BJ1S37 - Critical Culture 1 15 Jul 2019 - 11 Aug 2026 | Version 2

Associated Module Information

Module Code: BJ1S37
Module Title: Critical Culture 1
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Paul Appleby,
Module Team: Lyndon Jones, Gwyneth Moore
First Intended Intake: SEP 2016 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100443 - media production
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 2
Valid From 15 Jul 2019
Valid To 11 Aug 2026

Module Aims

This module will introduce students to a broad overview of the media industry, by exploring recent history and development of the subject in relation to present day practices.

Rather than being a survey module, this module will concentrate on developing students’ critical ability to engage with current debates surrounding media cultures. Issues like privacy versus freedom of information; the relationship between a web presence and the person creating the web presence;representation; media control etc. will be addressed. The module thus aims to explore the changing relationship between media formats, their products and contemporary culture.

Content Summary

For media student-practitioners to understand their role within contemporary culture, it is important that they understand the history, development and heritage of their industry.

This module will explore how TV, Radio and Interactive media reflects and challenges the values of society, and use case studies and examples to demonstrate how media products become a barometer of, and sometimes a catalyst for, social change.

Students will also develop the appropriate academic skills needed to research, analyse, evaluate, and appropriately communicate informed opinions.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 18
Seminar 18
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 64
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate an ability to research, analyse, and evaluate information, and to subsequently develop, and effectively communicate, an informed critical opinion.
LO2 Demonstrate a broad understanding of the recent history and cultural/social influence of the media industry.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 2 Report - Written report in response to a defined assignment title 0 200 50 No 40
Written Assignment (CW) Essay (CW) 1 Theoretical Review - Exploring and applying theoretical concepts in a written form 0 200 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay (CW) 2
Essay (CW) 1

Reading List

Branston, G. and Stafford, R. (2010) The Media Student’s Handbook. 5th edn. London: Routledge.

Briggs, A. & Burke, P. (2009) A Social History of the Media: From Gutenberg to the Internet London: Polity

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

Johnson, B, Glynn, B & Aston, J (2012). Television, Sex and Society: Analyzing Contemporary Representations. London: Continuum

Long, P. and Wall, T. (2012) Media Studies: Texts, Production, Context. Harrow: Pearson Education.

Mulvey, L & Sexton, J (2007). Experimental British Television. Manchester: Manchester University Press

Railton, D & Watson, P (2011). Music Video & the Politics of Representation. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Turnbull, S (2014). The TV Crime Drama. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press

Biressi, A & Nunn, H (2005). Reality TV: Realism & Revelation. New York: Wallflower Press

Barlow, D. & Mills, B (2009) Reading Media Theory. Harlow: Pearson