Media Studies at NEWI Media Studies at NEWI
Media Studies involves the study of the various products of the media industries – film, television, radio and journalism – and the ways in which they have developed this century. It considers the ways in which the media presents pictures of the world, and so raises issues such as realism, bias, and media influence. Level 2 and 3 modules attempt to provide overviews of the development of film and television from an international perspective. Whilst Media Studies does not involve production of film and television, it does aim to develop your skills as a media critic and viewer, and more aware of the variety and impact of the media in modern society
Media Studies can be taken as a Joint or Minor Honours degree route, in one of the following degree combinations.
Joint students take up to 18 modules, 6 at each level; Minor students take up to 12 modules, 4 at each level. Modules at Levels 1 and 2 are taught on a semester basis, that is, studied for half the academic year; Level 3 modules are taught for the whole academic year. In Level 3 all students write a Dissertation (worth 2 double-modules) in an area of their choice. Finally, in Levels 1 and 2, students have the option of taking "electives", that is, modules in subjects outside of their principal subject(s).
Level 1 Modules
Semester 1
Introduction to the Study of the Media: an introduction to some of the key concepts and approaches involved in study of the Media, including Realism and Representation, Genre and approaches to narrative in the media.
Historical Perspectives on Media Development: considers various approaches to the social and historical development of film, television and the press in Europe since 1900. This includes an examination of propaganda and the role of media in wartime.
Introduction to the Language of Film: introduces the basic elements of "film language" and some of the ways in which film can be read. Through the analysis of film extracts you will learn to develop your skills as a reader of film, and understand the ways in which film uses narrative devices in order to present "pictures of the world".
Semester 2
Introduction to the study of Television: looks at the various forms of television in recent years, and ways in which television output is governed by external factors and contexts. Issues of representation and of the influence of television are also considered.
Representing the ‘Other’: this module looks at the various forms of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror in film and television, and ways in which they have developed over the past 50 years or so. The module also explores some of the reasons why these genres have been so pervasive in the media.
International Mass Media Perspectives: explores the recent development of the media and the media industries from an international perspective, including the growth of global markets for media products and the impact of new technologies such as satellite broadcasting within the "global village".
Level 2
Semester 1
Media, Culture and Society: 1939-1995: this module traces the development of film and television in Britain from 1939 to the present, and looks at some of the ways in which British media has presented Britain and Britishness in this period.
Hollywood, 1939-1959: traces the development of Hollywood film in relation to changes in American society and culture in this period. Topics for consideration include the studio system, genre pictures (‘B’ movies, film noir, etc) and issues of bias and representation.
European Cinema: looks at the development of European cinema from 1919 to 1949, including Soviet cinema, and the careers of directors such as Jean Cocteau and Jean Renoir.
Semester 2
Image and Reality: reviews the period from 1939 to the present in terms of the economic, social and political contexts which have informed the development of British film and other media. Particular attention is given to issues of propaganda and the role of the media in wartime.
Hollywood, 1959-1995: continues the study of Hollywood cinema up to the present day, including a look at some of the key figures (Siegal, Kubrick, Polanski and Spielberg) who have contributed to this development.
European Cinema, 1949 to the present: continues the survey of European cinema, including the contribution made by directors such as Godard, Truffaut, Herzog and Wim Wenders. The module will also consider the impact of cultural and national contexts on European cinema within this period.
Level 3 (All double modules)
Women and the Media: an exploration of the ways in which cinema has dealt with issues of gender and sexuality, and also involves an assessment of the contribution of women directors and producers to British, European and American film. This double-module introduces some of the more recent theoretical developments in Media Studies, including psychoanalysis
Pacific Rim Cinema: an examination of the development of cinema in Japan, Australia and China in recent years. These countries have all had active and innovative cinema industries, and this double-module attempts to survey some of the key films and talents within the last twenty years.
Dissertation: all students, at Level 3, write an 8,000-word Dissertation, which involves close study of a writer or area of their own choice. Students work on this throughout the year, and submit the finished piece in April of their final year.
For further details contact Dr Jonathan Raynor (01978-293273), School of Education and Humanities, North East Wales Institute, Plas Coch, Mold Road, Wrexham, LL11 2AW. Alternatively, see http://www.newi.ac.uk/rdover/courses.htm"
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