Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2008-2009 (archived)

Module SPRT3181: MEDIA, SPORT AND SOCIETY

Department: Applied Social Sciences (Sport)

SPRT3181: MEDIA, SPORT AND SOCIETY

Type Open Level 3 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2008/09 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

  • Sport, Culture and Society or Discovering Society and Sport and Social Problems

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To provide a critical analysis and critique of the relationship of sport society and the media;
  • To expand and develop the students knowledge and understanding of 'Sport Culture and Society' and 'Sport and Social Problems'.
  • To build on knowledge and understanding gained in the Level 1 module 'Sport Culture and Society' or 'Discovering Society' and Level 2 'Sport and Social Problems' with particular reference to the relationship between the media, sport and society.
  • To develop methodological and theoretical work undertaken in the Level 2 modules Sport and Social Problems and/or Sports Policy & Sports Development.

Content

  • The curriculum is delivered as a rolling programme of lectures and seminars which together are designed to complement each other.
  • The indicative content of the module can be summarised as follows: the relationship between the media, sport and society; the political economy and the production codes involved in the making of media texts; the content and messages of media texts and theories concerning the audience reception of these texts, with particular reference to how contemporary issues and problems in sport are constructed and represented; theories concerning the reception of media texts, with particular consideration as to how the media influence and reflect sport and society more broadly.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • Critically evaluate the relationship between the media, sport and society.
  • Critically analyse and critique how media-sport has a role and influence in society.
  • Critically analyse and critique the production, construction and reception of media texts.
  • Critically evaluate the political, economic and professional forces that shape the making of media-sport and sport more broadly.
  • Understand the theoretical issues raised by the media as a key contemporary area in the social sciences.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Critically analyse and evaluate how a range of issues in sport are constructed and represented by the media.
  • Critically analyse sport from a sociological perspective.
  • Present sociological concepts in a scholarly manner
  • Apply both theoretical and methodological expertise to the analysis and critique of media.
Key Skills:
  • By the end of this module students will be able to:
  • apply sociological theories and perspectives to media and sport
  • employ social research methodologies to analyse media content
  • demonstrate written communication skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Teaching and learning will be centred round lectures and seminars. The different modes of study will allow opportunities for students to acquire, rehearse and reflect upon all main curriculum areas.
  • It is intended that the lecture component of this strategy will deliver much of the required knowledge base. Rehearsal of this material in the form of staff led seminars involving discussions, debates, and media analysis will provide an infrastructure that will support students in terms of developing their understanding of the subject area.
  • Assessment will take the form of an end of module examination and a summative assignment.
  • The end of module examination will address learning outcomes #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6. The summative assignment will specifically target the learning outcome #5.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 19 One per week 1 hour 19
Seminars 8 4 in terms 1 and 2 1 hour 8
Preparation and Reading 173
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Assignment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
summative assignment 3,500 words 100% YES
Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
examination 2 hours 100% YES

Formative Assessment:

Optional Briefing Paper on Film Review 1000 words


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University