180.800 (21W) Media and Communication Theories

Wintersemester 2021/22

Registration deadline has expired.

First course session
11.10.2021 14:00 - 18:00 online Off Campus
... no further dates known

Overview

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it may be necessary to make changes to courses and examinations at short notice (e.g. cancellation of attendance-based courses and switching to online examinations).

For further information regarding teaching on campus, please visit: https://www.aau.at/en/corona.
Lecturer
Course title german Media and Communication Theories
Type Lecture
Course model Online course
Hours per Week 2.0
ECTS credits 4.0
Registrations 81
Organisational unit
Language of instruction English
Course begins on 11.10.2021
eLearning Go to Moodle course

Time and place

Please note that the currently displayed dates may be subject to change due to COVID-19 measures.
List of events is loading...

Course Information

Intended learning outcomes

Basic knowledge of central theories of media & communications

Basic knowledge of media & communications studies

Teaching methodology including the use of eLearning tools

Lecture, discussion, group work

Course content

What is communication? What are media? This course introduces central theories, approaches and research fields of media and communications studies. It will deal with theories and approaches to media production, media texts, media use and media influence. The course covers early communications research in the 1920s embedded in ideas of a mass society and grounded in propaganda research to recent discussions on media convergence and digital culture in a global network society. 

Topics include:

  • Introduction to basic concepts: media, communication, theories and models
  • From Media Effects to Media Use: Chain of Communication, Two-Step-Flow, Agenda Setting, Spiral of Silence, Uses & Gratifications
  • Interpersonal and Public Communication: Symbolic Interactionism, Theory of Communicative Action and the Public Sphere
  • Medium Theory and Toronto School of Communication
  • Critical Media Studies: From Frankfurt School to the Centre of Contemporary Cultural Studies Birmingham
  • Media Representations: Semiotics and Active Audience Approach
  • Convergence Media and Digital Culture

Prior knowledge expected

none

Curricular registration requirements

none

Literature

Laughey, Dan (2008). Key Themes in Media Theory. Maidenhead: McGraw Hill, Open University Press.

McQuail,Denis (2001). McQuail's Mass Communication Theory. 4. ed. London/Thousand Oaks/New Dehli: Sage.

McQuail,Denis (ed.) (2002). McQuail's Reader in Mass Communication Theory. London/Thousand Oaks/New Dehli: Sage.

Silverstone, Roger (1999). Why Study Media? London/Thousand Oaks/New Dehli: Sage.

Examination information

Im Fall von online durchgeführten Prüfungen sind die Standards zu beachten, die die technischen Geräte der Studierenden erfüllen müssen, um an diesen Prüfungen teilnehmen zu können.

Modified examination information (exceptional COVID-19 provisions)

depending on Covid-19 situation: online take home exam

Examination methodology

exam with open and multiple choice questions (1 hour)

Examination topic(s)

lecture topics (see above)

Assessment criteria / Standards of assessment for examinations

88-100 % = 1 = A

76-87 % = 2 = B

63-75 % = 3 = C

51-62 % = 4 = D

below 50 % = 5 = nicht bestanden = Fail

Grading scheme

Grade / Grade grading scheme

Position in the curriculum

  • Bachelor's degree programme Applied Cultural Studies (SKZ: 642, Version: 16W.2)
    • Subject: Theorien und Methoden der Kulturwissenschaft (Compulsory subject)
      • Vorlesung zu Theorien der Kulturwissenschaften ( 0.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
        • 180.800 Media and Communication Theories (2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 3., 4., 5., 6. Semester empfohlen
  • Master's degree programme Media and Convergence Management (SKZ: 150, Version: 13W.2)
    • Subject: Complementary Subject I (Compulsory subject)
      • Media and Communication Theories ( 2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
        • 180.800 Media and Communication Theories (2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 1. Semester empfohlen
  • Master's degree programme Game Studies and Engineering (SKZ: 992, Version: 17W.2)
    • Subject: Cultural and Media Skills (Compulsory subject)
      • Introduction to Media and Communication Theory ( 0.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
        • 180.800 Media and Communication Theories (2.0h VO / 4.0 ECTS)
          Absolvierung im 1. Semester empfohlen

Equivalent courses for counting the examination attempts

Wintersemester 2023/24
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2022/23
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2020/21
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2019/20
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2018/19
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2017/18
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2016/17
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2015/16
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2014/15
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)
Wintersemester 2013/14
  • 180.800 VO Media and Communication Theories (2.0h / 4.0ECTS)