Course

OPEN ELECTIVES-UG (Arts , Humanities and Commerce)

Unit 1

Understanding Media and Communication

Definition of media and communication – Functions and roles of media in society – Basic communication models (e.g., Shannon-Weaver model) – Theories of mass communication (e.g., agenda-setting theory, cultivation theory)

Unit 2

History and Evolution of Media

Evolution of print media (e.g., newspapers, books) – Rise of electronic media (e.g., radio, television) – Impact of digital media and the internet

Unit 3

Media Industries and Technologies

Overview of media industries (e.g., advertising, film, journalism) – Technological innovations in media production and distribution – Media convergence and its implications – Economic models of media production and distribution

Unit 4

Media Literacy and Criticism

Definition and importance of media literacy – Key concepts in media criticism (e.g., representation, ideology, framing) – Strategies for analyzing media texts (e.g., semiotics, narrative analysis) – Ethical considerations in media production and consumption.

Unit 5

Media and Society

Media effects on attitudes, behavior, and culture – Representation of gender, race, and class in media – Globalization and media flows – Media regulation and censorship

Course Objective:

This introductory course in Media Studies aims to provide non-media students with a foundational understanding of the principles, theories, and practices within the field of media and communication. By the end of the course, students will be able to analyze and critically evaluate media texts, understand the role of media in society, and demonstrate proficiency in key concepts such as media literacy, communication theories, media industries, and ethical considerations.

References:

1. Richard Campbell, Christopher R. Martin, Bettina Fabos – Media & Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication – Macmillan Learning
2. Marshall McLuhan – Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man – MIT Press
3. Richard Campbell, Christopher Martin – Media Essentials: A Brief Introduction – Bedford/St Martins
4. James Potter – Introduction to Media Literacy – SAGE
5. Paul Marris and Sue Thornham – Media Studies: A Reader – New York University Press
6. James Curran, Nick Couldry – Media and Society: Production, Content, and Participation
7. David Barrat – Media Sociology – Routledge
8. John Fiske – Introduction to Communication Studies – Taylor & Francis
9. Arthur Asa Berger – Media and Communication Research Methods: An Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches – SAGE