Provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of key aspects of policy and regulation affecting media and cultural industries.

3 hour weekly meetings (lectures and seminars)

None

None

The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Essay 1 - (3000 words) - 50%

■ Essay 2 - (3000 words) - 50%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the essays, but a flexible deadline and extra time can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

This course aims to

■ provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of key aspects of policy and regulation affecting media and cultural industries; 

■ develop students' understanding of the evolution of and current developments within media policy, and awareness of the principles and standards that underlie media regulation.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ apply an understanding of the main ways in which media and cultural industries are subject to regulatory and policy interventions; 

■ utilise a critical awareness of the principles underpinning policy and regulation in this area and and be able to engage with current debates about the shape and direction for policies affecting media; 

■ prove knowledge of a range of significant topics that impinge on media and cultural regulation and policy, including ownership and control; public interest and market driven media; the impact of digitisation on the media and cultural ecology and censorship and media rights issues.