Unit information: Reading the Media in 2010/11

Unit name	Reading the Media
Unit code	MODL23020
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Ms. Domenici
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Modern Languages
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

With this language-based study of the media, students will acquire the skills and methodology to explore and make sense of the production of reporting and comment on current affairs, culture and the media. The course will be structured around core lectures and language specific seminars. The unit aims to familiarise students with a wide range of different varieties of contemporary language relating to specific areas of public life. Through the analysis of current newspaper articles, video clips and articles on the internet, the unit will increase students’ comprehension of technical, specialised and contemporary vocabulary as well as of complex grammatical structures and abstruse styles of writing. The intention is to develop their comprehension, translation and précis-writing skills in specialised varieties of language as well as to provide the necessary social and political background required for a proper understanding of articles relating to the production of reporting and comment on current affairs, culture and the media. Such background knowledge will not be examined other than through language exercises.

Aims:

• To introduce students to a significant body of knowledge of a complexity appropriate to second year level. The content matter will normally include one or more of the following: literature; social, cultural or political history; linguistics; cultural studies; film, television or other media.

• To facilitate students’ engagement with a body of literature, including secondary literature, texts, including in non-print media, primary sources and ideas as a basis for their own analysis and development. Normally many or most of these sources will be in a language other than English and will enhance the development of their linguistic skills.

• To develop further skills of synthesis, analysis and independent research, building on the skills acquired in units at level C.

• Some options may prepare students for the experience of the Year Abroad.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will:

• be knowledgeable about a significant cultural, historical or linguistic subject related to the language they are studying;

• be skilled in the selection and synthesis of relevant material;

• be able to evaluate and analyse relevant material from a significant body of source materials, usually in a foreign language, at a high level;

• be able to respond to questions or problems by presenting their independent judgements in an appropriate style and at an high level of complexity;

• be able to transfer these skills to other working environments, including study at a foreign university and on work placements during the year abroad.

Teaching Information

Normally one lecture hour and one seminar hour per week across one teaching block (22 contact hours), often with student presentations. In units with a smaller number of students the lecture hour may be replaced by a second seminar or a workshop. Units involving film may require students to view films outside the timetabled contact hours.

Assessment Information

One of the following:

a) A written assignment of 2000 words and a two hour exam (50% each)

b) A written assignment of 2000 words (25%) and a three hour exam (75%)

c) Two written assignments of 2000 words (50% each)

d) One written assignment of 4000 words

e) One oral presentation (25%) and one written assignment of 2500 words (75%)

Reading and References

Relevant authentic language material drawn form current affairs reporting in the press and digital media.

Branston, G., Stafford, R., (eds) The Media Student’s Book, 5th edition, Routledge, 2010

Creeber, G., Martin, R., (eds), Digital Cultures, Understanding New Media, McGraw-Hill Open University Press, 2009.