Political Economy of the Media POLITIC5108

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course considers how media is shaped by capitalism and power relations in society, from a global perspective. It considers topics including media ownership and financing; convergence and digital media; the role of media policy and regulation; and the possibilities for alternative media. 

Timetable

Lecture: one hour per week, for 10 weeks

Seminar: one hour per week, for 10 weeks

Requirements of Entry

Open to postgraduate students only

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Case study 2500 words (50%)

Essay, 2,500 words (50%)

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to introduce and encourage critical engagement with key theories of the political economy of the media; to understand how these dynamics vary across regional contexts; and to develop analytical skills necessary to assess contemporary dynamics of power, capital and media democracy.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• explain key theories of the political economy of the media and how these have changed over time;

• analyse how media ownership and power relates to global economic trends, as well as regional dynamics;

• evaluate means of countering or mitigating the problems of media concentration;

• produce sustained arguments on contemporary debates relating to media power and ownership.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.