Course info

This module is intended to provide students with a broad understanding of media & journalism main theoretical frameworks in order to develop their critical appraisal of the interconnected communication world of today. It is aimed primarily at students looking to develop a research career in journalism or media studies as well as those students looking to acquire a critical approach of the journalistic practice. 

The module will equip students with the knowledge, theoretical frameworks and critical tools to unpack the complexities of contemporary networked newsrooms. It will provide the conceptual framework required to analyse and comprehend our inter-connected communication sphere, in line with the course’s aim to educate critical journalists who will be able to continually critique and re-assess their practices. The module will be also open to students from other disciplines who would be eager to acquire analytical tools that would support their inter-disciplinary research.

Aims

The aims of this module are to: 

- Develop students’ critical skills to complement their practical training through multiple platforms
- Prepare students to conduct academic research in journalism, media & communication fields.
- Provide students with analytical tools that will enable them to continually critique and re-assess their journalistic practice
- Develop students’ ability to engage with interdisciplinary activities that would enable them to benefit from the University’s diverse and dynamic intellectual environment.

Learning Outcomes

This critical module will aim to provide students with:

•      A sophisticated understanding of the rapidly changing fields of journalism and media studies.

•      A critical insight in the complexities of the hybrid communication sphere of today, blending digital and non-digital practices.

•       An approach of theoretical tools that will prepare them to engage with LIFTS’ research-intensive environment in their own field.

•      A rigorous critical analysis that will complement their professional training by enabling them to continually assess and critique it.

•      An introduction to main research skills, approaches and methods

•      An understanding of key leading intellectual debates, discussions and scholarly literature in the field of media/journalism theory.