Module POL3051 for 2018/9
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POL3051: The Media in Europe
This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.
Module Aims
In this module you will look at the relationship between politics and the media which involves examination of both media policy and political communication. The module allows you to explore the relationship between politics and the media by means of comparative investigation of media systems in European countries. It provides you with a sophisticated understanding of the regulatory structures of different mass media systems, the main policy issues relevant to the contemporary mass media, and the process and effects of political communication. At the end of the module you will be both knowledgeable about, and proficient in the comparative analysis of, mass media systems within Europe with regard both to media regulation and policy and to political communication. It addresses the strengths and weaknesses of different perspectives, models and explanations. The module addresses key issues of media freedom and pluralism, and its role in democratic pluralism. This requires investigation of patterns of regulation, private and public ownership, the tension between the market and public interest goals, and the trend towards commercialisation.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Be cognizant about regulation of the media industry in theory and practice. Identify policy goals and outcomes. 2. Be competent in European regulation and the comparative analysis of national media regulatory frameworks. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Critical analysis of primary and secondary source material. 4. Understanding of theory and models. 5. Ability to construct and present rigorous oral and written argument. |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. Communicate effectively in oral and written work 7. Independent study and group work including the presentation of material for group discussion. 8. Successful use of IT for the retrieval and presentation of information. 9. Advanced oral and written communication skills (via PowerPoint presentations, course work and assessed essays). 10. Use of on-line interactive material and discussion group. |
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation in seminar discussions | weekly | 1,2,4,5,6,9 | Verbal feedback |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | 50 | 2 hours | 1-10 | Written feedback |
| Essay | 50 | 4,000 words | 1-10 | Written feedback |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Examination (2 hours) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
| Essay | Essay (4,000 words) | 1-10 | August/September reassessment period |
