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MODULE DESCRIPTOR
Module Title
Media and Society
Reference CBM006 Version 1
Created March 2022 SCQF Level SCQF 11
Approved June 2018 SCQF Points 15
Amended August 2017 ECTS Points 7.5

Aims of Module
To enable the student to appraise critically the functions, roles and place of the media in society.

Learning Outcomes for Module
On completion of this module, students are expected to be able to:
1 Assess the historical, societal, cultural and organisational contexts and cultures of media.
2 Develop a critical understanding of theoretical approaches and apply this to the study of the media industries.
3 Analyse the ways in which the media industries are owned, controlled and regulated.
4 Define and appraise critically the process within which media and communication practitioners assess, select and package information at different levels for the audience.

Indicative Module Content
Historical, cultural and organisational contexts of the media; theoretical approaches to the study of the media; mediation process; development of press (including the international press) and broadcasting; journalistic process - newsworthiness/news values, information gathering, sources, construction; global news culture; representation/agenda-setting; audiences; construction of reality; news management; the global media corporations; digital media; constraints and regulation, ownership and control of media industries.

Module Delivery
This is a lecture based course supplemented with tutorial and seminar sessions. Students are expected to prepare for seminars and contribute to the discussion of the topics. Distance learning students will be expected to participate actively on the discussion threads.

Indicative Student Workload Full Time Part Time
Contact Hours 36 36
Non-Contact Hours 114 114
Placement/Work-Based Learning Experience [Notional] Hours N/A N/A
TOTAL 150 150
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
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.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
Students are also expected to access journal literature (Journal of Communication Studies; Media Culture and Society) and quality newspapers (The Guardian; The Independent; The Times; The Economist; The Spectator).

INDICATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY
1 BALNAVES, M., DONALD, S.H. and SHOESMITH, B., 2009. Media theories and approaches: a global perspective. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan
2 BRANSTON, G. and STAFFORD, R., 2010. The media students' book. 5th ed. London: Routledge. ebook
3 CURRAN, J. and SEATON, J., 2018. Power without responsibility: press, broadcasting and the internet in Britain. 8th ed. London: Routledge.
4 JIN, D.Y., 2013. De-convergence of global media industries. London: Routledge
5 LINDGREN, S., 2017. Digital Media and Society. London: Sage.
6 McQUAIL, D., 2011. McQuail's mass communication theory. 6th ed. London: Sage.
7 MULLIGAN, C., 2016. The Communications Industries in the Era of Convergence. London: Routledge.

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