AD3045 - Media Genres

What will I learn on this module?

The module develops your understanding of the significance of genre within the production, reception and analysis of screen media. It explores what we understand by the term genre through an analysis of the codes and conventions of major screen types and how said codes and conventions are conveyed through promotional discourse and received by media audiences. It considers how genres change over time according to evolving aesthetic, social, technological and industrial contexts. You will learn about key developments in genre scholarship, and how critical and theoretical approaches can be applied to specific examples. In so doing, you will gain an appreciation of the importance of textual, contextual and critical analysis to an appreciation of screen media production and culture.

How will I learn on this module?

The module is taught by lectures and seminars which are designed to develop your awareness of key critical and historical issues within the study of the genre, and the application of these to specific case-studies. The lectures (two hours) will provide a grounding for the contextual analysis, and will be illustrated by appropriate excerpts from relevant examples across the history of film, television and other types of screen media. The seminars (one hour) are student-led discussions of the issued covered. You will be required to make positive contributions to the learning experience by preparing for class. This will involve undertaking (where appropriate) reading or viewing activities specified on the module’s Electronic Learning Portal Site. The seminar classes are also intended to develop your communication skills and your ability to develop and respond to ideas in a collaborative environment.

You will receive informal feedback by the module tutor during seminars, which will help you to prepare for the summative tasks, and for the requirements of undergraduate study more generally. At key points in the module, there will be information and advice given in lectures and seminars relating to the skills required for assessment preparation, such as textual analysis, argument and structure, research processes, citation of sources and use of quotations, academic language, etc.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

Classes will provide a constructive environment for the enhancement of knowledge and understanding of the subject, preparation for the assessment tasks, and the development of communication skills. Class material (such as Powerpoint slides, links to clips and discussion points) will be accessible via the e-Learning portal, along with supplementary learning material (which may include web links, suggestions for further viewing and reading). A list of key and further reading material will be available on the eLP, and an electronic reading list will link you directly to key sources, allowing you to access them anytime and anywhere. The module will also incorporate assessment preparation discussion, with advice on how to approach the essay tasks. Furthermore, the module tutor will offer set office hours for academic support

In addition, you have a designated Personal Guidance Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Personal Guidance Tutor’s role includes:

• monitoring your ongoing academic progress
• helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development
• directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus)

You are advised to see your Personal Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

1. A familiarity with genre and its applicability to screen media

2. An ability to contextualise media genres in terms of how they are influenced by broader social, institutional and technological changes

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. An ability to articulate, evaluate and apply key issues associated with genre

4. Demonstration of analytical and communication abilities through verbal and written means

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

5. Appreciation of the global and cultural contexts screen media production

How will I be assessed?

The assessment strategy for this module is to encourage you to develop a critically and contextually informed understanding of media genres and to be able to communicate this clearly in written form.

The assessment for this module is a 'Reflective Journal of Genre Criticism’, of 2,000 words, comprising four 500-word entries, each of which assesses core generic tropes of specific case studies from across the module. The final submission must subscribe to the Harvard Referencing style, and be accompanied by a correctly formatted bibliography.

The assessment addresses all of the MLOs relating to knowledge/understanding and intellectual/professional skills, in testing: a familiarity with critical approaches to genre, an ability to contextualise a specific example, an ability to evaluate and apply critical/theoretical issues to a case-study, and an ability to communicate ideas in written form. Submission and receipt of feedback for summative assessment is via Turnitin.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is concerned with the identification and analysis of key genres across screen media, and gives you an understanding of the importance of genre in regards to both media production and analysis. It explores definitions of genre through a series of case-studies, which may include, for example, comedy, crime, horror and others. In studying these indicative examples, you will develop an awareness of the broader contexts shaping media production, the historical background of the case studies discussed, and the importance of close textual analysis to the study of media genres and higher education more broadly. The module is taught by lectures and discussion-based seminars. It is assessed through a reflective journal, in which students engage directly with four genres discussed on the module. The module will prepare you for BA Hons-level study by enhancing your academic skills of research, presentation, critical thinking, citation and independent study.

Course info

UCAS Code P325

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Full Time followed by a further 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Arts

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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