Islam and the Media

This pathway is part of the MA Global Society and Media Communication

This pathway examines this subject through a variety of ways studying both the representation, the production context and reception of messages about Islam. It is broadly accepted (and research shows) that Muslims receive negative attention across a range of media forms, within a diversity of media outlets and countries.

Why is this the case and in what circumstances does this arise? Equally does it matter? Does the reception of this content manifest in an equally negative way? These are some of the issues we will be exploring within the context of a degree which aims to place these debates within their political, economic and social conditions. You will be taught by experts in the study of the media and Islam and have the opportunity to specialise in an area of your own interest.

MA students will take four courses:  Media and the Developing World,  Media Contexts and Change, Understanding Audiences and another subject from the list below.  In addition you will undertake a research project on a topic relating to your chosen specialism (dissertation).


Islam and the Media
Have you noticed that Muslims are an everyday feature of news reports? Why is this and what is this coverage like? We attempt to answer these questions with a thorough examination of studies that show that the representation of Muslims in the media is simplistic and reductive. What is the context in which these images have been formulated? Do Muslims working in the media make any difference? Do people internalise these images and accept them or interpret them across a myriad of intervening factors? What is the impact of digital media for production and consumption? For example, how are new media forms being used across borders for diasporic communities? This module explores these issues that are evolving on a daily basis. Discuss today’s news coverage with a group of interested parties and experts in the field. Have your finger on the pulse.

Media Contexts and Change
This module examines the political and economic contexts of the media and the impact of forces of globalisation and digitalisation on media institutions. Issues of power are central to the module. Students will be encouraged to consider the ways in which contexts of production have implications for media processes, content and ultimately meaning.

Media Audiences
This module analyses the historical conceptualization and investigation of audiences in media studies. Considering examples from a wide diversity of media, e.g. print, televisual, and internet-based, the module will raise questions regarding the meaningfulness and relevance of the audience concept as it reconfigures in light of technological developments and processes of globalisation. It examines differences between local, national, and trans-national audiences with reference to the politics of identity formation and changing patterns of consumption and interaction with a diversity of converging media products.

Dissertation
At this stage you can choose to specialise through either a theoretical dissertation or applied project. This will allow you to build on interests developed earlier on in the course.

Options
• Civil Society: Origins Development and International Context (VLE)
• Culture and Identity (VLE)
• Researching Media, Culture and Society (VLE)

Each module is assessed by written assignments or a combination of written assignment and/or other assessment like seminar presentations. Some modules involve practical assignments such as building a web log.
 
For 30 credit modules you will complete approximately 5000 to 6000 words or equivalent. The full MA will include a 60 credit dissertation of approximately 16,000 words, under the guidance of a designated tutor/specialist.

Dr Elizabeth Poole is a Senior Lecturer in Media Studies. She specialises in the area of race and representation, in particular Muslims and the News. Dr Poole has significant postgraduate teaching experience and published widely in the area of Muslims representation including: Reporting Islam: Media Representations of British Muslims (2002, I B Tauris) Muslims and the News Media (Editor with John E Richardson, 2006).

Dr Maggie Andrews is a Senior Lecturer in Popular and Modern History who specialises in the historical changes in production and consumption of popular media texts. She has significant teaching experience, at postgraduate and undergraduate level and has taught distance learning students for many years. She has published on TV Comedy, Women’s Magazines, Cookery Programmes and the History of Consumption.

Dr Victor Horboken is a Senior Lecturer in Media and Communication Studies. He has a ten years “hands-on” experience in print journalism preceded by years of living and working in Central-Eastern Europe. His knowledge of cultural and historical realities in the region (as well as his knowledge of some Eastern European languages) allows him to follow closely the developments in politics and mass communications in that part of the world. His research interests include global communications, ethnic minority media, diasporas, inter-ethnic communication and ideology.

Dr Joy Sisley is a Senior Lecturer in Media Studies who specialises in inter-cultural communication and media.  She has teaching and supervision experience at post-graduate levels and has published on translation and inter-mediality.  Prior to a career in academia she has worked in international publishing, broadcast television and community media.