G325 Critical Perspectives: Section B Contemporary Media Issues

One question to be answered from six topics. Two questions offered per topic. Worth 50 marks, one hour to be spent on it.

Students must understand contemporary media texts, industries, audiences and debates. Students need to write academically about perspectives in media and society, referencing

examples, theories and arguments. Understanding of contemporary issues must contain reference to two media (i.e. TV

programmes and films) and a range of texts, industries, audiences and debates.

Each topic has 4 prompt questions and students must be prepared to answer an exam question, that relates to one or more of these prompts.

Media & Collective identity prompt questions:

1. How do the contemporary media represent nations, regions and ethnic/social/collective groups of people in different ways?

2. How does contemporary representation compare to previous time periods?3. What are the social implications of different media representations of groups of people?4. To what extent is human identity increasingly mediated?

Contemporary Media Regulation prompt questions:

1. What is the nature of contemporary media regulation compared with previous practices?2. What are the arguments for and against specific forms of contemporary media regulation?3. How effective are regulatory practices?4. What are the wider social issues relating to media regulation?

Media in the Online Age prompt questions:

1. How have online media developed?2. What has been the impact of the internet on media production?3. How is consumer behaviour and audience response transformed by online media, in relation

to the past?4. To what extent has convergence transformed the media?

We-Media and Democracy prompt questions:

1. What are 'We media'?2. Where/how has 'We Media' emerged?3. In what way are the contemporary media more democratic than before?4. In what ways are the contemporary media less democratic than before?

Reference should be made to the past, present and future in relation to the topic, with emphasis on the contemporary.

NOTE: If you only mention one media area your answer will be restricted to a level 1 response and if you don’t give a historical context and a future projection then that will also restrict your marks.

EXAMPLE PAST QUESTIONS

Practise preparing essay plans and responses for these questions as part of your revision – feel free to email them to me ajoyce@longroad.ac.uk

Media & Collective identity:

1. Analyse the ways in which the media represents groups of people.2. What is collective identity and how is it mediated?3. Analyse the ways in which the media represent one group of people you have studied.4. ‘The media do not construct identity; they merely reflect it’. Discuss.5. With reference to any one group of people that you have studied, discuss how their identity

has been ‘mediated.6. ‘Media representations are complex, not simple and straightforward’. How far do you agree

with this statement in relation to the collective group you have studied?7. Discuss how one or more groups of people are represented through the media.8. Explain the role played by the media in the construction of collective identity.9. Analyse the ways in which at least one group of people is ‘mediated’ Discuss the social

implications of media in relation to collective identity.10. How do media representations influence collective identity?11. Discuss the different ways in which groups of people are represented by the media.12. Discuss the social implications of media in relation to collective identity. You may refer to

one group of people or more in your answer.

Contemporary Media Regulation:

1. To what extent are contemporary media regulated adequately?2. Why is the regulation of media so complex?3. Evaluate arguments for and against stronger regulation of the media.4. To what extent can the media be regulated in the digital age?5. To what extent is contemporary media regulation more or less effective than in previous

times?6. Discuss the need for media regulation.7. How effectively can contemporary media be regulated?8. How far do the changes to the regulation of media reflect broader social changes?9. To what extent is it becoming more difficult to regulate the media and why?10. To what extent are contemporary media regulated adequately?11. Why is the regulation of media so complex?12. “Media Regulation becomes less important as society progresses”. Discuss.

Media in the Online Age:

1. “This is the age of the prosumer – where the consumer becomes the producer” – Discuss.2. Discuss the extent to which the behaviour of media audiences has been transformed by the

internet.3. “The impact of the internet on the media is exaggerated”. Discuss.4. Evaluate the opportunities and the threats offered to media producers by the internet.5. “For media audiences, the internet has changed everything”. Discuss.6. Explain the extent to which online media exist alongside older methods of distribution in

2010.7. “The impact of the internet on the media is revolutionary”. Discuss.8. Discuss the extent to which the distribution and consumption of media have been

transformed by the internet.9. “The online age has significantly changed consumer behaviour and audience reception

compared to the offline age”. Discuss.10. Evaluate the ways in which media producers have taken advantage of convergence.11. The online age has led to competing theories of cultural change. Which do you consider to

be most relevant to the media and why?12. Evaluate the ways in which media audiences have benefitted from online media?

We-Media and Democracy

1. How far can the media in 2010 be considered democratic?2. Explore the claim that the ‘new’ media are more democratic than the ‘old’ media.3. Assess the claim that the media is becoming more democratic.4. What is ‘we media’ and what difference does it make to citizens?5. Discuss the meanings of the term ‘we media’.6. “We get the media we deserve.” Discuss, in relation to the role of media in a democracy. 7. Explain how some features of contemporary media are more democratic than others. 8. As a citizen, to what extent do you feel that the media provide you with a democratic

service?9. Are we the media in 2012?10. Explain your view on the role of the media in a democracy.11. “The media are controlled by those in power just as much as ever, despite technological and

cultural change” How far do you agree with this statement?12. What role do the contemporary media play in safeguarding democracy?