Media And Society

Beginning with an understanding of the social character of communication, this course explores the interrelationship between media - oral, written, print, broadcast, and electronic media - and society. It considers the production and reception of media in relation to social inequality, political power, economic structure and cultural life. Topics include the role of media in the social construction of reality, the making of popular culture, cyber-culture, and the creation of new vehicles of self-expression. In addition to examining theories of media, the course explores issues such as the rise of the media industry and the formulation of media policies within national and transnational contexts. It also focuses on the social impact of 'new media' created by the digital technologies, especially the Internet and mobile telecommunications.