Module Code - Title:
JM6012
-
CRITICAL ECONOMIC AND MEDIA STUDIES
Year Last Offered:
2025/6
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
This module explores the relationship between media and the market economy, in order to gain an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between these two notions, i.e. how the media impacts on the market and how the media and other cultural institutions are products of the market. Students will acquire the analytical tools necessary to investigate dominant market discourses.
Syllabus:
The module combines elements of economic anthropology, journalism and media studies, applied linguistics, and cultural studies. The main themes of the module are:
• Theories of markets (ranging from early thinking about culture and the market to recent debates on culture and globalisation and providing an introduction to the key thinkers in this area);
• News Discourse and the Market;
• Alternatives to the Market (the phenomenon of counter-market cultures, and cultures that suggest alternatives to free market capitalism
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a number of economic theories;
• Demonstrate understanding of the interrelationship between media, linguistic processes and economic processes;
• Evaluate and synthesise a range of complex theoretical arguments in oral and written form;
• Apply this knowledge to the analysis of a particular case study.
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate enhanced critical awareness of market discourses;
• Demonstrate developed critical thinking and ability to engage in critical analysis.
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
n/a
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
This module is an online reading course with practical on campus/online workshops (tutorials). There is a strong element of reading essential works and state of the art literature.
Research Findings Incorporated in to the Syllabus (If Relevant):
Prime Texts:
Silke, H., Quinn, F., Rieder, M., eds. (2023)
How to read economic news
, Routledge
Basu, L, Schifferes, S., Knowles, S., eds. (2018)
The Media and Austerity: Comparative Perspectives
, Routledge
Devereux, E. (2013)
Understanding the media
, Sage
Hansen, A & Machin, D. (2013)
Media and Communication Research Methods
, Palgrave
Wahl-Jorgensen, K. & Hanitzsch, T. (2009)
The Handbook of Journalism Studies
, Routledge
Preston, P. (2009)
Making the News : Journalism and News Cultures in Europe'.
, Routledge
Other Relevant Texts:
Fuchs, C. (2009)
A Contribution to Theoretical Foundations of Critical Media and Communication Studies
, The Public 16(2):5-24
Strauss, N. (2018)
Financial journalism in today's high-frequency news and information era
, Journalism, 20(2): 274-291
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
MAALINTFA - APPLIED LINGUISTICS (INTERNATIONAL)
MAEUSTTFA - EUROPEAN STUDIES
MAJOURTFA - JOURNALISM
MAJOURTFC - JOURNALISM
MAJOURTPA - JOURNALISM
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
niamh.kirk@ul.ie