BA degree or equivalent professional experience

A computer for accessing Blackboard, websites, and electronic journals.
Course texts and course learning pack

It is generally taken for granted there is an essential link between media and communication policies and social, cultural, and economic development objectives.

This module examines debates about media and development and international policy attempts to address issues of governance, financing, media diversity, and human rights within the media and communication environment of the 20th and 21st centuries. Attention will be given to conflicts and contradictions in the application of these principles to media development initiatives in the global South as well as to emerging initiatives by civil society organisations to challenge conventional media representations of development and improve public awareness and understanding of development.

The main focus will be on self instruction, within a tightly structured framework and relying largely (but not exclusively) on materials supplied. Week by week students will work through self-instructional course material (delivered via blackboard), which provides the framework and focus for reading key texts and papers and undertaking the specific tasks set. This work will be undertaken on an individual basis, but at various points students are expected to interact and share material with other students in their learning group and their tutor. (24 hours). The module will run over 16 weeks including 4 weeks to complete assessments.

An online induction and introduction to Blackboard and the course will be available to all students.

Harvey, M. (Ed.) (2007) Media Matters: Perspectives on Advancing Media and Development from the Global Forum for Media Development.
Internews. Available online at http://www.internews.org/pubs/gfmd/mediamatters.shtm
Hemer, O., Tufte, T. (eds.) (2005) Media and Glocal Change: Rethinking Communication for Development.
Clasco books. Available online at http://bibliotecavirtual.clacso.org.ar/ar/libros/edicion/media/media.html
Melkote, Srinivas R., Steeves, H. Leslie (2001) Communication for Development in the Third World: Theory and Practice for Empowerment. Sage.
Sparks, C. (2007) Globalization, Development and the Mass Media. Sage.

The first essay will require you to apply conceptual and theoretical insight to a critical evaluation of one of the principal paradigms of development communication. [LO 1 & 2]

The seminar presentation will require you to produce a 1,000-word online seminar presentation on a set topic. [LO 1, 2 & 4]

The second essay will require you demonstrate an overall appreciation of the theoretical and intellectual concerns of the module through a critical evaluation of a case study example of media and development communication. [LO 1, 2 & 3]

Participation requires you to participate in and contribute to at least 5 other seminar discussions in addition to your seminar presentation. [LO 1, 2 & 4]