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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Media and Society
Reference CB1002 Version 2
Created February 2024 SCQF Level SCQF 7
Approved June 2018 SCQF Points 15
Amended April 2024 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To provide students with an analytical overview of the structure, function and role of the media in society.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Describe the structure of the key sectors that comprise the media.
2 Explain key historical and contemporary developments of the media.
3 Identify and analyse the major challenges affecting the media.
4 Discuss the ways in which the media industries are controlled and regulated.
5 Reflect upon the dynamic and fluid nature of the contemporary media and the implications of this for society and culture.

Indicative Module Content
Structure, ownership and regulation of contemporary media industries; nature and range of content including newspapers, advertising, broadcast and web-based and social media discourses; audiences and media effects; media measurement; media representation and framing, public relations and branding; ethics; national and global media markets; convergence and mass self-communication. The module engages students with UNESCO's Education for Sustainable Development Anticipatory, Critical Thinking, Systems Thinking, Normative, Collaboration, and Integrated Problem-Solving competencies in terms of: a) considering inequalities within global communication systems b)reflecting on issues of representation and diversity within media c) understanding the complexity of different media systems and analysing their respective character; d) developing critical approaches to media texts and 5) applying critical media practice to climate change and other crises driving global inequality.

Module Delivery
This module will consist of lectures and contextualised tutorials, and student-centred learning in the form of directed reading and some aspects of independent research.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 30 N/A
Non-Contact Hours 120 N/A
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 N/A
Actual Placement hours for professional, statutory or regulatory body    

ASSESSMENT PLAN
If a major/minor model is used and box is ticked, % weightings below are indicative only.
Component 1
Type: Coursework Weighting: 100% Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Description: Individual Written Assessment

MODULE PERFORMANCE DESCRIPTOR
Explanatory Text
The calculation of the overall grade for this module is based on 100% weighting of C1. An overall minimum grade D is required to pass the module.
Module Grade Minimum Requirements to achieve Module Grade:
A The student needs to achieve an A in C1.
B The student needs to achieve a B in C1.
C The student needs to achieve a C in C1.
D The student needs to achieve a D in C1.
E The student needs to achieve an E in C1.
F The student needs to achieve an F in C1.
NS Non-submission of work by published deadline or non-attendance for examination

Module Requirements
Prerequisites for Module None.
Corequisites for module None.
Precluded Modules None.

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 ATHIQUE, A., 2013. Digital media and society: an introduction. Oxford: Polity
2 BARLOW, D. and MILLS, B., 2009. Reading media theory: thinkers, approaches, contexts. London: Pearson-Longman.
3 BRANSTON, G. and STAFFORD, R., 2010. The media student's book. 5th ed. London: Routledge. ebook
4 CURRAN, J. and MORLEY, D., 2006. Media and cultural theory. London: Routledge.
5 CLIFFORD, C. et al., 2017. Media ethics: cases and moral reasoning. London: Routledge.
6 HESMONDHALGH, D., 2013. The cultural industries. London: Sage.
7 JIN, D.Y., 2013. De-convergence of global media industries. London: Routledge.
8 SMITH-MAGUIRE, J. and MATTHEWS, J., 2014. The cultural intermediaries reader. London: Sage.

Robert Gordon University, Garthdee House, Aberdeen, AB10 7QB, Scotland, UK: a Scottish charity, registration No. SC013781