This module aims to enhance students’ understanding of a variety of media discourse genres, ranging from broadcast talk to social media discourse. We focus particularly on how media discourse in public participation media has changed over time in relation to specific technological developments, such as the introduction of new technologies, and wider social and political phenomena, such as globalisation. We examine a range of media forms and their meanings, as articulated primarily through language, and explore issues relevant to media production, audience/user participation, media disputes, mediated narratives and advice-giving. This module aims to develop students’ understanding of how different approaches can be used to analyse a range of media genres, drawing on conversation analysis, media discourse analysis, and interactional sociolinguistics.

On completion of the module, a student should be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of how language (together with other semiotic resources) is strategically used in mediated contexts, and how media discourse has changed over time;
• Use relevant and appropriate approaches to analysing text and talk in mediated contexts;
• Understand how the relationship between media professionals and audience is constructed in a range of different media settings;
• Critically evaluate relations between language, representations, and power in mediated contexts.
• Develop basic IT skills and author a digital document (using editing software or online templates).

Timetabled sessions include 2 lectures and 1 seminar per week. Lectures are usually supplemented with PowerPoint slides and handouts, summarising content and/or providing samples from media texts or talk. These are usually made available on Learning Central during or immediately after the session. When audio or visual texts are to be analysed in detail, transcripts are provided. Audio and video are regularly used in this module.

During seminars, you may be required to make presentations and/or lead discussion. In this case, you will be given sufficient time to prepare and practice your contribution, either before the class or in pair or group work in class. Seminars may also require you to do some preparation in advance, involving reading of research papers for seminar discussion or collecting snippets of media texts or talk to discuss and analyse in class. Seminars 1-5 will take place in a computer lab, to support students in developing basic IT skills and using appropriate tools to author digital documents.

You will develop your analytical skills and ability to apply theory and appropriate methodologies to the analysis of original data. At the same time, you will enhance your critical ability to reflect upon processes of media production and their evolution over time. You will practise comparing and contrasting different types of information and theories, as well as integrating different methodologies. All assessment tasks will assist you in developing further your ability to sustain a logical argument and reach a convincing conclusion.   The module is also relevant to all the employability pathways and enhances students’ digital literacy skills, in particular.

The module is assessed by coursework (50%) and exam (50%).

The coursework (50%) provides an opportunity to explore a topic in more depth and apply your knowledge of relevant theories and methodologies to the analysis of a (broadcast or digital) media text of your choice. Your coursework should demonstrate knowledge of how language (together with other semiotic resources, if relevant) is strategically used in specific instances of media discourse, drawing on previous research and debates about media language. The discussion of your own findings in light of previous research will allow you to critically reflect upon changes of media discourse over time and wider issues of power and ideology in mediated contexts. The essay will be authored and presented in a digital format.

The exam (50%) involves short questions/answers assessing understanding of key concepts and a more argumentative essay on an aspect of media discourse. For the essay, you will need to develop a clear and coherent argument that touches upon an aspect of media discourse and demonstrates good understanding of and critical engagement with key readings.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE:

In accordance with University regulations, students are allowed two attempts at retrieval of any failed essay, for a maximum module mark of 40%.  Resit assessments are held over the summer.

The module will include a selection of most of the following topics:

• Public Participation Media
• Doing ‘being ordinary’ on air
• Performing the self on reality TV
• Self-branding and Twitter discourse
• Telling personal stories on air and on social media
• Public participation and media debates
• Media conflict and disputes
• Public participation and mediated advice
• Performance, Spectacle and Mediatization

Lorenzo-Dus, N. (2009) Television Discourse: Analysing Language in the Media.  Basingstoke: Palgrave-Macmillan.
Page, R. (2012) Stories and Social Media: Identities and Interaction. New York/London: Routledge.
Thornborrow, J. (2015) The Discourse of Public Participation Media: From talk show to Twitter. London: Routledge.
Tolson, A. (2006) Media Talk: Spoken Discourse on TV and radio. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Georgakopoulou, A. and Spilioti, T. (2015) The Routledge Handbook of Language and Digital Communication. London and New York: Routledge.
Hutchby, I. (2006) Media Talk: Conversation Analysis and the Study of Broadcasting. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill, Open University Press.
Myers, G. (2004) Matters of Opinion: Talking about public issues. Cambridge: CUP.
Scannell, P. (ed) (1991) Broadcast Talk. London: Sage.
Tagg, C. (2015) Exploring Digital Communication: Language in Action. London and New York: Routledge.