MP4026 - Analysing Media and Film

This module is taught by weekly lecture of two hours and weekly seminar groups of one hour. The lectures (two hours) will provide students with key terms and concepts with which to analyse media texts, and will be illustrated by relevant clips and examples. Seminars (of one hour) will be based around student discussion, and the application of the concepts discussed in the associated lecture to examples. Students will therefore be expected to prepare for lectures and seminars by undertaking reading and viewing tasks that will be indicated in the module guide and in supplementary material posted on the e-Learning Portal. Students will be encouraged to develop their analytical and communication skills by taking active part in group discussions, and the group presentation assignment will be key in enabling students to develop these in a supportive environment.

Classes will involve group discussions with the tutor and fellow students, providing a constructive environment for the enhancement of knowledge and understanding of the subject, preparation for the assessment tasks, and the development of communication skills. Class material (such as PowerPoint slides, links to clips) will be accessible via the eLearning portal, alongside supplementary learning material (such as weblinks and suggestions for further viewing/reading). There will be a list of key and further reading available as an electronic reading list, giving direct access to sources. The module will incorporate assessment preparation advice, with guidance on how to approach the assessment tasks. The module tutor will offer office hours for academic support. Students will receive feedback on both assignments, with feedback on the presentation assignment then benefitting student work on the essay assignment. Students will also be offered the opportunity to receive further verbal feedback following the essay assignment, so that they can follow up any concerns they have regarding their critical development and future learning.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Awareness of relations between media texts, media industries, and media technologies

• Identifying and explaining the relationships between media texts and relevant critical and cultural contexts



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

• Structure effective/persuasive arguments

• Critical analysis of the meanings produced by different textual elements, using appropriate terminology.



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

• Develop communication and teamwork skills through group seminar preparation, discussion, and group presentations.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT:

To prepare you successfully to undertake the summative assessment(s) on this module, formative assessments will be set by the module team. These may take the form of in-class tasks or projects, developmental activities undertaken between classes, or learning exercises/activities set over a longer period. Feedback (written and/or oral) will be provided to help you learn from, reflect on, and develop in light of these formative assessments.



SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
• Group presentation of approximately ten minutes focused on one of the analytical topics or terms introduced on the module.

• A 2000 word essay


The essay will require you to apply analytical terms and concepts to a chosen media text, with consideration of its place within institutional, technological, aesthetic or cultural contexts.



Students will receive formative feedback from their peers and the module tutor during the seminars throughout the course, allowing them to apprehend how their analytical and critical skills are developing. Students will receive a detailed commentary and a summative mark for their presentation and essay in accordance with the assessment criteria (supplied on the eLP). Under normal circumstances, students will receive written feedback for both assignments within 20 working days. The feedback will normally be supplied electronically as part of the ESAF process. This feedback will provide a detailed account of students’ skills, critical engagement and communicative ability, as well as supporting future learning by indicating areas for development. Students can also request additional verbal feedback on their submissions by arranging a meeting with the module tutor.

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This module will introduce students to analysing media texts critically, in order to provide them with an understanding of some of the key ways in which media texts are constructed and how they communicate information and express ideas. Through learning about a variety of critical approaches to media analysis, students will develop analytical techniques that will deepen their critical skills and understanding of their own creative practice.