MEDIA ANALYSIS

Question:

What is ‘media globalization’? Critically assess the concept and assess relevant debates by drawing on appropriate media examples.

3000 words

Description

For the second assignment, students are required to write an individual essay of 3000 words. Students are asked to analyse an aspect of the media by engaging with a particular contemporary issue. Students must assess the strengths and weaknesses of approaches and theories in the study of the media, culture and society. The summative assessment will allow students to familiarise themselves with theories, problems and issues raised in the module and to develop a critical understanding of the intersection of media and society.
Guidance notes including Essay Plan Guidance are set out below:
GUIDANCE NOTES FOR THIS TASK

The key elements of a good essay are the following:

• The essay is an academic piece of work. You should therefore research it by consulting academic books and journals. Recommended reading for this subject area is listed in the Module handbook and under appropriate weekly lecture slides.

• The essay should demonstrate a thorough understand of the relevant academic literature in the field related to your chosen essay question.

• Before you start writing, prepare a working outline of your essay.

• The essay should show evidence of a comprehensive understanding of relevant concepts and theories related to the essay question’s topic, and apply them to explain the problem or issue.

• The essay should establish an argument (or arguments) through its focus, i.e. it should put forward an idea/s to be explored and discussed.

• Ensure that your essay is fully and correctly referenced. You should use the Harvard Referencing System (see the referencing guide in your student handbooks and on Blackboard). Please note that the quality of referencing, and the range and diversity of your bibliography will be a key factor in the mark achieved.

• You should aim to include a minimum of 10 references in this work.

• Please refer to the marking criteria in the module handbook for guidance on how the essay will be assessed.
• Please refer to the degree programme handbook for guidance on the Harvard system of referencing to be used in your assignment.
• Please refer to the degree programme handbook for advice on essay writing skills.
Essay plan guidance is set out below:
Essay Plan Guidance:

1. Introduction:
State your aims and objectives:
– State how you intend to answer the question;
– Mention the key theories or debates to be addressed;
– Mention any key empirical examples you are using to support your argument;
– Explain how the essay is structured;
– This section usually comprises 2-5 paragraphs.

2. Key research, theories and debates in the field:
– The main body of the essay should be divided into well organized, coherent and unified paragraphs.
– Outline the main approaches, perspectives, relevant concepts and theories related to the question that help to identify the key problems, themes and issues to be addressed.
– Where relevant, include and critically engage with key empirical research that has been conducted on this subject matter to date (if it is a historical study then develop a historical dimension drawing on past as well as recent research on the subject matter).
– This section is a very important section that outlines the subject matter, relevant questions and relevant concepts. It is a section that demonstrates clearly your understanding of the subject matter, your understanding of the relevant debates in the field and any appropriate concepts and theories.

3. Argument
– Your arguments must be supported theoretically. You must therefore cite any additional sources (academic journals or books) that support your ideas and list them in your bibliography.
– Explain your argument and relevance of any empirical examples:
– This section can involve agreeing or disagreeing with a key perspective, author or set of ideas from section 2;
– It can involve introducing new ideas or concepts or new suggestions and argument but they must be explained and clarified;
– This section can involve drawing together key approaches, ideas, perspectives to synthesise debates.

4. Conclusion
– State what you have achieved, by summarising the key points made in your essay (you may have between 3-6 points).
– State clearly how you have answered the question.
– State clearly how you have used any empirical data; what you have either proved or disproved and/or what you have raised as further questions and issues.
– Overall: State which authors or what theories and perspectives you agree with or disagree with, state the outcome and the implications for this question.
– Make sure you have addressed and answered the question!
Recommended reading (also see references at end of PowerPoint presentations)
Chakravartty, P., Sarikakis, K.(2006) Media Policy and Globalization, Edinburgh University Press.
Hafez, K. (2007) The Myth of Media Globalization, Cambridge: Polity Press.
Hopper, P. (2007) Understanding Cultural Globalization, Polity Press.
Lule, J. (2011) Globalisation and Media, Rowman and Littlefield Publishers.
Lull, J. Schirato, T & J. Webb (2003) Understanding Globalization, (chapter on the public sphere and the media), Sage
Rantanen, T. (2005) The Media and Globalization, Sage.
Tomlinson, J. (1999) Globalisation and Culture, Polity Press.

Crane, et al. (2008) Global Culture: Media, Arts, Policy and Globalisation. Routledge
Harindranath, R. (2006) Perspectives on Global Culture, Open University Press.
Hafez, K. (2007) The Myth of Media Globalization, Cambridge: Polity Press.
Hopper, P. (2007) Understanding Cultural Globalization, Polity Press.
Lull, J. (2000) Media, Communication and Culture: a Global Approach, Polity Press.
Mimi Thi Nguyen and Thuy Linh Nguyen Tu (2007) Alien Encounters: Popular Culture in Asian America Duke University Press.