hours, 3 questions)


03: Portfolio weighted 20%
Three one-page study skills assessments, plus one-page reflective summary
1. Formative assessment of five study skills linked to content of course may include: taking lecture notes, reading to write, referencing and library use, essay plan and in-class quiz, all overseen by tutor. 2. Students will be asked to include three (out of a possible five) of their best pieces of work for summative assessment. Indicative Topics / Skills covered 1. Effective note-taking in lectures: An early lecture will include advice on note-taking in lectures. Students will be asked to present an early set of lecture notes to their tutor for comment / improvement. The student will be able to include the re-worked notes in the final portfolio. 2. Reading to write: Students will be shown how to effectively read key texts in one of the early seminar sessions. This will include how to identify main points, how to note up the text, etc. They will be asked to present a one-page summary of one of the key texts. 3. Library and referencing skills: Students will be shown how to access data from the library and reference correctly. They will be asked to gather references from a range of sources used in the module (book, journal, electronic journal, internet source, etc) and present them in the correct bibliographic form. 4. Essay writing: Students will be asked to produce a one-page essay plan for one of the topics covered on the course so far. This will include a one-paragraph statement of thesis. 5. Exam skills: Students will sit an in-class test based on topics covered in the course. Students will be asked to include a one-page reflective account of the skills that they have developed during the semester.


Version: (1.05A) Created: 23/Apr/2012

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.