Modules

Module title: Sociology of Media and Culture
SCQF level: 10:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: SSC10119
Module leader: Gavin Maclean
School School of Applied Sciences
Subject area group: Social Science
Prerequisites

Or college-level sociological study.
2019/0, Trimester 1, FACE-TO-FACE,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery: SIGHTHILL
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Gavin Maclean
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Each taught input uses a variety of resources to foster student engagement including in class exercises and group discussions and a reflective and critical approach to the subject matter is maintained through fostering an empirically grounded theoretical approach involving the use of detailed case studies and contemporary research materials.

Formative Assessment:
Throughout the module students will be able to discuss key themes and issues through the tutorial exercises to gauge their comprehension and to facilitate the practice of public speaking. Tutorials are set up to be discursive and student led with each week consisting of a paper reading and an activity based on current media and culture.

Students will have specific guidance in the tutorials on their first assignment with each tutorial linking to the essay options. Students are also asked to submit a draft report proposal in week 11 which they will then discuss with their tutor. This proposal is not graded but does allow them to benefit from the tutors suggestions and comments which they may then incorporate into their final project submission.

Summative Assessment:
Assessment 1: A 2000-2500 word essay assessing the content of the first half of the module. The topic will assess students understandings of social inequalities in terms of the consumption and/or production of media and culture.
Assessment 2: A 2000-2500 word report which enables the students to explore a particular media or cultural industries context in detail. Topic guides will be given but students are free to pursue areas of interest covered in the module they find relevant and appropriate. The report format enables students some freedom in presentation and to draw upon media sources to support their work.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 24
Face To Face Seminar 12
Independent Learning Guided independent study 164
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Essay 50 1,2,3,5 7 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 2500
Report 50 1,4,5 14/15 , WORDS= 2500
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

The role of the media and cultural industries in our society is a key source of academic and policy discussion with political events and media stories constantly drawing our attention to their powerful role in society. The purpose of this module is to introduce students to these debates through the sociological study of media and culture. The module will explore theories, concepts and methodologies from sociological and wider interdisciplinary approaches to help us understand the production and consumption of media and culture. The module begins by examining what we mean by culture and media, the interdisciplinary study of the subject, the policy context of these industries and explore theoretical perspectives to the consumption and production of media and culture. The module will then explore how social inequalities -based on factors such as social class, gender and ethnicity - are perpetuated through the production and consumption of culture. We will explore who gets to work in these industries, and who gets to be seen in these industries. The module will then explore a number of contexts within the media and cultural industries, including: TV & film; fashion; music; news production; and reality TV.
Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1. Compare and contrast the sociological approaches to media and culture
LO2. Critically evaluate the policy context of the cultural and creative industries
LO3. Analyse the ways in which the production and consumption of culture and media can perpetuate social inequalities
LO4. Critically apply sociological theories on the production and consumption of media and culture to specific contexts within the cultural industries
LO5. Develop existing critical reading, writing and presentation skills
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

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