Module manager: Sophie Bishop
Email: S.H.Bishop@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester invalid View Timetable
Year running
COMM3750 New Media and the Communications Industries
This module is not approved as an Elective
This module studies the governance of the internet by stakeholders such as regulators, policymakers and non-government organisations. In addition, we examine how social life is governed by the internet within an increasingly digital world.
This module is designed to examine digital governance and the changing regulatory, legal, and ethical frameworks surrounding new media. Over the course of the semester, you will cover a number of key contemporary issues and debates, related to the governance of digital cultures – in addition to the ways that social and cultural life are increasingly governed by digital cultures. The aim is to introduce you to the key developments and debates in these areas while also providing you with the critical tools with which to analyse and normatively evaluate them.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1.Describe key aspects of the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks relevant to new media.
2. Describe key aspects of the ways software, platforms, apps and other online arcitectures govern and regulate their users.
3. Demonstrate understanding of key concepts and principles related to the governance of the internet, and governance within digital environments.
4. Apply key concepts and principles in the analysis of current debates and issues relevant to new media governance .
5. .Synthesise complex ideas in the form of an essay
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
6. Critical intelligence, relating to online governance, regulations and government communications.
7. Independent thinking, related to technological harms and ethics.
8. Reflection on own learning, relating to internet governance and how this relates to wider topics discussed within the degree programme and beyond.
This module examines the changing legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks surrounding new media production, distribution, and consumption. It critically analyzes how industries and public authorities are responding to the governance issues and regulatory challenges new media presents and how they are seeking to influence its future direction and shape. This module also looks at the forms of governance undertaken within digital culture – for example content moderation, representation and inclusion. This module examines the impact of digital governance on social and cultural life – topics include privacy, misinformation, advertising, influencers, sex and content moderation.
The aim is to familiarize students with policy developments and debates in these areas while also providing them with the critical tools with which to analyze and normatively evaluate them. Moreover, this module aims to understand how social media platforms govern social
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Independent online learning hours | 180 | ||
| Private study hours | 0 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Student progress is monitored by participation in seminars. The first assignment provides a key assessment opportunity and will allow student support to be provided in good time for the final essay submission. Students are encouraged to attend office hours for further updates on progress and formative feedback.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay plan | 30 |
| Essay | Final essay | 70 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Use this field for any additional information about coursework assessment not included in the table above, and also for details of any alternate resit formats available.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 30/04/2025
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