NMD4102 Political Economy of MediaBahçeşehir UniversityDegree Programs ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERINGGeneral Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational QualificationsBologna Commission
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
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 Fall 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) Adequate knowledge in mathematics, science and electric-electronic engineering subjects; ability to use theoretical and applied information in these areas to model and solve engineering problems.
2) Ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; ability to select and apply proper analysis and modeling methods for this purpose.
3) Ability to design a complex system, process, device or product under realistic constraints and conditions, in such a way as to meet the desired result; ability to apply modern design methods for this purpose. (Realistic constraints and conditions may include factors such as economic and environmental issues, sustainability, manufacturability, ethics, health, safety issues, and social and political issues, according to the nature of the design.)
4) Ability to devise, select, and use modern techniques and tools needed for electrical-electronic engineering practice; ability to employ information technologies effectively.
5) Ability to design and conduct experiments, gather data, analyze and interpret results for investigating engineering problems.
6) Ability to work efficiently in intra-disciplinary and multi-disciplinary teams; ability to work individually.
7) Ability to communicate effectively in English and Turkish (if he/she is a Turkish citizen), both orally and in writing.
8) Recognition of the need for lifelong learning; ability to access information, to follow developments in science and technology, and to continue to educate him/herself.
9) Awareness of professional and ethical responsibility.
10) Information about business life practices such as project management, risk management, and change management; awareness of entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable development.
11) Knowledge about contemporary issues and the global and societal effects of engineering practices on health, environment, and safety; awareness of the legal consequences of engineering solutions.