module specification

This module explores the place of the cultural and creative industries in contemporary societies. It examines a range of different conceptual frameworks used to study the structure, ownership and control of the creative and cultural industries as well as the relationships between creativity, economy and politics. It considers the applicability of such conceptual frameworks in the analysis of specific industries: film, music, television, press, internet. The module provides students with an understanding of the historical context of different processes of production, distribution and consumption of cultural goods.

Aims of the module:

● To enable students to understand current critical theoretical debates in media and communication

● To enable students to understand the economic and political dynamics of specific cultural and creative industries
● To enable students to understand theories of production and consumption of cultural goods
● To enable students to understand the relations between culture and the state

Successful completion of Level 5

● an introduction to the cultural and creative Industries
● theories of cultural production
● ownership and control of the cultural and creative industries
● theories and patterns of cultural consumption
● culture and the state: policy and regulation
● creative labour
● the press
● the television industry
● the film industry
● the music industry
● technological change
● internationalisation

Learning Outcomes LO 1 - 4

Teaching methods include lectures, workshops, seminars, screenings, fieldwork/visits, media lab work, library sessions on research methods and tutorials.  Students are expected to attend lectures and seminars: in the seminars they will at times work in small groups and be given practice in listening to each other’s contributions and offering constructive criticism, and in chairing and reporting discussion to the plenary seminar group. The module booklet will be available online, as will lecture outlines and some readings. Weblearn or its equivalent will also be used for communication with students individually and as a cohort. Students are expected to engage in self-directed learning including reading, use of Weblearn, and assessment preparation.  In addition to guided reading, students are expected to read and to use variety of sources (primary and secondary) and use seminars and tutorials to raise issues, questions and seek feedback.

(LO1) Critically evaluate different conceptual frameworks used in the study of the cultural and creative industries

(LO2) Identify and evaluate the implications of different patterns of ownership, control and regulation in specific cultural and creative industries

(LO3) Compare and evaluate different theories of production and consumption

(LO4) Select and evaluate a range of literature relevant to a theoretical research topic relating to a specific cultural and creative industry

The module will be assessed via two items of coursework:

a) A 2,000 word essay will assess the student’s ability to critically engage with, analyse and discuss key conceptual frameworks in Media and Communication (LO1, LO2, LO3)

b) A 2,000 word report will assess the student’s ability to examine critically examples of the cultural and creative industries in a specific country, drawing on the conceptual frameworks studied (LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4)

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/sm5078.html

Core texts:

Albarran, A. B. 2017. The Media Economy. 2nd Edition. London and New York: Routledge.
Hesmondhalgh, D. (2013) The Cultural Industries. 3rd Edition. London: Sage. Introduction.
Flew, T. (2013) Global Creative Industries. Cambridge: Polity Press.
O’Connor, J. (2010) The cultural and creative industries: a literature review. Second Edition. Newcastle upon Tyne: The Arts Council.

Other texts:

Calabrese, A. and C. Sparks (eds). 2004. Toward a Political Economy of Culture: Capitalism and Communication in the Twenty-First Century. London: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Chalaby, J.K. 2005. Transnational Television Worldwide, London: I.B. Tauris

Collins, R. et al. 1988. The Economics of Television - The UK Case. London: Sage.

Cottle, S. 2003. Media Organization and Production. London: Sage.

Curran, J. and J. Seaton. 2019. Power without Responsibility: Press, Broadcasting and the Internet in Britain. 8th Edition. London: Routledge.

Curran, J. and M. Gurevitch (eds). 2005. Mass Media and Society (4th Edition). London: Arnold

Doyle, G. 2002. Understanding Media Economics. London: Sage.

Doyle, G. 2002. Media Ownership. London: Sage.
Du Gay, P. and M. Pryke. 2002. Cultural Economy: Cultural analysis and commercial life. London: Sage.

Flew, T. 2013. Global Creative Industries. Cambridge: Polity Press. Miller, T. (2009) ‘From Creative to Cultural Industries.’ Cultural Studies 23(1): 88 - 99.
Garnham, N. 2000. Emancipation, the Media, and Modernity.  Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Guerrina, R. 2002. Europe: History, Ideas and Ideologies. London: Arnold.


Hesmondhalgh, D. 2019. The Cultural Industries. Fourth Edition.  London: Sage PublicationsInc.

Hesmondhalgh, D. and Baker, S. (eds). 2011. Creative Labour: Media work in three cultural industries. London and New York: Routledge.
Mato, D. 2009. ‘All industries are cultural.’ Cultural Studies 23(1): 70 - 87.
Miege, B.  1989. The Capitalisation of Cultural Production. New York: IG.
Miller, T. 2009. ‘From Creative to Cultural Industries.’ Cultural Studies 23(1): 88 - 99.
Mosco, V. 2009. The Political Economy of Communication (2nd Edition). London: Sage. (Chapter 3).
Nichols, R. and Martínez, G. 2019. Political Economy of Media Industries: Global Transformations and Challenges. London and New York:  Routledge.
O’Connor, J. 2010. The cultural and creative industries: a literature review. Second Edition. Newcastle upon Tyne: The Arts Council.