2024/25 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5200M Communication and International Affairs

30 creditsClass Size: 70

Module manager: Shira Dvir-Gvirsman
Email: TBC@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

This module seeks to provide taught postgraduate students with an understanding of the relationships between communications and international systems and to help them develop a critical appreciation of controversial issues within the field of international communications. A focus of this module is to provide a forum for discussion of inequity in global communications by building skills as analysts of the structures, institutions, and political economy of global media.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are as follows:-

-To introduce the political, economic and cultural elements of international communications and their interconnections

-To develop an understanding of the complexity of international communications and its implications on local, national and global levels

-To appreciate how media technologies and systems of international communications affect news coverage, entertainment and official systems of information

-To examine controversial issues within the field, especially the role of communications in national development, the relative power of governments and media organisations, the problems of regulation and the impact of communication technologies

-To provide an interdisciplinary approach that draws from a range of social sciences, primarily Media and Communications Studies, Sociology, International Relations and Cultural Studies

-To engage students in debates about key issues surrounding international communications, and encourage independent thinking, as appropriate for postgraduate level

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:

1) Describe the complexity of international communication and its implications on local, national and global levels

2) Explain how media technologies and systems of international communications affect news, entertainment and official systems of information

3) Analyse and critique controversial issues within the field, especially the role of communications in national development, the relative power of governments and media organizations, the problems of regulation and the impact of communication technologies

4) Evaluate these theories in analysis of international communication approaches from a range of social sciences, primarily communication studies, sociology, international relations and cultural studies

Skills Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:



5) Advanced communication skills: the ability to showcase an understanding of cultural diversity and communicate effectively across cultural contexts to analyse structures and processes of international communication 

6) Critical reflection: the ability to critically consider and reflect on global hierarchies of knowledge production and an ability to evaluate and synthesize information from multiple cultures and contexts.   

Syllabus

Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students are provided with feedback on their understanding and progress informally through seminars. They are also encouraged to visit the module leader during office hours for further feedback on their written assignments. Feedback from the first assignment is received before the second assignment.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	3000 words	50.00
Essay	3000 words	50.00
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: 30/04/2024

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