Module manager: Leslie Meier
Email: L.Meier@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module is designed to examine critical theories and approaches relevant to the study of media and social justice. Drawing on media and communication studies and other disciplines, it considers the social justice implications of the roles of media in culture and social life. This may involve exploration of scholarly debates regarding media industries and capitalism; consumerism and the ‘good life’; environmental degradation and climate justice; ‘race’/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and intersections between these and other identities; and activism, solidarity, and social change. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module aims to facilitate understanding of and reflection on the social justice implications of media, drawing on theories from media and communication studies and other disciplines. Through a combination of lectures, required readings, and seminar activities, students will examine critical theories, approaches, and scholarly debates regarding power structures in society that contribute to social inequality and inequity, and the role of media in reproducing or challenging injustices.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
1. Recognise and explain theories relevant to the study of media and social justice
2. Apply and examine critical theories in the analysis of contemporary media examples
3. Critically reflect on the social justice implications of media technologies, texts, industries, and/or cultures
4. Appraise scholarly debates and critiques regarding media and social justice
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Effectively communicate understanding of and reflection on complex ideas, issues, arguments, and critiques.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1.5 | 15 |
| Seminar | 9 | 1 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 176 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 24 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Participation in weekly seminar discussions and activities provides opportunities for formative feedback, directly supporting student understanding and progress on portfolio tasks. Seminars also provide opportunities for advice and formative feedback on essay ideas.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay | 70 |
| Coursework | Portfolio | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 12/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team