Media, Power and Society will introduce and examine some of the most influential approaches to understanding media power in the
regulation of social order. It will explore and critique key arguments about how the mainstream media serve the interests of the powerful –
including how media can function to reproduce social consensus and cultural/moral norms, represent social conflict, manage ‘crises’ and
‘social deviance’ and marginalise political dissent. We will also consider alternative perspectives that emphasise how media can
challenge dominant power interests. For example, we will examine the media’s relationship to protest and demonstrations, how it can be
used to mobilise campaigns for progressive social change, or to encourage cosmopolitan openness towards the plight of others and the
transformation of the status quo. Finally we will consider some current public debates about media power in the UK including how media
power could or should be regulated in a democratic society

On successful completion of the module a student will be able to:
 Knowledge and understanding of key academic debates surrounding questions of media power and its relationships with social
order, social issues and hierarchies;
 Recognise the public and institutional conditions within which media production, consumption and reception take place;
 Be aware of different methods of studying the relationship of mass media with society;
 Ability to evaluate empirical media research and theoretical work in this field;
 Ability to analyse and critique public debates and media representations concerning media power

This module is taught through a combination of 2 hour lectures and 50 minute seminars

Academic skills: independently researching and writing short and longer term assessments of varying types and lengths; preparation for
participation in seminar discussions around reading and lecture materials.
Subject-specific and employability skills: This module provides a wider overview of academic theories around media, power and society
and an understanding of how these ideas shape academic and industry research, professional practice and government regulation. Such
skills would prove important across a range of professions, including research for postgraduate studies, industry and government
research; media regulation and media production.

There are two assessment points, each of which is worth 50% of the total module marks:
1. Mid-term essay (Minimum 2500 words, maximum 3000 words)
2. Examination (2 hours)

Topics to be taught may include: What is power? Journalism and the crisis of the public sphere; Propaganda and conflict; Police,
authoritarianism and media power; Media sensationalism and public scandal; Spectatorship and media

1. Introduction

2. Manufacturing consent

3. Media events and rituals

4. Moral panics and media conflict

5. Demonising Media discourse

6. Media Spectacle

7. Spectatorship of suffering

8. Media Scandal

9. Reporting protest and performing dissent

10. UK media power under scrutiny

11. Module review

Carah, N., & Louw, E. (2015). Media and Society: Production, Content and Participation. London: Sage. (Chapter 1)
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