Media and the Environment

Code

CULT3043

School

Cultural, Media and Visual Studies

Level

3

Credits

20

Semesters

Spring UK

Summary

The module aims to enable students to consider a variety of ways in which the ecological crisis intersects with aspects of media production, content, and consumption. There is growing consensus that the climate and ecological crisis, including climate change, resource scarcity, and loss of biodiversity, is the most pressing concern facing all of humanity today. The module presents a series of case studies around issues of the media’s impact on this emergency. Through these case studies students will draw on perspectives and knowledges from their degree as lenses through which to understand the role of the media in both exacerbating environmental issues, and potentially offering ways forward for a more sustainable society. Some examples include (but are not limited to): environmental impact of the media industries; e-waste and the material impacts of digital technologies; reporting the climate crisis; social media and environmental activism; environmental regulation and green media initiatives in the UK; the impact of nature media such as the BBC Planet documentaries. The module may include additional special activities such as a visit to an e-waste recycling facility, and carbon footprint training from the BBC Albert initiative. 

Target Students

Only available for students on Film and Television Studies, International Media and Communication Studies and Liberal Arts.

Classes

• One 2-hour workshop each week for 4 weeks
• One 2-hour workshop each week for 5 weeks
• One 1-hour lecture each week for 5 weeks

Weeks 1-5 a 1-hour lecture + 2-hour workshop Weeks 7-10 a 2-hour workshop;

Assessment

• 40% Presentation: Group project presentation -15 minutes plus 5 minute Q and A
• 60% Coursework 1: 2,000 individual report

Assessed by end of spring semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding of:  
1) the environmental impact and challenges of media industries, 
2) narratives of ecological crisis and protest in the media, 
3) the practices of environmental communication and campaigning, 
4) the intersection of media technologies and environmental activism  

Intellectual skills: 
1) thinking critically and imaginatively about the subject matter 
2) interpreting primary and secondary sources about the subject matter 
3) engaging with key environmental challenges of media production 
4) engaging with the key problems and potentials of environmental communication and campaigning. 

Professional Practical Skills: 
1) sifting and synthesising information from a range of sources 
2) identifying, comparing and evaluating key arguments in these materials 
3) presenting reasoned arguments using appropriate conventions 

Transferable Skills: 
1) managing a large body of information 
2) the ability to communicate effectively in writing 
3) increased confidence in oral communication 
4) managing and taking responsibility for one's own time and learning 
5) presenting written work in an appropriate manner. 

Conveners

• Dr Leora Hadas