BJ2S42 - Media Theory in Practice 24 Mar 2016 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BJ2S42
Module Title: Media Theory in Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Philip Mitchell
Module Team: Gwyneth Moore
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100443 - media production
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 24 Mar 2016
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

• Equip students with the ability to assimilate a range of complex ideas about issues and debates in media production and handle the documents that express these ideas.
• Deepen students’ confidence in articulating their own thoughts about such ideas.
• Encourage students to begin developing their own areas of research interest in, for example, broadcast or interactive media, and to begin to interrogate the relationship between theory and practice.
• Further develop transferrable skills in evidence-gathering and analysis.

Content Summary

This module aims to show students the empowering nature of theoretically-informed enquiry in asking and answering questions that might otherwise be missed. It builds on the theoretical concepts encountered in the first year with a sharper focus on a selection of specific theories and methodologies from the social sciences and cultural studies.
Students will examine research case studies into, for example: political economy of media production; the establishment of occupational norms; issues around effects theory; and the negotiation of meaning by audience.
They will re-examine these theories o build their own argument around them. They will create radio, audio-visual or web based content to further explore these ideas and arguments.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 24
Seminar 24
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Students will be able to understand major theoretical and methodological approaches deployed in the critical analysis of issues in media production
LO2 Students will develop a critical ability to assimilate, analyse, discuss and compare key debates and issues in media production, texts, audiences and policy; and communicate these in an articulate manner.
LO3 Students will be able to apply theoretical understandings to a practical project

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Oral Assessment (CW) Presentation (CW) 1 Outline, through a presentation, a viable and original research project that you would consider doing on a topic related to this module 10 N/A 20 No 40
Practical _Practical Assessment 1 Create an audio/ video/ interactive project that communicates your critical thinking around key debates and issues in media production. Your project could be based on the idea that you outlined in your presentation. 10 1200 80 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Presentation (CW) 1
_Practical Assessment 1

Reading List

Allan, S. (2010) News Culture. (3rd ed.) Maidenhead: Open University Press.

Hesmondhalgh, D. (2012) The Cultural Industries. London: Sage.

Hall, S., Evans, J. and Nixon, S. (2013) Representation: Cultural 3. Representations and Signifying Practices. (2nd ed.) London: Sage.

Harcup, T. (2009) Journalism: Principles and Practice. London: Sage.

Long, P. and Wall, T. (2012) Media Studies: Text, Production, Context. (2nd ed.) Harlow: Pearson.

Zelizer, B. and Allan, S. (2010) Keywords in News and Journalism Studies. Maidenhead: Open University Press.