module specification

This module provides an exciting opportunity for students to explore the relationship between popular culture, mass media and political messages. The module offers a comprehensive overview of key media topics, it defines concepts such as pop culture and pulp media while questioning their intricate connections with politics. Throughout the module, students are encouraged to analyse the interplay between media and popular culture, investigate how media influences and mirrors cultural trends, and consider the role of media in political communication including its impact on public opinion. A wide range of media within various cultural and political landscapes is examined to provide students with an understanding of the reciprocal relationship between politics and popular media content. The module covers diverse media including films, TV shows, social media, podcasts, news media, music and more.

This module aims to:
• Motivate students to explore specific popular culture practices and mass media
• Encourage students to discuss media in multifaceted contexts
• Facilitate a supportive environment to enhance students’ communication skills in media
• Prepare students with the foundational knowledge necessary for the pursuit of Level 4 courses related to their field of interest

The following list of topics is only indicative and subject to change based on the evolving nature of the module:

• Fan culture and popular culture
• Subcultures and political resistance
• Participatory culture and citizen journalism
• Fake news and the post-truth era
• The pornographic gaze in music videos
• Sexuality and identity in music
• Song lyrics and ideological perspectives
• Race, Ethnicity in advertising
• Race and cultural appropriation in music
• Identity politics and social media
• The digital self in cybermedia
• Pulp heroes in comics and on the big screen
• Pulp narratives in film and TV series

The teaching methods include seminar-lectures, guided questions, discussion groups, and audio-visual presentations creating an interactive learning environment. Engagement with learning materials is encouraged with the expectation students will revisit lecture slides, critically examine primary and secondary sources, and enhance comprehension through independent topic research. The module employs various materials for blended learning, including PowerPoint slides, online resources, workshops, and multimedia content accessible on Weblearn. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) serves as a platform to support remote learning activities and to enable students to access a wide range of online resources and e-readings at their own pace.

Learning is actively encouraged in class through discussions to boost students’ confidence at developing opinions about popular culture, mass media and political aspects. The facilitation of short screenings, quizzes, and focused discussions on specific media scenarios promotes students’ active engagement and deepens their understanding of the subject matter.

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
LO1: Demonstrate a broad knowledge of key debates in the study of mass media, popular culture and political debates.
LO2: Demonstrate a basic level of reflective and critical skills of media texts and practices.
LO3: Articulate thoughts, express opinions, and engage with diverse perspectives relating to media.
LO4: Work collaboratively and individually towards improving their understanding of the media and popular culture.

https://rl.talis.com/3/londonmet/lists/4777B34A-52BE-FD07-FF87-04856E17D662.html?lang=en