Objectives

This portion of the course will prepare you to conduct research in the field of cultural studies in general, and media and (mass) communication in particular. You won’t be asked to write a research paper for this class, but you will be expected to demonstrate your understanding of various research methods and show that you are able to conduct appropriate basic research.

Textbook

Jane Stokes (2003). How to do media and cultural studies. London: Sage.

Recommended text

Van Leeuwen, T. & Jewitt, C. (2002). Handbook of visual analysis. London: Sage.

Grading

You will be required to submit 6 assignments; each is worth 10 points. You will receive specific instructions on assignments in class and all assignments are due at the next class (for example, if you receive an assignment on Nov. 4 in class, that assignment is due on Nov. 6 in class and so forth). Five points will be automatically deducted for any late assignment.

We will also have 4 quizzes on reading material. They will take place at the beginning of class periods. No make-up quizzes will be given.

I will not give a separate grade for this section of the course. Your final grade will be based on your cumulative points over the semester.

Tentative schedule

Oct. 30: Chapter 1 Getting Started; Chapter 2 Sources and resources

Nov. 4: Chapter 3 Analyzing media and cultural texts

Nov. 6: No class

Nov. 11: Chapter 3 Analyzing media and cultural texts

Nov. 13: Chapter 4 Researching media institutions and the culture industries

Nov. 18: Chapter 4 Researching media institutions and the culture industries

Nov. 20: Chapter 5 Methods of analyzing audiences

Nov. 25: Chapter 5 Methods of analyzing audiences

Dec. 2: Chapter 6 Presenting your work

Dec. 4 Wrap up