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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title History & Structure of the Media
Module Code CM137X
School School of Communications
Module TeachersRoderick Flynn
NFQ level 6 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Coursework Only
Description

To offer students an account of the historical development of the mass media both internationally and nationally. Moreover the module seeks identify and discuss the impact of those historically contingent sets of social, political and economic circumstances/forces on the form, function and organisation of the mass media.

Learning Outcomes

1. identify the key historical moments and events in the development of mass media institutions in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
2. distinguish between public service broadcasting and commercial broadcasting systems in terms of their funding mechanisms, their regulation and their programme output.
3. Identify how changing social, political and cultural contexts shape the working definition of public service at particular historical moments.
4. analyse the impact on individual mass media texts (films, television series etc.) of the fact that they have been produced by media conglomerates which simultaneously operate across national borders and across a range of different media industries.



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Total Workload: 0

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Irish Print Media History
Establishment of the early Irish press in 17th and 18th centuries, development politically-motivated (primarily nationalist press) in the 19th century, emergence of mature newspaper market in 20th century.

British Broadcasting History
Establishment of BBC and related development of concept of Public Service Broadcasting from the 1920s, emergence of commercial broadcasting in the 1950s, effect of new distribution technologies from the 1970s through to the 1990s and an examination of the related changes in market/regulatory environments.

RTE History
Establishment of state-owned broadcasting monopoly in the early 1920s, development of funding models for early broadcasting, introduction of broadcast censorship during WWII and "The Troubles". Emergence of commercial competition (pirate and legal) in the 1970s and 1980s. Implications of globalisation of broadcasting for local content.

US Broadcasting History
Emergence of US control over domestic broadcasting industry, identification of rationale underlying adoption of largely commercial organisation of broadcasting industry, beginning of television from 1940s, heyday of the TV networks (1950-1970s), arrival of cable competition, increasing integration of networks into larger media conglomerates.

Hollywood
Description of early competition and tendencies towards monopoly in US film industry (Patent Wars and MPPC), emergence and decline of studio system, integration of studios into corporate holding companies, increasing convergence of film and television production at an ownership level, emergence of cross-/multi-media corporate giants in 1980s and 1990s.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Extended Essay / Dissertation2,500 Word Essay90%n/a
Loop Quiz4 Loops quizzes10%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
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