COURSEWORK SET BRIEF

 

Objectives:

• Media Content Analysis: Examine a variety of media texts—including advertisements, films, TV shows, news articles, and social media—to uncover underlying themes, messages, and narratives.

• Representation in Media: Explore how different groups, identities, and cultures are portrayed, and assess the impact of these representations on societal attitudes.

• Media Institutions & Production: Investigate the role of media institutions in shaping narratives and controlling content, while also considering the influence of technology and globalization on media production.

• Audience Engagement & Reception: Analyze how audiences interpret, interact with, and respond to media, emphasizing the concept of the ‘active audience’ in modern media consumption.

• Critical Thinking & Evaluation: Develop critical thinking skills by assessing the ethical, social, and cultural implications of media narratives and the responsibilities of media creators.

Task Requirements:

• Research & Analysis:

• Select and examine media texts from various sources, analyzing their storytelling techniques, visuals, language, and sound.

• Explore how narratives are structured to shape audience perception.

• Representation in Media:

• Critically assess the portrayal of specific groups (e.g., gender, race, class) in media texts.

• Evaluate how these representations influence public perceptions and societal norms.

• Media Institutions & Production:

• Investigate how production companies, news outlets, and digital platforms shape narratives.

• Discuss the role of technology and globalization in transforming media creation and distribution.

• Audience Engagement & Reception:

• Examine how audiences interpret and respond to media, considering factors like personal background and social context.

• Explore audience agency in negotiating media meaning.

• Critical Evaluation & Reflection:

• Assess the ethical, social, and cultural impact of media narratives.

• Reflect on the responsibility of media institutions and creators in shaping public discourse.

This coursework aims to develop a deeper understanding of media’s power in shaping society while fostering analytical and evaluative skills essential for media studies.