NMD4102 Political Economy of MediaBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs DIGITAL GAME DESIGNGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
DIGITAL GAME DESIGN
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
NMD4102 Political Economy of Media Spring 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. Öğr. Üyesi TİRŞE ERBAYSAL FİLİBELİ
Course Lecturer(s): Dr. Öğr. Üyesi TİRŞE ERBAYSAL FİLİBELİ
Course Objectives: This course aims to analyze the media sector from a political economy viewpoint and present the theoretical and methodological approaches within this field. Through the theoretical readings students will gain information on the relationship between media, power and democracy. Students will develop a critical point of view on the role of media.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
- will be introduced by the key concepts of political economy,
- will evaluate the determining factors regarding the production, distribution and consumption in media.
- will grasp the relationship between production and consumption in media markets.
- will develop a critical perspective about public policy debates related to competition in media markets (globally and locally) and media ownership, race, ethnicity and media, audience activity, intellectual freedom and copyrights, surveillance and privacy, and access to information.

Course Content

This course examines the political economy of mass media in modern societies. Issues such as media ownership, the role of media on democracy, media economics, the role and state of audience, the structure of digital media etc. are discussed thoroughly within a critical theoretical framework throughout the semester.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction and Overview of the Course
2) The political economy of media / Key concepts “For a political economy of mass communications”, Graham Murdock & Peter Golding
3) The political economy of media / Key concepts “The study of the political economy of the media in the twenty-first century”, Janet Wasko
4) Media, Power and Democracy Readings from Louis Althusser, Antonio Gramsci and Herbert Schiller
5) Manufacturing consent: the political economy of the mass media “Manufacturing consent: the political economy of the mass media” Edward S. Herman/Noam Chomsky
6) The political economy of the press and news value “The structure of foreign news: the presentation of the Congo, Cuba and Cyprus crises in four Norwegian newspapers”, Johan Galtung and Mari Ruge “What Is News? Galtung and Ruge revisited”, Tony Harcup & Deirdre O'Neill
7) Midterm
8) Introduction to political economy of new media
9) Alternative media
10) Alternative media and crowdfunding in the digital age
11) Net neutrality
12) The political economy of film industry Discussion: The Post (movie)
13) A comparative analysis of media pluralism
14) Closing section: final review before final exam

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky, Manufacturing Consent: the Political Economy of the Mass Media, New York: Pantheon Books, 2002.
References:

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 13 % 0
Seminar 2 % 20
Midterms 1 % 35
Final 1 % 45
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 55
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 45
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 13 3 39
Study Hours Out of Class 14 6 84
Midterms 1 3 3
Final 1 3 3
Total Workload 129

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Comprehend the conceptual importance of the game in the field of communication, ability to implement the player centered application to provide design.
2) Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information and ideas from various perspectives.
3) Analyze the key elements that make up specific game genres, forms of interactions, mode of narratives and understand how they are employed effectively to create a successful game.
4) Understand game design theories and methods as well as implement them during game development; to make enjoyable, attractive, instructional and immersive according to the target audience.
5) Understand the technology and computational principles involved in developing games and master the use of game engines.
6) Understand the process of creation and use of 2D and 3D assets and animation for video games.
7) Understand and master the theories and methodologies of understanding and measuring player experience and utilize them during game development process.
8) Comprehend and master how ideas, concepts and topics are conveyed via games followed by the utilization of these aspects during the development process.
9) Manage the game design and development process employing complete documentation; following the full game production pipeline via documentation.
10) Understand and employ the structure and work modes of game development teams; comprehend the responsibilities of team members and collaborations between them while utilizing this knowledge in practice.
11) Understand the process of game publishing within industry standards besides development and utilize this knowledge practice.
12) Pitching a video game to developers, publishers, and players; mastering the art of effectively communicating and marketing the features and commercial potential of new ideas, concepts or games.