MP4018 - Media and Morality

You will learn through a combination of taught sessions and independent learning. You will be introduced the key theoretical contentions, historical/political/social contexts, and issues, illustrated through contemporary real-world examples. You will be expected to come to the sessions prepared (i.e. having conducted independent preparatory reading) so that you can engage in debate with your peers. The major theoretical texts are available from the campus library and electronic library, thereby ensuring that you can access the literature required for the taught sessions and the assessment. You are encouraged to read extensively beyond the taught components of the module.

The module tutor has weekly tutorial drop-in hours during which you can seek academic support. You are also provided with an academic personal tutor who also has hours to support student learning. The taught sessions will allow you to engage in group discussion and problem-solving with the module tutor and your peers, thus developing a constructive support network. The delivery of the module will be supported with learning and lecture materials that are accessible via the e-learning portal.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
• You will gain knowledge of contemporary ethical debates regarding issues such as abortion, animal welfare, and freedom of speech (LO1)

• You will gain an introductory understanding a range of moral-philosophical approaches and theories by engaging with scholarship and applying those ideas to relevant examples (LO2)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• You gain experience of interrogating cultural events and media texts by drawing on the theoretical paradigms and approaches covered on the module (LO3)

• You will gain an understanding of key transferable skills, including being able to work independently and communicating complex ideas in small groups (LO4)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• The debates covered during the module will encourage you to reflect on your position as a citizen, focusing on your political, social and moral responsibilities in particular (LO5)

Summative assessment is via a 2500 word essay consisting of theoretically informed analysis of a single issue, exemplified by case studies from contemporary journalism and/or culture. (LO 1-5)

You will receive formative feedback on your ability to conduct analysis of events and cultural objects during the taught discussions. Class discussion will test your ability to critically engage with moral theory and cultural analysis in an academic fashion and allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the ideas raised. You will also have the opportunity to discuss your views with your peers, working together to find solutions to theoretical dilemmas and so forth.

Under normal circumstances, you will receive written feedback on your summative submissions within 20 working days. The feedback will normally be supplied electronically as part of the ESAF process. This feedback will provide a detailed account of your research/methodological skills, critical engagement and communicative ability, as well as supporting future learning by indicating areas for development. You can also request additional verbal feedback on your submissions by arranging a meeting with the module tutor

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‘Media and Morality’ gives you the opportunity to analyse how the media reflects and reports contentious issues. Via interactive workshop sessions, you will learn about, research and develop arguments in relation a variety of subject areas including abortion, animal welfare and freedom of speech. You will use contemporary examples from the news media and popular culture to consider the relevance of moral philosophers. Assessment is via the production of a 2500-word essay. ‘Media and Morality’ gives you an important insight into analytical skills, which will be transferrable to a variety of career paths.