Module: Introduction to Media Literacy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Media Literacy
Module Code	MCO1022 (ITS: CM163)
Faculty	Communications	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

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

Section Breakdown
CRN	10988	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Eileen Culloty	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment 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; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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 topics
Lecture topics will cover media literacy, media effects, media research, media audiences, media technologies, and media industries.

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

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]

Indicative Reading List

Books:

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

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None