In this module, students develop a range of skills which will enable them to undertake the narratological and linguistic analysis of media texts (the term 'text' is used broadly here, and will encompass both written and oral sources) taken from a number of sources, including newspapers, magazines and online discourses. Areas covered include: genre theory, register, narrative theory, multimodality, dialogism and discourse analysis. Also discussed are complex and challenging ideas around the notion of words, signs, and grammar in context. Students will develop the ability to approach the language of the media critically and to read the press perceptively so as to understand the importance of the media in a democratic society.
Total Contact Hours: 20
Private Study Hours: 130
Total Study Hours 150
Main assessment methods
• Assignment 1 (1,000 words) – 40%
• Assignment 2 (1,500 words) –60%
Reassessment methods
• Reassessment Instrument: 100% Coursework
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices.
The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html .
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate knowledge and critical understanding of key narratological and linguistic theories (genre theory, de Saussure, Genette, Barthes) coming to a systematic
understanding of key aspects of this field;
2 Assess the applicability of these theories to current media outputs; for example, in terms of advertising, broadsheets, tabloids and other genre;
3 Accurately carry out detailed analysis of a range of media discourse genres (including newspaper texts, interviews, stand-up comedy, speeches and multimodal
discourse) demonstrating cogent application of the particular linguistic approach under discussion;
4 Use narrative and linguistic theory and related scholarly apparatus to make informed critical and evaluative judgments about a wide range of media, and be able to make
use of this knowledge outside of the contexts in which it was first encountered;
5 Understand how theoretical approaches to the media impact on a wide range of themes and topics, for example: genre, narrative, and concepts of culture and
community, gender, politics and ideology, identity;
6 Appreciate how their own knowledge and cultural background contributes to their understanding of media discourse.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Engage in critical reflection, verbal discussion and written analysis and devise and sustain arguments relating to these analyses;
2 Make judgments about the appropriateness of different theoretical approaches and evaluate the efficacy of such approaches;
3 Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent learning (exercising initiative and personal responsibility) and reflect critically on their own academic work;
4 Present cogent arguments in written form.
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