Course Outline

1.  MEDIA CONTENT

1.1 Media Content Analysis-an overview

What is the message?

2.  Mass Media and Violence in Society: Sex and violence in the media

2.1 Theories determining the impact of media on the society

3.  TELEVISION

Formats

-  Magazine shows – Top Billing, Seskhona, Mzansi Insider, Top Shayela

-  Talks shows – Motswako, Noeleen 3Talk, The Talk, Redi on Mzansi Magic

-  Reality Entertainment – Idols, Survivor, Dance Your Butt Off, X-Factor, Wipeout, The Apprentice,

-  Factual / Documentaries (reality) – Khumbulekhaya, Relate, The first 48, Fire in Babylon,

-  Variety -

-  Drama -

-  Movies -

-  Current Affairs -

4. RADIO

·  Research

·  Genres – documentaries, reality, talk, variety, docu-reality, drama, sitcom

·  Storytelling

·  Writing – across mediums, genres and formats

·  Directing – formats, genres, studio v/s location

·  The Look & Feel – graphics, wardrobe, make-up, set dressing & design, art direction – overall footage look

PRODUCTION

·  Pre-production – production planning, design and coordinating,

·  Production – scheduling, wardrobe, budgeting, reporting, invoicing, accounting and managing staff

·  Post-Production – packaging, feedback and closing a production

TECHNICAL

·  Production requirements – as prescribed by the client brief

·  Sound

·  Lighting – grading and style

·  Camera – technical prescriptions, types and shooting style

·  Editing – styles, software and equipment

·  Packaging – video and tape formats

BUSINESS

·  Understanding the Media business

·  Strategizing and crafting a proposal

·  Responding to RFP (Request for Proposals)

·  Client briefs

·  Sponsorships & funding

·  Recruitment

THE BASICS

·  Understanding the Industry (Media – Television, advertising, film, video, events, Public Relations, radio, web & desktop publishing)

·  Understanding the anatomy of a production

CREATIVE

·  Platforms / Mediums – Television, radio, print, film, video, PR, web & desktop publishing

·  Research

·  Genres – documentaries, reality, talk, variety, docu-reality, drama, sitcom

·  Storytelling

·  Writing – across mediums, genres and formats

·  Directing – formats, genres, studio v/s location

·  The Look & Feel – graphics, wardrobe, make-up, set dressing & design, art direction – overall footage look

PRODUCTION

·  Pre-production – production planning, design and coordinating,

·  Production – scheduling, wardrobe, budgeting, reporting, invoicing, accounting and managing staff

·  Post-Production – packaging, feedback and closing a production

TECHNICAL

·  Production requirements – as prescribed by the client brief

·  Sound

·  Lighting – grading and style

·  Camera – technical prescriptions, types and shooting style

·  Editing – styles, software and equipment

·  Packaging – video and tape formats

BUSINESS

·  Understanding the Media business

·  Strategizing and crafting a proposal

·  Responding to RFP (Request for Proposals)

·  Client briefs

·  Sponsorships & funding

·  Recruitment

5.  MEDIA AND POWER

Marketplace of ideas and the public sphere

6.  STEREOTYPES, GENDER AND MEDIA STUDIES

The media’s portrayal of gays and lesbians

7.  MEDIA AND THE PRODUCTION OF MEANING: SEMIOTICS

The History of Semiotics

8.  FEMINIST MEDIA THEORY

9.  The Production of News

“The module is based on more of research than just lecturing. Be geared up for adventurous exploration on theories that have to be studied in this module”.

Learning outcomes / Assessment criteria / Assessment methods / Time Frame
4.  MEDIA CONTENT
·  Media Content Analysis-an overview
o  What is the message? / 2 weeks
5.  Mass Media and Violence in Society: Sex and violence in the media
5.1  Theories determining the impact of media on the society / Week 3
6.  TELEVISION / Week 4 and 5
7.  RADIO / Week 6 and 7
10.  MEDIA AND POWER
Marketplace of ideas and the public sphere / Week 7 and 8
11.  STEREOTYPES, GENDER AND MEDIA STUDIES
The media’s portrayal of gays and lesbians / Week 9
12.  MEDIA AND THE PRODUCTION OF MEANING: SEMIOTICS
The History of Semiotics / Week 10
13.  FEMINIST MEDIA THEORY / Week 11
14.  The Production of News / Week 12

Course Rules and regulations:

Welcome to this course and please take note of the following regulations:

There are many ingredients that may lead you to fail! You will fail if you do not:

·  Attend lectures

·  Submit your activities/assignments on due dates

·  Write your students number correctly on your answer book

·  Follow instructions given to you by the lecturer

Please, learn to write legibly, neatly and avoid silly mistakes (grammatical errors) when writing. You should take responsibility of your own progress.

In addition:

·  Any form of work that bears plagiarism will not be marked!

·  The course has been designed in such a way that there are to be practicals which will contribute to your total mark at the end of the semester. These practicals will be dealt with in soloist set-up (individually) or in groups!

·  There will impromptu tests and assessments in class. This means, they will be conducted at random without notifying the students. We do not study to pass but to equip ourselves for future purposes!

·  You are, therefore, advised to open email accounts as this will help with easier and smooth interaction between the students and the lecturer.

·  Virtual classroom is active for user-friendly interaction. Down-load some notes and activities from the virtual classroom: www.comsci.uzulu.ac.za/

ASSESSMENTS

·  You will write 10 assessments (multiple assignments/research based questions and practical one) and ONE formal examination!

·  Dates of assignments and assessments are provided in advance so that you have adequate study and preparation time. If you miss an assignment deadline, your assignment will not be accepted and you will be given a ZERO. Speak to your lecturer before the assignment is due and not on the due date.

·  Assignments must be typed.

·  Font size is 12, Arial/Times New Roman.

·  Use 1, 5 spacing, justify your assignments.

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Cautions

Apply the 13th Commandment: “Thou shalt make a backup” (of your essay). Late submission because a disc became corrupted or lost is not a valid excuse.

Plagiarism is a disciplinary and a criminal offence! Plagiarism is the stealing of other people’s ideas, sentences and some in instances their specific use of particular words and phrases, without adequate citation. Where an essay relies overmuch on a single source, this can under certain conditions also transgress the legality of laws on copyright.

Proof-read your work thoroughly before handing in your assignment.