MP6037 - Sport, Media and Society

You will learn through lectures, seminars and independent learning. Lectures will be used to map out the main theories and concepts in the study of sport and mass media. They will introduce you to key concepts, debates and issues concerning the relationship between the media, sport and society. The lectures will also introduce you to the critical analysis of the production and consumption of media sport texts.
The seminars will allow students you to explore in greater detail the themes, issues and concepts arising from lectures and associated reading. This will be done through verbal discussions, debates, media analysis work and informal presentations, thereby deepening your understanding of key topic areas. Please note: seminars are student-led and their success or failure depends on your active participation.

You will be supported in a variety of manners: the module tutor is available to discuss issues both during and outside scheduled teaching. Tutors can discuss issues during pre-determined Office Hours each week, and also via email. Additionally, information, teaching materials and other support is available through the Electronic Learning Portal system. Students will be directed to a range of relevant texts, both books and journals.

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:
• Develop a deep knowledge of the relationship between sport and the mass media in both contemporary and historical contexts. (LO1)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• To examine and analyse a variety of sport media texts and the manner in which they inform, construct and represent wider social processes and political debates. (LO2)
• To consider and apply a variety of sociological and cultural theories to the understanding of the representation of a variety of social factors found in the mass media’s coverage of sport.(LO3)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Work both individually and in a group environment to demonstrate a significant understanding of the impact of sport media on wider culture and society. (LO4)
• Select appropriate methodologies for the critical analysis of sport media texts. (LO5)

Feedback and assessment is given during all seminars as part of the group discussion of tasks.
The module is assessed via: a 3,000-essay applying a range of relevant media and cultural theories to your understanding of the relationship between sport, media and society while also examining the roles of sports and media in changing society.: 100% (LO 1,2,3,4,5)

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‘Sport, Media and Society’ considers the ever-fluid relationship between the sporting world and the mass media. Using that relationship as a case study, you will learn about related social and cultural institutions such as advertising. You will also consider how the sports media acts as an agent of socialisation and a source of social and cultural power, highlighting the representation of gender, sexuality, class and regional and national identities. ‘Sport, Media and Society’ gives a valuable theoretical insight into a very popular media area and will be of huge benefit to students wishing to develop a career path in sports journallism. Although the module uses sport as a focal point, the insights derived from analyzing sport are more broadly applicable to other cultural sectors. Thus, the module will develop your skills no matter what area of media and communications you enter after graduation.