A 2000 – 2,500 word essay (excluding bibliograhy)
The essay should be regarded as an analytical paper which:
a) engages in evaluation as well as description of relevant theories, concepts and any other relevant research materials.
b) in which the analysis and discussion of ‘relevant’ theories, concepts and theorists is mainly/primarily focused on the references and readings identified in the class sessions and/or listed in the documentation provided for this module.
c) Your essay should answer ONE of the below questions.
Question Titles:
Q.1) Describe and analyse how certain [you can select] theories, concepts or authors introduced in this course help to broaden or deepen your understanding of key features of ‘media and power’. [Given the limits of word count, your answer should select only a small number of relevant theories, concepts or authors , and discuss them in some depth. ]
Q.2) Describe and evaluate how certain major concepts/theories or theorists considered in this course help to identify and explain both .i) key aspects of ‘the hidden face of power’ and .ii) how the news media relate to such forms or sources of power.
Q.3) Discuss and compare contrasting theories and concepts which address how the role of the media has changed since 1700 in relation to political leaders and official political institutions. Consider theorists or theories examining the role, features and operations of the media with respect to the institutions, actors and processes of the formal political system in the contemporary period.
Q.4) Social media (characterised by user-generated content )have been identified as offering the potential to rebalance the distribution of symbolic power, which, it is asserted has been concentrated in the hands of corporate legacy media for at least a century. Assess and critique this claim with reference to the theories/ideas raised in the module.
Q.5) Discuss how key developments in the lived experience and political economy in Ireland and the EU region over the past five years shed new light on the role and relevance of certain/selected concepts or theories introduced this module’s lectures or core readings (e.g. financial and economic crisis, attendant austerity policies, the onward march of mediatisation processes). Consider and discuss with specific reference to the concepts and ideas posed in the lectures and core readings related to this module
The essay must use in text citation and also use refrences that are seen on included recommended readings / refrences.
