ENG4508 – A Social History of the Media in Twentieth Century Britain
Course content
This course will explore the social history of the media in twentieth-century Britain, a period in which both the media and British society witnessed profound change. We will examine different forms of media, but will also embed them into broader social, cultural and political contexts throughout the century. We will examine the ways in which the media both shaped and was shaped by British society. We will use the media as a means of exploring key themes including: national identity; regional and local identities; consumerism; gender; sexuality; race; class; moral panics; and popular culture.
The media remains a central element of life in contemporary Britain, and its role and impact are hotly debated, from notions of bias, balance, and accuracy in news coverage to its political impacts, and from the status of public broadcasters like the BBC and Channel 4 to the impact of the internet on British culture and individual behaviour. This course will equip you with a clear understanding: of how the media system evolved throughout the twentieth century; of similarities, differences and continuities across different forms of media; of the social and cultural impacts of the media; and of useful ways to think about and assess the nature and impact of the media in Britain, and beyond.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you will:
- have acquired an understanding of useful ways to think about the media, of how to research media history?and of how to engage with the media items as historical artefacts.
- have developed the ability to utilise the relevant scholarly literature to critically assess the main interpretations of the impact of the media on British, society, culture and politics.
- have developed the ability to use a range of primary and secondary sources as a historian to produce informed and coherent arguments in written and oral form.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Teaching
Seminars, 2 hours per week for 10 weeks.
Obligatory activities:
- There will be two obligatory seminar-based activities, which students will have to do a small amount of preparatory work for in advance.?Read more here about rules concerning valid excuses and how to apply for postponements.?
- It is obligatory to show up for a minimum of 60% of the teaching. In this course you have to attend 6 of 10 seminars. The requirement is absolute.
The allowed absence limit will cover all absences, including illness. You will not be granted valid absences with documentation, even when the absence is due to something beyond your control.
If the course has in-person teaching, and you are signed up for an in-person seminar group, you are to attend the teaching in the location found in the schedule.
If the course has digital teaching, and you are signed up for a digital seminar group, you must attend via Zoom with your camera on.
In certain circumstances, i.e. serious or chronic illness, you could apply for?special needs accommodations.
Fulfilled course requirements are only valid the semester you attend the course.
Examination
The final grade is set on the basis of a portfolio exam. This consists of:
- A primary source analysis (3 standard pages à 2,300 characters (+/- 10%))
- A written term paper (9 standard pages à 2,300 characters (+/- 10%))
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F?is a fail. Read more about?the grading system.
Resit an examination
A porfolio or equivalent that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
If you?withdraw from the exam?after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.