DSM4025 - Why Creative Industries Matter

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

1 - Demonstrate an understanding of the contemporary media sector;
2 - Understand how different media organisations connect to global audiences; and,
3 - Demonstrate an understanding of the historical and industrial development of the creative industries in the UK.

Content:

You will examine the importance of the creative industries to local, regional and national economies. You will explore the impact of tech companies such as Google, Amazon and Facebook on the cultural industries. You will discuss the impact of digital technologies on the sector and analyse case studies from the music industry, film, television, radio and podcasting, newspapers, gaming, photography and theatre. You will also explore the changing conceptions of audience and the importance of market research, audience tracking and advertising to a global consumer base.

Looking to the future you will also analyse the role AI will play in the creation of content and debate key issues regarding how the creative industries will adapt to such pressures.The module includes broadcast video content to inform and inspire discussion.

The module connects with the rest of your degree programme by creating a historical, industrial and theoretical context that will help inform your practical modules at Level 4 and beyond. The media is moving at a rapid rate and it is therefore imperative you can understand not only its timeline and key reference points but also the contemporary landscape and impact of new technologies.

Learning and Teaching Information:

You will be taught in one three-hour block and this will be broken down into three distinct elements. The first will be an interactive lecture that will focus on a different topic each week (one hour). The second will be a workshop which will explore the post-activity from the week before (one hour) and may take the form of a group work exercise or quiz. The final element will consist of a relevant screening aligned to the weekly topic, followed by a discussion of key themes (one hour). Some sessions will be delivered by guest lecturers from the department who are experts in that particular topic.

Interactive Lectures
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 15-20

Workshops
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 15-20

Screenings
Hours: 10
Intended Group Size: 15-20

Guided independent study
Hours: 120

Further Details Relating to Assessment
You will undertake a short formative assessment (500 words) in week 4 of this module in order to prepare you for the final summative assessment at the end of the semester. The formative assessment will be a written piece and relate to one of the weekly topics studied in the first three weeks of the module. This will not count towards your final module mark but feedback will be given. Full details will be provided in the Module Handbook.

The end of semester assessment will offer you the opportunity to complete either an essay or, alternatively, a video presentation. The assessment will be related to one of the weekly topics and allow students to present work on a specific cultural industry, such as film, radio/podcasting, theatre or television. Your work will be informed by government strategies and funding, the impact of regional bodies and the changing media landscape. Additional resources for the assessment will be uploaded to Moodle and distributed as handouts where applicable. The Learning Hub will deliver a mid-semester session to support your understanding of the assignment topic. The video presentation will be expected to include accompanying PowerPoint slides (or alternative) and a voice-over. The video will be uploaded to a Panopto link on the Moodle page. To support your understanding of the brief further, there will be a corresponding Assessment Unpacking video on Moodle, which will cover both the written and video presentation options.

Full details are contained within the Module Handbook.

Assessment:

001 Essay or Video Presentation; 1500 words or 5 mins; end Sem 1 100%

Fact File

Module Coordinator - David Dodd
Level - 4
Credit Value - 15
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered - 4S1

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