University of Galway

Course Module Information

Course Modules

Semester 1 | Credits: 10

This module will introduce you to contemporary issues that shape the Irish and international media landscape, such as ownership, the UK press post Leveson, the Irish Press Council and media regulation generally. The ethics portion of this module will act as a roadmap to guide you through the cross-section of ethical and professional issues that impact on journalists in contemporary media.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Develop an understanding of global issues of concern to the media including the role of the media in democracy, and pressures on that function including ownership, press-power relationships and moral decay
  2. Acquire knowledge of legal and regulatory issues in media such as media law and defamation, freedom of information, copyright and court practices.
  3. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical principles in media and develop a personal ethical 'compass'
  4. Show an awareness of the recent history of media ethical debates including partisanship in political coverage, the Leveson inquiry in the UK and misogyny and gender issues.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
Reading List
  1. "Media Ethics" by Clifford G. Christians,Mark Fackler,Kathy Brittain Richardson,Robert H. Woods,Peggy Kreshel
    ISBN: 9780205897742.
  2. "Manufacturing Consent" by Edward S. Herman,Noam Chomsky
    ISBN: 9780099533115.
    Publisher: Random House
  3. "Media Law in Ireland" by Eoin Carolan,Ailbhe O'Neill
    ISBN: 9781784518004.
    Publisher: Bloomsbury Professional
  4. "Media Performance" by Denis McQuail
    ISBN: 9780803982956.
    Publisher: SAGE Publications Limited
  5. "Media Ethics" by Patrick Lee Plaisance
    ISBN: 9781412956857.
    Publisher: SAGE
The above information outlines module DJ6127: "Global Media and Society" and is valid from 2022 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.