MEDIA, COMMUNICATION AND SOCIETY - 2025/6

Module Overview

The module will examine different technological, institutional, textual and audience-related media studies with respect to the larger question of the relationship between media and societies/cultures more generally. The module will critically evaluate different theoretical and empirical approaches to this relationship, and examine the strengths and weaknesses of these different approaches.

Module provider

Sociology

Module Leader

WEIDHASE Nathalie (Sociology)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Key elements in the study of media: technologies, institutions, texts, and audiences/ ‘consumers’/ ‘users’

• Media re-presentation and construction of social relations

• Theories of ideology and hegemony in relation to media

• Contrasting perspectives on the role of media audiences and consumers

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

Their subject specific knowledge and cognitive/ analytic skills (lo 1-5).

Assessment one is designed to foster key academic skills, including reading and note-taking, referencing, and academic writing skills. These skills are tested via Surreylearn.

Assessment two will enable students learn and practice key academic techniques including researching and locating relevant material using data bases and library resources in relation to debates in media studies.  It will also test their ability to construct an argument that is well structured, well supported with academic literature and shows an appreciation of academic techniques and practices.

Assessment three- a one hour unseen examination - focuses on putting in to practice study skills and academic techniques practiced in the previous assessments.  They will be required to demonstrate subject knowledge and analytic skills as outlined in the learning outcomes and the ability to deploy appropriate vocabulary and relating areas of media sociology to wider debates.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

·         Study Skills Test

·         Extended bibliography exercises

·         One hour unseen examination

 

Formative assessment and feedback

Students gain formative feedback throughout the semester via the interaction of their ideas with peers and the tutor. There are also limited discussions in the lecture whereby ideas are exchanged and the lecturer provides feedback. All students are encouraged to ask questions and test ideas in relation to the assignments during the weeks preceding their submission.Students also receive detailed feedback on their first essay which is in week 5.

Module aims

• Provide a broad overview of key theories and debates about the relationships between media, communications, culture and society
• Identify the strengths and weaknesses of technological, institutional, textual and ‘consumer'/ audience-based approaches to analysing media
• Apply general theoretical and analytical approaches to empirical examples of media practice – including, for example, news, advertising, magazines and digital media

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

combine lectures and tutorials to foster understanding of central concepts, theories and research in Media Studies. Lectures focus upon providing a core background, enthusing students about the significance and importance of the topics and arguments, and enabling the understanding of core concepts and examples. Seminars enable students to develop greater depth of understanding through practical exercises and discussions centred on reading and connecting to key concepts from the lecture. Study skills sessions communicate professional academic skills that underpin study across the curriculum.

The learning and teaching methods include:

12 Lectures, 11 Tutorials, 10 study skills sessions, weekly reading and tutorial preparation, tutorial exercises, Study Skills Assignments on Surreylearn.

 

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: SOC1030

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2025/6 academic year.