[ecrea] Media Analysis Techniques Summer School at Maastricht University

Leonhardt van Efferink (Royal Holloway, University of London; University of Amsterdam) will be convening a Media Analysis Techniques Summer School at Maastricht University from 7 until 11 July 2014. Below you find course description, relevance and objectives, as well as literature suggestions. The full course introduction can be read herehttp://www.geomeans.com/media-analysis-techniques-summer-school-at-maastricht-university/, where you can also download the pdf flyer and find contact details.

Description
The Media Analysis Techniques Summer School has a highly interactive character, with a focus on the possible meanings of media coverage. The module offers two lectures, two workshops and two sessions with presentations by the students. It also involves an individual and a group assignment. Research methods are explained in an accessible way, before students use them to analyse (online) texts, images and/or video footage.

Relevance
The knowledge that we have of many countries, themes and people largely depends on what media show and tell us. This raises questions about the role in this regard of media industry, media technology and media users. Their interests, interactions and independence are key factors if we want to fully understand the role of media in our societies. While various newspapers, TV stations and journalists claim to be neutral, others argue that all media are biased. Therefore, the ability to independently assess media representations is nowadays a valuable asset.

Objectives
The Media Analysis Techniques Summer School teaches students to
(1) apply methods such as critical discourse analysis, social semiotics and framing analysis to examine the possible meanings of media coverage
(2) become familiar with the complex dynamics between media producers, media technology and media consumers
(3) link media coverage to political, social and economic interests
(4) understand the role of the national context in which media operate.

Literature
(1) “Media Analysis Techniques” by Arthur Asa Berger, SAGE, 2012
(2) “Media Semiotics. An Introduction” by Jonathan Bignell, Manchester University Press, 2002
(3) “Language in the News. Discourse and Ideology in the Press” by Roger Fowler, Routledge, 1991
(4) “Media, Culture and Society. An Introduction” by Paul Hodkinson, SAGE, 2011
(5) “Analysing Newspapers. An approach from Critical Discours Analysis” by John Richardson, Palgrave, 2007

Summer School in a Nutshell
Period: 7 until 11 July 2014
Preferred pre-knowledge: strong interest in (foreign) news
Exam: individual paper assignment (2,000 words) and group project (500 words per student)
Number of participants: between 10 and 20
ECTS: 3
Course fee: €450


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