There are no pre-requisites for this module to be added

The media and cultural industries have a key role in shaping our understanding of the social world with political and societal events often accessed via the products of these industries. The purpose of this module is to develop a broadly sociological understanding of media and culture. The module will explore theories, concepts and methodologies from sociology, cultural studies and wider interdisciplinary approaches to help you to 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 explores how social inequalities - through exploring ideas from social class analysis, gender theory, queer theory, critical race approaches and disability studies - are perpetuated within the cultural industries. The module explores who gets to work in these industries and who gets to be seen in culture. The module explores how cultural products - music, TV, film - can relate to their time and social context. The module then explores a number of debates within the media and cultural industries, from social media platforms and so-called 'AI', to debates around journalism, (state) censorship and free speech, to TV, film and music.

Upon completion of this module you will be able to

LO1: Compare and contrast social and cultural theory approaches to media and culture.

LO2: Demonstrate understanding of the practices and 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: Apply concepts and theories from sociology and cultural studies to analyse elements of cultural production, consumption or expression.