2016/17 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM1210 The History of Communication

20 creditsClass Size: 180

Module manager: Ms Judith Stamper
Email: j.stamper@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2016/17

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Objectives

This module provides students with a background in the history of the media. It allows them to develop an understanding of the relationship between the media and social change, and to understand specific media texts within appropriate cultural, political and economic contexts. The assessment of the module requires students to link together macro-scale changes with individual textual products. Therefore students are directed to form an understanding of the interconnectedness of texts and contexts essential to making sense of the communications industries and their products. The lectures, by taking a thematic approach, help students to situate changes in context and to make sense out of claims of novelty and continuity.

Learning outcomes
n completion of this module, students should be able to:

- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical forces that form and frame the communications industries and their products
- Carry out analyses of media texts in their historical, social and technological contexts
- Critically evaluate historical sources
- Use evidence to support academic arguments about the history of communications

Skills outcomes
- A solid knowledge of the historical forces that have formed and framed the communications industries and their products;
- The ability to carry out analysis of media texts in their historical, social and technological context;
- The ability to extract pertinent information from secondary sources and utilise them in a coherent piece of discursive writing;
- Use of evidence, argument and academic apparatus.

Syllabus

This module will explore a variety of historical perspectives on issues including the development of news; the historical antecedents of modern day citizen media; the birth and growth of feminine media spheres; the establishment of commercial culture; the history of radical and alternative media; cultural values, moral regulation and media content; & political change and the media.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	10	2.00	20.00
Seminar	8	1.00	8.00
Private study hours			172.00
Total Contact hours			28.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Students are required to complete background reading for each seminar (est. 10 hours per seminar). The remaining private study time should be dedicated to researching, preparing and writing the essays.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance will be monitored at lectures and seminars. Office hours will be available for students to come and discuss the module and assessment (e.g. essay plans) throughout the semester.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	2,000 - 2,500 words	40.00
Essay	3,000 - 3,500words	60.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 26/04/2016

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