EN1S31 - Language and the Media 01 Aug 2024 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: EN1S31
Module Title: Language and the Media
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Culture and Animation
Faculty Sub Group: Culture
Module Leader: Ayo Amuda
Module Team: Barrie Llewelyn
First Intended Intake: SEP 2022 Final Year of Intake: 2027
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 4
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes:
HECOS Code Weighting:

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Aug 2024
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

This module will address core concepts in and critical theories of sociolinguistics, rhetorical, semiotic and (critical) discourse analytic techniques. Students will learn how to apply these tools in a range of contexts: political discourse, everyday talk, warring words, and media discourse. T&L on the module will encourage them to broaden their reading, develop their knowledge of the different genres of media writing and deepen their competence and confidence in creating and critiquing written texts and other forms of media.

Content Summary

Themes explored in the T&L on this module will include: discourse, politics and propaganda; discourse and conflict: ‘warring’ words; media discourse and the myth of “objectivity”; discourse of prejudice, discrimination and racism; ‘who do you think you are?’ and ‘bad’ language and taboo talk.

Writers’ workshops will examine texts and media output including: reviews, news stories, features, obituaries, and persuasive writing. Discussions will focus on the craft of writing including point of view, words and contexts, sentences, paragraphs, narrative structure and a sense of audience. Students will be prompted to create their own media writing which will be critically assessed by their peers in facilitated workshops.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Directed Study 72
Independent Study 72
Practical classes and workshops 14
Seminar 11
Lecture 11
Formative Assessment - Independent 12
Formative Assessment - Scheduled 8
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Describe the structure, level and discourse functions of the English Language.
LO2 Recognise professional standards in presentation of information in written, oral or online format.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Essay 0 1500 65 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Creative writing 1 Composition 0 1500 35 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Essay 1
Creative writing 1

Reading List

Holmes, J. & Wilson, N. (5th edn) (2017) An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. Routledge.
Jones, R. H. (2nd edn) (2019) Discourse Analysis: A Resource Book for Students. Routledge.
Meyerhoff, M. (3rd edn) (2019) Introducing Sociolinguistics. Routledge.
Mooney, A. & Evans, B. (5th edn) (2019) Language, Society and Power. Routledge.
Richardson, J. (2007) Analysing Newspapers: An Approach from Critical Discourse Analysis. Palgrave Macmillan.

Yvette Cooper, ed, She Speaks: Women's Speeches That Changed the World, from Boudica to Greta, Atlanta Books, 2020
Jack Guinness, The Queer Bible, Harper Collins, 2021

A selection of online and print materials will be updated regularly. Media examples might come from such sources as the Times, the Guardian, The New Yorker, the Huffington Post, various online blogs and podcasts.