SO118-15 Life of Media: Past, Present & Future

When people think about media these days, the internet and social media immediately spring to mind. But of course, these are only the latest developments in a long history of humans communicating to ever larger numbers, about a wider variety things, over greater expanses of space and time.

This module surveys that history from a sociological perspective, looking at how people respond to the form and the content of media representations through the lens of sociological theory and empirical research. The module starts with the early theories of mass media and their impact on people’s lives. Step by step, the module introduces key developments in the history of media research. Ultimately we arrive at the role of social media in society. We consider how the highly distributed and democratised nature of the internet and social media is transforming society and people’s lives on an evolving basis. The module asks you to consider your own experience of media and to critical interrogate its role in society from a sociological perspective.

Key Information

Optional Module

15 CATS

Autumn Term

Summative Assessment: 2000 word essay (100%)

Teaching: 1 hour lecture & 1 hour seminar per week

Module Convenor: Akane Kanai