MODULE OUTLINE: MECS1000 STUDYING MEDIA AND

CULTURE BA Hons (Joint, Minor), Mandatory (Open), 30 credits

2019-2020

UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER Dr Barbara Mitra

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Contents Intended Learning Outcomes: ............................................................................................................... 1

Attendance Requirement: ..................................................................................................................... 1

Contact Details: Dr Barbara Mitra ......................................................................................................... 1

Feedback from us to you –.................................................................................................................... 2

Feedback defined: ............................................................................................................................. 2

Changes to MECS1000 based on student feedback ............................................................................ 1

Different teaching methods/ activities for different learning styles:-...................................................... 3

Visual ................................................................................................................................................. 3

Auditory.............................................................................................................................................. 3

Kinaesthetic ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Tactile ................................................................................................................................................ 3

Adaptability ........................................................................................................................................ 3

- Part 1: Plan for your semiotic analysis ...................................................................................... 3

- Part 2: Semiotic analysis essay ................................................................................................ 3

Part 1: Formal Formative Submission: (Assignment ONE) .................................................................. 4

Plan for your Semiotic Analysis ......................................................................................................... 4

Deadline for Formal Formative Assessment ......................................................................................... 5

Part 2: Formal Summative Submission (Assignment ONE): Semiotics Essay ..................................... 5

Semiotic Analysis: 1,500 words, 40% ............................................................................................... 5

Semiotic analysis assignment details. .................................................................................................. 5

1. Defining Semiotics .................................................................................................................... 5

2. Doing the analysis ..................................................................................................................... 5

3. What should be in the conclusion ............................................................................................. 5

4. Writing the essay ....................................................................................................................... 6

5. Number of references to include ............................................................................................... 6

6. Length of assignment ................................................................................................................ 6

7. Are quotations and references included in the word count ....................................................... 6

Deadline for Assignment One: .............................................................................................................. 6

Returning of Assignment One ............................................................................................................... 6

Assignment Two: ................................................................................................................................... 6

Part 1: Content analysis planning ...................................................................................................... 6

Part 2: Content analysis .................................................................................................................... 6

Part 1: Formal Formative Submission (Assignment TWO): Content Analysis planning (150 words) ... 7

Deadline for Assignment Two: .............................................................................................................. 7

Returning of Assignment Two ............................................................................................................... 7

Part 2: Formal Summative Submission (Assignment TWO): Content Analysis Essay ......................... 7

Content analysis essay (2000 words) and blog contribution, 60%. .................................................. 7

Writing the content analysis essay - what you should include. ............................................................. 8

Sections for the assignment .............................................................................................................. 8

1. Define content analysis ............................................................................................................. 8

2. Method ...................................................................................................................................... 8

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3. Critical evaluation of 4 key texts................................................................................................ 8

4. Explore how your content analysis relates to these themes ..................................................... 8

5. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 9

6. List of References ..................................................................................................................... 9

7. Appendix ................................................................................................................................... 9

Blog Contribution (Two parts) (No word limit) This needs to be done online. ................................... 9

Deadline for Assignment Two ............................................................................................................... 9

Returning of Assignment Two ............................................................................................................... 9

Mitigating Circumstances .................................................................................................................... 10

What to do if you cannot submit an assignment ............................................................................. 10

Reassessment Details:- ...................................................................................................................... 10

Reassessment assignment 1 .......................................................................................................... 10

Reassessment assignment 2 .......................................................................................................... 10

Reassessment Deadline:- ................................................................................................................... 10

Where will my lectures and seminars take place? .............................................................................. 10

Please see the live timetable ........................................................................................................... 10

Weekly Schedule MECS1000 ............................................................................................................. 10

Fridays 3.15-6.15 (semester 1) ....................................................................................................... 10

Fridays 2.15-3.15 and 4.15-6.15 (semester 2) ................................................................................ 10

Weekly schedule ............................................................................................................................. 10

Topics : ............................................................................................................................................ 10

Associated Readings ....................................................................................................................... 10

Week 1 ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Week 2 ......................................................................................................................................... 10

Week 3 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Week 4 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Week 5 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Week 6 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Progression week 1: 04/11/2019 to 08/11/2019 .............................................................................. 11

Week 7 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Week 8 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Week 9 ......................................................................................................................................... 11

Week 10 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 11 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 12 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Christmas and Revision/Assessment weeks: 23/12/2019 to 17/01/2020 ....................................... 12

Week 13 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 14 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 15 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 16 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 17 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 18 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

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Progression Week 2 02/03/2020 to 06/03/2020 .............................................................................. 12

Week 19 ....................................................................................................................................... 12

Week 20 ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Week 21 ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Week 22 ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Easter 06/04/2020 to 17/04/2020 .................................................................................................... 13

Week 23 ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Week 24 ....................................................................................................................................... 13

Assignment 2 due: 8th May 2020 by 3pm ........................................................................................ 13

Your module reading list can be found at:- ......................................................................................... 13

Grading Criteria based on 4 components: .......................................................................................... 13

Key Transferable Skills ....................................................................................................................... 14

Steps in Blog Contribution................................................................................................................... 16

Step 1: ............................................................................................................................................. 16

Step 2 .............................................................................................................................................. 17

Step 3: ............................................................................................................................................. 18

Getting feedback on your assignment via Turnitin .............................................................................. 19

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On successful completion of the module, students should be able to:

1. Identify principal issues in Media and Cultural Studies. 2. Gain a basic understanding of the three core areas in Media and Cultural Studies. 3. Develop in-depth textual analysis and research skills. 4. Argue using appropriate academic discourse in a variety of formats.

You are expected to attend all taught sessions; non-attendance may significantly affect your ability to complete successfully a module and may jeopardise your ability to undertake re-assessment in the event of failing a module. If you are unable to attend a scheduled session for some unavoidable reason, you must email the module tutor. Please include in your email your name and student number, the module code and name, the date of the missed session, and your reason for missing it. You should make sure that you also contact your module tutor to make arrangements to catch up on any work you have missed.

If you have accrued two or more unexplained absences, you will be required to attend a tutorial interview with the module leader, your personal academic tutor, and the course leader to discuss the impact of your attendance on your performance and progress.

Link to Class Cancellation Policy https://www2.worc.ac.uk/registryservices/documents/classcancellationpolicy.pdf

Room: Currently 115 Bredon

Email: b.mitra@worc.ac.uk

I am always happy to meet with students – it is probably best to email to make an appointment or respond to my emails. I will also have office hours available outside my office door.

I tend to answer emails fairly quickly – except when they go into my junk email folder. I don’t tend to reply on weekends, bank holidays or University closed days.

If you have emailed me and I haven’t replied, (after 2 working days) it means I have not received your email and you may want to resend it.

(Working days do NOT include bank holidays, Saturday, Sunday or University Closed days)

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Feedback defined:

Information about a person’s reaction to something, performance of a task, engagement with a topic, information which results in changes in thinking, behaviour or responses.

Feedback can take different forms but can include verbal feedback in seminars and tutorials, as well as written feedback on work.

The module content has been re-evaluated and rewritten to include textual analysis and audience research skills (which also gives you skills that may be useful in future employment).

Students also wanted online submission for all assignments. This has now been implemented.

Students wanted more examples for the second assignment and examples. This has been incorporated into the module.

Students wanted the session on content analysis to be conducted earlier and to have a mini deadline for a plan for assignment 2.

I have already booked the computers at intervals throughout the modules to enable more online activities to be embedded.

Students were not always aware where to access feedback on Turnitin, so I have included information on this at the end of this module outline.

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Visual Images on PowerPoints

Boards and posters used in seminars

TV programmes

Videos on PowerPoint

Videos made to support topics

Your independent learning that uses visual learning.

Auditory Analogies interspersed in lectures.

Learners work in pairs

Learners work in small groups

Also in lectures in response to questions

Audio podcasts made to support topics

Your independent learning that uses auditory learning.

Kinaesthetic Physical activities –

Having to move around in the seminar time

Quizzes that require use of mobile phones.

Using phones/laptops to look up definitions

Completing seminar tasks

Your independent learning uses Kinaesthetic learning.

Tactile Quizzes,

completing questions on seminar sheets,

writing things in response to questions in lectures

use of cards to yes/no responses

Raising hands in response to questions

Your independent learning that uses tactile learning.

Adaptability Don’t allow your learning style to control you.

Awareness of how you most successfully learn is useful but by learning to adapt your learning style, you will enhance your ability to learn.

Not every session will suit your individual learning style and in a workplace environment you may find that your learning style will need to adapt and change to suit the environment. Developing techniques to adapt your learning style(s) will be useful for your employability.

Assignment ONE details:

- Part 1: Plan for your semiotic analysis (submitted via Turnitin).

- Part 2: Semiotic analysis essay

- Please find the details for both of these below.

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Plan for your Semiotic Analysis - Plan submitted via Turnitin for Assignment 1 below - Details of what you might focus on for the semiotic analysis. - (if you don’t yet have a topic to focus on, please come and talk to me and think about what

you are interested in researching e.g. gender, race, class, music, gaming etc.) - Your plan should begin with a statement, if possible, on what you are interested in

analysing. The plan can be in bullet form. The more specific you are able to be, the better.

Examples of the topics and structure for the plan. Approximately 200 words

1. State the topic you are interested in focusing on:- (Approx.. 20-30 words)

- I am interested in conducting a semiotic analysis of the front cover of Vogue August 2019 edited by Megan Markle); - I am interested in conducting a semiotic analysis of trailer for World of Warcraft. - I am interested in conducting a semiotic analysis of Lady Gaga’s music video Telephone. - I am interested in conducting a semiotic analysis of Childish Gambino, This is America - I am interested in conducting a semiotic analysis of the trailer for Moana -I am interested in conducting a semiotic analysis of Men’s Health Magazine/Cosmopolitan Magazine.

2. Expand on this with 2-3 sentences. You could note why you are interested in analysing this particular topic. (see the example below):- (Approx. 60 words)

- the front cover of Vogue will highlight issues or race and representation in relation to these images. I will explore why the issue uses this particular format with faces in boxes and what this might represent. I will also explore how the images may challenge previous editions of Vogue.

3. Note 2 academic sources that you will use in defining semiotic analysis. (Approx. 60 words)

- E.g. In defining the term semiotics I will draw on (name the academic source in the Harvard referencing style – surname and date).

- You also need to give one direct quote in relation to semiotics. For example: I will also draw on (surname, date and page number of the reference) who defines semiotics as ‘direct quote.’ You then need to comment on this quote in your own words (this is good practice to establish for essays). However, be careful not to self-plagiarise.

4. Note 2 other sources that could be useful in relation to the topic you are interested in analysing. (Approx. 60 words)

- For example, Surname (date of reference) looks at race and representation in relation to…

- Surname (date of reference) also analyses race and representation in relation to the media generally and I will apply this to Vogue.

- If you use direct quotes, remember that you should not use identical quotes in your essay.

5. Reference list (Not included in the word count)

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- You need to give a list of references in the Harvard referencing system (alphabetical order by surname).

- See the library referencing guides (short guide) and see Cite them Right online in the table

Semiotic Analysis: 1,500 words, 40% - Conduct a semiotic analysis in relation to a topic of your choice (based on the topics

studied to date). - For topics, please see the weekly schedule for full the range of topics (do email

b.mitra@worc.ac.uk if you are unsure about the topic).

For the semiotic analysis you will be expected to draw on relevant theory, and to use appropriate semiotic terminology.

1. Defining Semiotics - The most important issue for the semiotic analysis will be the image that you choose to

analyse. Choose something that will give you a lot to write about. - You will need to have a clear introduction and a conclusion. - The introduction should introduce and define what is semiotic analysis drawing on

academic sources. Try to highlight some of the key terms you will use in relation to the semiotic analysis.

- It should also include what image or images you chose to analyse.

2. Doing the analysis - It will also be useful to highlight the topic you are focusing on e.g. if you have chosen an

image relating to gender, for example, you might want to highlight ideology relating to gender in your analysis.

- You need to think about the image from different viewpoints – what is left out of the image? What is implied in the image?

- What are the ideologies/myths that the images contribute to? Are there any academic sources that back up your idea(s) about this?

3. What should be in the conclusion - The conclusion should summarise your main points (there are usually no new ideas

discussed in the conclusion).

28/10/2019 by 3pm via online submission at Turnitin If you submit after the 3pm deadline and within 7 days you will be penalised with D-, after 7 days it will be a non-submission

Feedback on formal Formative

Assessment

This will be given to you in time for you to make use of any feedback for your semiotic essay.

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4. Writing the essay - Think about how you write and try to have a coherent structure. - Try to use the third person where possible (e.g. it is argued that…, it is suggested that).

5. Number of references to include - Make sure you provide a list of references at the end in the Harvard system (see the

library guides about Harvard Referencing https://library.worc.ac.uk/guides/study-skills/referencing).

- You will need to include at least 4 academic sources. These can be textbooks and or academic journal articles. Academic sources do not include magazines such as Times Magazine or newspaper articles (although these may add extra detail to your assignment).

6. Length of assignment - You are permitted to write 10% more than the target number of words, but do not write

more than that as markers will not normally read or take into account anything beyond that additional 10%.

7. Are quotations and references included in the word count - Quotations will be included in the word count unless the assignment instructions say

differently. - This includes referencing details (e.g. author) which will be included (apart from the List

of References/Bibliography at the end which is not included).

Do remember to look at the comments on your assignment (see the guide at the end of this module outline for details on how to do this).

18/11/2019 by 3pm via online submission at Turnitin If you submit after the 3pm deadline and within 7 days you will be penalised with D-, after 7 days it will be a non-submission

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16th December at the latest (20 working day deadline)

Assignment Details

Part 1: Content analysis planning

Part 2: Content analysis - Please see the details below for both these parts of the second assignment.

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1. Define content analysis drawing on two academic sources. (Approx. 50 words)

- Give 1 direct quote in relation to content analysis - E.g. Content analysis is defined by X (date) as…. - Y (date, page no.) asserts that content analysis is…

2. Identify a potential topic for conducting content analysis. Make sure you explain why your topic lends itself to content analysis. (Approx. 50 words)

- For example: I aim to conduct content analysis of Worcester News, exploring the comparison of soft news to hard news stories in the first 5 pages for 1 week. This topic lends itself to content analysis as enables comparisons to be made.

3. Identify two key sources that relate to the topic you are focusing on:- (Approx. 50 words)

- For example: In relation to hard news and soft news, X (date )notes that there tends to be more infotainment in newspapers. Also, Y (date) suggests that regional newspapers have a different audience compared with national newspapers.

5. Reference list (Not included in the word count)

- You need to give a list of references in the Harvard referencing system (alphabetical order by surname).

- See the library referencing guides (short guide) and see Cite them Right online in the

table

Do remember to look at the comments on your assignment (see the guide at the end of this module outline for details on how to do this).

Content analysis essay (2000 words) and blog contribution, 60%.

9th April by 3pm via online submission at Turnitin If you submit after the 3pm deadline and within 7 days you will be penalised with D-, after 7 days it will be a non-submission

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7th April at the latest (20 working day deadline)

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An essay that uses a content analysis to discuss ONE topic from the module (you decide the specific focus of your content analysis) (Blog details are also below):

Sections for the assignment (you can use these subheadings in the actual essay)

1. Define content analysis - (drawing on 2 academic sources; 200 words)

You need to define what a content analysis is and you also need to cite two academic sources in doing this.

Remember to give page number(s) (alongside the surname(s) and date) if you are going to quote directly.

If you paraphrase then remember to still give the reference (if it is quite a specific idea then you still need the page number).

Try not to just list quotes but to introduce and comment on these.

2. Method (your content analysis; 250 words)

You need to explain how you went about choosing the categories you included in the content analysis

What did you include? What did you leave out as you conducted your analysis?

What issues or difficulties did you face in doing the content analysis?

Is there anything you would do differently?

3. Critical evaluation of 4 key texts (relating to the theme of your content analysis; 700 words)

This section requires you to draw on relevant academic literature that relates to your topic.

For example, if you focused on music in the charts, you could draw on some of the academic sources that highlight genres and/or gender in relation to chart music.

Similarly, if you focus on ethos, logos and pathos in relation to advertising, then you might want to find 2 sources that highlight ethos, logos and pathos and 2 sources that highlight advertisements relating to sports.

See the specific sections in the module resources list online and if you still have difficulty finding relevant sources, remember you can contact Alison Taylor, the subject librarian (alison.taylor@worc.ac.uk)

Make sure you evaluate the sources you are engaging with i.e. don’t just list the sources, but appraise them as well.

Make sure you introduce any direct quotes and always comment on them afterwards but do try to put some quotes into your own words rather than always quoting directly.

4. Explore how your content analysis relates to these themes (700 words)

You will need to highlight specific sections from your content analysis table to show how this relates to the key texts above.

You should comment specifically on the numbers that you obtained in relation to these ideas.

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You can draw on specific sections of the content analysis table here (although the complete table should be in the appendix).

Make sure you explain and interpret the content analysis table in relation to the themes – if you are not sure what your content analysis table is telling you then please ask me for advice.

If you have less than 25 responses for an answer you should not use percentages as these will not be significant. Instead you should use the actual number of respondents.

If you did set yourself a question to answer, then the information from your table should help you to address this.

5. Conclusion (150 words)

You can summarise the key points and ideas from the previous sections in your conclusion.

A conclusion should not contain entirely new information but should highlight your key points and findings.

If you did set yourself a question to answer, then this is the place you should address this.

6. List of References Remember to list these in the Harvard System – see the Harvard Referencing guide

7. Appendix – Content analysis table

You need to include the complete content analysis table here.

You will also be required to submit a plan for assignment as described above

Blog Contribution (Two parts) (No word limit) This needs to be done online.

Part 1: Blog to address what transferable skills you have gained from this module (see the end of this module outline for ideas about transferable skills).

Part 2: What have you learned from assignment 1, particularly the feedback and how did this influence your approach to assignment 2.

Have a look at the guide at the end of this module outline for a step by step guide to submitting your blog contribution on Blackboard.

8th May by 3pm via Turnitin (online Submission)

After the 3pm deadline and within 7 days you will be penalised with D-, after 7 days it will be a non-submission

Feedback by 20 working days from this date (5th June 2020)

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What to do if you cannot submit an assignment Please note there are specific guidelines as to what will count in terms of mitigating

circumstances. The details (forms and deadlines) can be found

http://www.worcester.ac.uk/registryservices/679.htm

Reassessment assignment 1: Semiotic Analysis (1,500 words) AND a reflective statement (200-300 words) on how you have engaged with the feedback provided.

Reassessment assignment 2: Content Analysis (2,000 words) AND a reflective statement (200-300 words) on how you have engaged with the feedback provided.

Thursday 9th July by 3pm via Turnitin (online

Submission)

After the 3pm deadline and within 7 days you will be penalised with D-, after 7 days it will be a non-submission

Please see the live timetable Link to Live Timetable https://ext-webapp-01.worc.ac.uk/cgi-

bin/timetabling/web_timetable.pl

Fridays 3.15-6.15 (semester 1) and

Fridays 2.15-3.15 and 4.15-6.15 (semester 2)

Weekly schedule

Topics : Associated Readings

Week 1

27/09/2019

Media and Cultural Studies/ /Writing and Referencing

Neil Worcester Gold Award 3.15pm

Discussion and Introduction

Week 2

04/10/2019

Gender, representation and the Media

Seminar Activity – Analysing media representations of gender including Disney.

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Associated Reading: Richardson, N. & Wearing, S. (2014) Gender in the Media. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, pp.1-9.

Associated Reading: Gillam, K. and Wooden, R. (2008) Post Princess models of Gender, The New Man in Disney/Pixar, Journal of Popular Film and Television, Vol. 36(1), pp. 2-8.

Associated Reading: England, D.E., Descartes, M. & Collier-Meek, M.A. (2011) Gender Role Portrayal and the Disney Princess. Sex Roles. Vol. 64, pp. 555-567

Week 3

11/10/2019

Semiotics Semiotic plan for formal

formative assignment Allie Taylor (tbc)

Semiotics Films (part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzIfNPgxPnc

and part 2

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYqZEOmPZIA)

Associated Reading: Branston, G. & Stafford, R. (2010) The Media Student’s Book. London, Routledge, pp.11-14

Associated Reading: Mun, J.M., Janigo, K.A. & Johnson, K. P. (2012) Tattoo and the Self. Clothing and textiles research journal. Vol. 30, pp.134-148. (

Week 4

18/10/2019

Orientalism/Representations of race and the Media

Associated Reading: Barker, C. and Jane, E. (2016) Cultural Studies. Theory and Practice. London, Sage, pp. 324-325 and p. 416.

Week 5

25/10/2019

YouTube, music video and the new digital cinema

Associated Reading: Vernallis, C. (2013) Unruly Media. YouTube, Music, Video and the new digital Cinema. Oxford, Oxford University Press, pp. 127-135.

Week 6

1/11/2019

Representations: Class and the media (Julie Porter – Careers)

Associated reading: Hodkinson, P. (2011) Media, Culture and Society. London, Sage, pp. 130-131.

Progression week 1: 04/11/2019 to 08/11/2019

Week 7

15/11/2019

Representations: Disabilities and the Media

Associated Reading: Ellis, K. & Goggin, G. (2015) Disability and the Media, London, Palgrave.

Associated Reading: Albertazzi, D. and Cobley, P. (2010) The Media. An Introduction. Oxon, Routledge, pp.495-499.

Week 8

22/11/2019

Simmel and Pop Fashion Associated Reading: Russo, M. T. (2012) Strong Fashion and Weak Identity? A necessary Association In A.M. Gonzalez and L. Bovone (Eds.) Identity through Fashion. London, Berg. (Chapter 11, pp. 186-195).

Week 9

29/11/2019

Marxism and Ideology Associated Reading: Stillo, M. and Gauntlett, (n.d.) Antonio Gramsci, Media/Gender/Identity Resources.[Online] Date Accessed 1st February 2018.

Available at: http://www.theory.org.uk/ctr-gram.htm [Accessed 1st February 2018].

Assoicated Reading: Barker, C. and Jane, E.A. (2016) Cultural Studies, Theory and Practice. London, Sage, pp. 71-77.

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Week 10 06/12/2019

History and Emotion/The Happiness Industry

Associated Reading: Barker, C. and Jane, E. (2016) Cultural Studies. Theory and Practice. London, Sage pp.151-157

Week 11

13/12/2019

Moral Panics

Associated Reading: Longhurst et al. (2017) Introducing Cultural Studies. Harlow, Pearson Education, p.326.

Week 12

20/12/2019

Media Organisations/Media Industry

Associated Reading; Branston, G. and Stafford, R. (2010) The Media Student’s Book. London, Routledge, pp. 204-209.

Feedback on Assignment 1

Christmas and Revision/Assessment weeks: 23/12/2019 to 17/01/2020

Week 13

24/01/2020

News Values

News Values exercise Associated Reading: Branston, G. and Stafford, R. (2010)

The Media Student’s Book. London, Routledge, pp. 342-349 (news values).

Week 14

31/01/2020

Content Analysis Thematic Analysis and

textual methods Media and Memory.

Content analysis exercise Associated Reading: Stokes, J. (2013) How to do Media

and Cultural Studies. London, Sage, pp. 140-143. Associated Reading: Garde-Hansen, J. (2011) Media and

Memory, Edinburgh, Edinburgh University Press, pp. 80-86.

Week 15

07/02/2020

Surveillance and Baudrillard/Reality television

Workshop on Content analysis Social media analysis. Associated Reading: Barker, C. and Jane, E.A. (2016)

Cultural Studies, Theory and Practice. London, Sage, pp. 243-4.

Week 16

14/02/2020

Advertising, Emergence & Expansion/ Ethos, Logos, Pathos

Persuasive Communication Exercise. Associated Reading: Wharton, C. (2013) Advertising and

Culture In C. Wharton (Ed.) Advertising as Culture. Pp. 3-5 and pp.8-11.

Week 17

21/02/2020

Stars and Celebrities Associated Reading: Longhurst, B., Smith, G., Bagnall, G., Crawford, G., Ogborn, M., Baldwin, E. & McCracken, S. (2008) Introducing Cultural Studies. Harlow, Pearson Education, pp. 52-54.

Week 18

28/03/2020

Media Audiences Associated Reading: Lacey, N. (2002) Media Institutions and Audiences: Key Concepts in Media Studies. Basingstoke, Palgrave.

Associated Reading: Branston, G. and Stafford, R. (2010) The Media Student’s Book. London, Routledge, pp. 382-398

Progression Week 2 02/03/2020 to 06/03/2020

Week 19

13/03/2020

Applying Goffman to social Media

Associated Reading: Extract from Richey, M, Ravishankar, M.N. and Coupland, C. (2016) Exploring situationally inappropriate social media posts. An impression management perspective. Information Technology and People. Vol. 29(3), pp. 597-617.

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Week 20

20/03/2020

The Public Sphere and the Media

Associated Reading: Fuchs, C. (2017) Social Media: A Critical Introduction. London, Sage, p.248.

Associated Reading: Barker, C. and Jane, E. (2016) Cultural Studies. Theory and Practice. London, Sage, pp.471-2.

Week 21

27/03/2020

Media in Non-Western Societies

Associated Reading: Mitra, B, (2005) The Influence of Television Commercials on Clothing in India, Worcester Papers in English and Cultural Studies. October, (3), pp. 1-8 http://eprints.worc.ac.uk/313/1/Barbara_Mitra_India_TV_%26_Clothing.pdf

Week 22

03/04/2020

Revisiting Content analysis

New Media and Cyber Theorists

Reflective analysis in relation to new media Associated Reading: Barker, C. & Jane, E.A. (2016)

Cultural Studies, Theory and Practice. London, Sage, pp. 488-489, 502,509.

Associated Reading: Green, L. (2010) The Internet. An Introduction to New Media. Oxford, Berg, pp. 3-14.

Easter 06/04/2020 to 17/04/2020

Week 23

24/04/2020

Globalisation Associated Reading: Hopper, P. (2007) Understanding Cultural Globalisation. Cambridge, Polity. pp.88-93, 104-106.

Assignment workshops

Week 24

01/05/2020

Revisiting Content Analysis

Technologies - not enough for a full topic

Questions regarding technologies of media based around McLuhan.

Associated Reading: Danesi, M. & Berger, A. A. (2009) Dictionary of Media and Communications. Oxon, Routledge, p.190 and p.194.

Assignment workshops

Assignment 2 due: 8th May 2020 by 3pm

http://resourcelists.worc.ac.uk Type in MECS1000 and the resource list for 2019-2020 should be seen. Click on MECS1000 to see the entire list. Click on Tale of Contents tab to see topics available. Click on the Filter tab to see the Ebooks and digital resources in the entire list. Link to Turnitin guide https://uwtel.co.uk/tel-tools/turnitin/

Argument, Research, Writing, Comprehension

Grade A+/A/A- B+/B/B- C+/C/C- D+/D/D- E Failing Work

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Argument Excellently argued. Able to analyse and synthesise arguments to reach their own independent conclusion.

Fairly well argued. Able to engage in some critical analysis and interpretation of arguments, but does not conduct their own independent analysis

Generally fairly well argued. Able to describe arguments and debates but describes and reports rather than conducting own critical analysis

Poorly argued. Able to describe some arguments and debates but there are gaps in the knowledge and understanding of the topic area

There is no clear, coherent argument formed. The debates and arguments are not clearly described or analysed

Research There is evidence of excellent research. The arguments are supported by a wide range of appropriate sources which are excellently referenced and acknowledged in a bibliography

There is evidence of some good research. The arguments are generally supported by an appropriate range of sources which tend to be well referenced and mostly acknowledged in a bibliography

There is evidence of some research. The arguments are sometimes supported

by appropriate sources which are sometimes referenced correctly, although there are some mistakes in the bibliography

There is an acceptable level of research at this level. There is some acknowledgement of sources but often not referenced correctly and often not acknowledged in the bibliography

Little evidence of research having been conducted. There are either inappropriate sources used or little acknowledgement of sources. Hence the arguments are not supported by appropriate referencing and there is an inadequate bibliography

Writing Excellent clarity of expression, grammar and spelling. Writes in a fluent and coherent style

Good clarity of expression. Grammar and spelling are generally clear

Satisfactory expression. Grammar and spelling are usually clear although there are some errors.

Mostly acceptable expression. Some inaccuracies in grammatical structures and or spelling tend to detract from the assignment

Very poor clarity of expression. The assignment lacks a clear coherent structure and suffers from numerous grammatical and/or spelling errors

Comprehension Clearly comprehends the assignment and gives original or creative response to task set

Comprehends the assignment and gives a critical response to task but does not involve their own interpretation

Comprehends the assignment fairly well and gives an adequate response, but largely descriptive

Some comprehension of the assignment. There are some gaps in the response, but it is adequate

Does not comprehend what was required by the assignment and the response is inadequate. They do not address the task set.

(You can add to these if you wish)

Key transferable skills

Lectures Seminars Assessed work

Communication Through answering questions, discussing ideas with someone next to you

Communication in group work and also in feeding back to the whole group

Through written work, essays and also blog contributions

Teamwork This is developed through group work activities/reading and questions in the seminars

Through any study groups that have been established on this module.

Leadership Speaking up on behalf of others

Directing the group towards answering

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Being a STAR (course representative)

questions/thinking about key issues and ideas

Some students have set up study groups – have you thought about doing this with a few friends who are on MCS?

Initiative Preparing before lectures by doing relevant reading on topics

Answering questions/challenging module leader

Telling the module leader if things on Blackboard do not work, if readings are too difficult or easy.

Asking appropriate questions in seminar

Finding the resources for your assignments and going beyond the reading list.

Creative thinking As there are no definite answers, you have to think for yourself and come up with your own opinions

As there are no definite answers, you have to think for yourself and come up with your own opinions

Self-Awareness Regarding the ability to contribute in seminars

Regarding your knowledge and abilities as evidenced in the assignments.

Commitment/motivation

Attending lectures and seminars shows commitment

Attending seminars and contributing, doing the prepared work that has been set shows commitment

Getting assignments in on time and showing that you have conducted relevant research/reading shows motivation and commitment

Interpersonal Skills

Time management and organisational skills regarding the lectures/getting there on time and being organised enough to have prepared for the lecture

Developed through the group work and mixing of groups in seminars

Time management skills re meeting deadlines and being punctual

Computer skills Accessing materials that are available on Blackboard

Accessing Ebooks and journal articles

Word/internet searches/library searches (research skills)

Literacy Being able to articulate your ideas clearly

Grammar and punctuation

Writing to a set brief

Composing a persuasive argument

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Step 1: Blog contribution

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Step 2: Blog Contribution

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Step 3: Blog Contribution

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This will automatically upload according the timing for releasing your assignment and grade.