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Module Aims
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-To develop core foundational skills of reading and interpreting across a wide range of media, including film, TV, Photography as well as Print and 'new' media.
-Using broad categorising/interpreting tools such as Genre, Narrative, Linguistic, Representation (Ideology) alongside formal/stylistic tools of media conventions, basic semiotics, image analysis etc. to develop a framework for reading and interpreting mass media artifacts.
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Learning Outcomes
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Students will acquire the ability and skill to:
-develop close reading skills through an extensive re-viewing of all the major categories of mass media texts to unpack the range of possible meanings/interpretations embedded therein
-read and interpret photographs, moving images as well as print media within the context of their generic conventions and through using a range of critical tools drawn from the media/communications discipline
-read and interpret other critics interpretation/analysis of a given text and re-apply it to their own initial observation
-discuss and debate interpretations and analysis using an appropriate 'objective' interpretative register
-write academic textual analysis of film/TV programmes/print media which explore and articulate this process of meaning creation
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
0
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Laboratories |
0
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
51
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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Week 1
Learning from Art: The importance of framing, form and content, figure and ground, composition, spatial organisation, colour and light in painting.
Week 2
Photography: An introduction to the history of photography and the distinction between the denotation and connotation of the photographic image. Photography as iconic sign.
Week 3
Photojournalism: The development of photojournalism from its inception via the picture story and pictorial press, candid camera techniques and the photographic agency.
Lecture 4
The Digital Image: Starting with the difference between the analogue and digital image, this lecture will then examine the range and significance of digitisation in multimedia representations.
Week 5
Reading the News: A critical analysis of the construction of news in broadcast, print and electronic media.
Week 6
Music Video: Examining relations between text and institution, representation, realism debates, sociological and musicological construction of images, issues of post-modernism and music television.
Week 7
Reading Week [hand in of assignment 1]
Week 8
Advertising and Semiotics: Deconstructing and interpreting meaning. Focusing on issues of ideology, representation, realism and pleasure.
Week 9
Documentary Realism: Reading Reality TV and other forms of Documentary.
Week 10
Reading audio visual media: Developing a basic grammar of how to do a textual analysis.
Week 11
Deconstructing Film: How to apply debates around Representation, Ideology and Realism to reading film.
Week 12
New Media: Applying conventional rules of reading the media to new digital media
Tutors: Week 1-4 Des McGuinness
Week 5-6 Jim Rodgers
Week 8-12 Pat Brereton.
Assessments: [Tutors will clarify assignment details in lectures and seminars]
1 50% In groups of 3 - pick 3 Images and analyse each image across the three categories of: a) content, b) semiotic analysis c) ideological. 2000 words. To be submitted on the Thurs 12oc on week 7. 24th March
2 50% Produce an individual reading of an audio visual text of your choice following the rules laid out. 1200-1500 words. To be submitted in week 13 [time to be clarified]
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| Assessment | | Continuous Assessment | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% |
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Indicative Reading List
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Assessment:
Alvarado, M. & Thompson, J. (eds) (1990) The Media Reader. B.F.I.
Barthes, R. Mythologies and Camera Lucida
Bell, A. & Joyce, M. & Rivers, D. (1999) Advanced Level Media. Hodder and Stoughton.
Berger, J. () Ways of Seeing
Branston, G. & Stafford, R. (1997) The Media Student's Book. Routledge
Brereton, P. (2001) The Continuum Guide to Media Education. Continuum.
Briggs, A. & Cobley, P. (eds) (1998) The Media: An Introduction. Longman.
Buckland, W. (1998) Teach Yourself Film Studies. Hodder and Stoughton (not in L)
Burton, G. (1990) More than Meets the Eye: An Introduction to Media Studies. Edward Arnold
Cobley, P. (ed) (1996) The Communication Theory Reader. Routledge
Cook, P (ed) (1999 ed) The Cinema Book. B.F.I.
Corner, J & Harvey, S. (eds) (1996) Television Times: A Reader. Arnold.
Curran, J & Seaton, J. (1997 ed) Power without Responsibility. Routledge
Dimbley, R. & Burton, G. (1998) More than Words: An Introduction to Communications Studies. Routledge
Fiske, J. & Hartley, J. (1978) Reading Television. Routledge
Fiske, J. (1987) Television Culture. Routledge
Fiske, J. (1994 ed) Introduction to Communications Studies. Routledge
Geraghty, C . & Lusted, D. (eds) (1998) The Television Studies Book. Arnold
Goodwin, A & Whannel, G (eds) (1990) Understanding Television. Routledge
Hall, Stuart (ed) (1997) Representations Open University
Hart, A. (1991) Understanding the Media: A Practical Guide. Routledge
Hartley , J (1982) Understanding News. Routledge
Mirzoeff, N. (ed) (1998) The Visual Culture Reader. Routledge
O'Sullivan, T. & Jewkes, Y. (eds) (1997) The Media Studies Reader (Edward) Arnold.
O'Sullivan, T. et al. (1998) Studying the Media. Arnold
Postman, N. (1987) Amusing Ourselves to Death. Metheun
Price, S (1993) Media Studies. Pitman
Schlesinger, P. (1992) Putting Reality Together Routledge
Selby, K. & Cowdery, R. (1995) How to Study Television. MacMillan
Sheehan, Helena (1987) Irish Television Drama: a society and its stories. RTE.
Stewart, Colin et al. (2001) Media and Meaning: An Introduction. BFI
Turner, G. (1999 ed) Film as Social Practice. Routledge
Williams, R. (1983) Keywards: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society Fontana.
www.comms.dcu.ie/sheehanh/news/readingmedia
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Programme or List of Programmes
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| BSSA | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
| BSSAO | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
| CS | BA in Communication Studies |
| ECSA | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
| ECSAO | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
| HMSA | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
| HMSAO | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
| JR | BA in Journalism |
| MMA | BSc in Multimedia |
| SHSA | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
| SHSAO | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
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