Globalisation and Communication (P4114)

15 credits, Level 6

Autumn teaching

This module studies the role of the media (broadly understood to include all forms of telecommunications, the Internet and computers, print and televisual journalism, the music industry and all forms of visual media) in the era of globalisation. It will begin by investigating various forms of globalisation and by asking how it is explored through various registers.

We will focus on the relations between globalisation and the media regarded through the lens of global political-economies, through culture and its flows, and through the register of the symbolic. We will then address the specific role of the various media forms/formations in initiating, consolidating and sustaining both the idea and the practice of globalisation.

The module will also consider the risks, possibilities, hopes and anxieties circulating around the figure of accelerating globalisation, as it operates in the arena of media culture. This module will deliver the necessary information and theoretical background for you to understand the key processes and dynamics of globalisation. More specifically, you will be asked to come to terms with the meaning of our current historical moment as it is expressed through the use of the term globalisation in a number of disciplinary fields (politics, economics, cultural studies, media studies, etc). The module is designed to encourage you to then relate the general conception of globalisation to particular case studies in media and culture.

Contact hours and workload

This module is approximately 150 hours of work. This breaks down into about 24 hours of contact time and about 126 hours of independent study. The University may make minor variations to the contact hours for operational reasons, including timetabling requirements.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2021/22. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses:

• English and Media Studies (with a study abroad year) BA
• English and Media Studies BA
• Media and Communications BA