Module: Introduction to Media Studies

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Introduction to Media Studies
Module Code	CM163
School	School of Communications
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Eileen Culloty Semester 2: Eileen Culloty Autumn: Eileen Culloty
Module Teachers	Eileen Culloty
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

Through an introduction to media literacy, this module provides foundational knowledge and skills to underpin the Media Studies programme. By examining what it means to be media literate, students will gain essential knowledge about key aspects of media (effects, technologies, industries, audiences, content, and policy). In the process, students will be introduced to major concepts and frameworks for analysing and researching media while cultivating core analytical skills for academic study. In addition, students will develop their communication skills with an emphasis on translating what they have learned for audiences beyond the university.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate a high-level of knowledge about media and media literacy.
2. Apply analytical concepts and frameworks to their own media consumption.
3. Evaluate contemporary media issues in terms of key media literacy considerations.
4. Create accessible communication guides to explain media literacy.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	18	Lecture time
Seminars	8	Seminar time
Assignment Completion	44	Assignment work (time spent preparing and delivering assignments)
Independent Study	180	Independent study includes reading and reviewing the lecture slides, lectures notes, and assigned reading until they are understood.
Total Workload: 250

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

Lecture 1
Media Literacy

Lecture 2
Media Effects

Lecture 3
Media Effects Research

Lecture 4
Media Technologies

Lecture 5
Media Industries

Lecture 6
Media Audiences

Lecture 7
Media Content

Lecture 8
Guest Lecture

Lecture 9
Communicating Media Literacy

Prescribed textbook
Potter, J. (2021). Media Literacy. London: Sage.

Recommended reading
• Media Effects Research: Sparks, G. (2015). ‘Chapter 3: A Brief history of media effects research’, Boston: Cengage, pp.44-61. [PDF on Loop] • Media Effects Research: O'Neill, B. (2011), "Media Effects in Context". In V. Nightingale (Ed), The Handbook of Media Audiences, Oxford: Blackwell. [PDF on Loop] • Media Technologies: Eynon, R. (2020). “The myth of the digital native: Why it persists and the harm it inflicts”, in T. Burns and F. Gottschalk (eds.), Education in the Digital Age: Healthy and Happy Children, Paris: OECD. [Link on Loop] • Media Technologies: Jenkins, H. (2006). Introduction: “Worship at the Altar of Convergence”: A New Paradigm for Understanding Media Change. In Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide (pp. 1–24). NYU Press. [PDF on Loop]

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Short Answer Questions	Weekly quizzes	40%	Other
Practical/skills evaluation	Public communication of media literacy	60%	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

Potter, James: 2016, Media Literacy, 10, Sage, 10. 107181445

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

BAJL	Bachelor of Arts (BAJL)
BAJM	Bachelor of Arts (BAJM)

Archives: