Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Analysing Media Content
Module Code	CM135
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Des McGuinness Semester 2: Des McGuinness Autumn: Des McGuinness
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

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.

Learning Outcomes

1. Critically read a wide range of media texts
2. Understand the relationship between media texts and their historical, political and cultural contexts
3. Develop the grammar and language of media analysis to interpret a range of media
4. Apply a study of the signs and meanings of still and moving images
5. Complete a close textual analysis of a range of media texts

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	22	Weekly class contact
Seminars	11	Weekly presentations and discussion
Group work	35	Group assignment - visual image analysis
Assignment	35	Individulal assignment - textual analysis of film
On-line learning	40	Use of course-related material on Moodle
Directed learning	30	Curated visits to art galleries and exhibitions
Library	30	Accessing media studies and film journals
Independent learning	47	General research and writing
Total Workload: 250

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

None

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Group assignment	Analyse and interpret still images, using semiotics and other tools of analysis.	50%	n/a
Group assignment	Textually analyse a reading of a sequence of a film.	50%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

P. Brereton: 2001, Continuum Guide to Media Education, Continuum,
G. Branston and R. Stafford: 2006, The Media Studies Guide, Routledge,
P. Long and T. Wall: 2009, Media Studies:, Pearson,
J. Nelmes (ed): 2007, Introduction to Film Studies, 3rd ed, Routledge Press,
J. Hill and P. C. Gibson: 1998, The Oxford Guide to Film Studies, Oxford Press,

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSSA

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

BSSAO

Study Abroad (DCU Business School)

CCS

BA in Contemporary Culture and Society

BA in Communication Studies

ECSA