School of English
Module manager: Professor Fiona Douglas
Email: f.m.douglas@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
Experience of language study at school or university, including English language or foreign languages.
| ENGL3491 | Language of the Media |
ENGL32167
This module is approved as a discovery module
This module will enable you to analyse and evaluate the language of the media in its many guises. It will consider the ways in which language is used by key media outlets such as the press, advertising, TV and radio broadcasts, and also in specific types of media text such as the news report, the political interview; the feature article, the news story or the editorial. We will look at a range of salient issues such as the role of the media as an authority in society and the consensual relationship that exists between the media and its target audience. The module will have a strong emphasis on the linguistic analysis of real media texts. 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.
By the end of the module students will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of media language and how it is constructed linguistically. They will be able to compare, contrast and evaluate different media representations of the same news story, understanding the influence of the intended audience/reader, surrounding context, and genre.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Identify and describe the characteristics of media language, and how it varies by context, intended audience, genre.
2. Apply relevant theoretical frameworks and methods from within linguistics to analyse the language of the media.
3. Analyse and evaluate media language and relate their findings to real world contexts, such as political affiliation or ideological perspective.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
1. Use digital tools effectively to communicate complex information.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of knowledge drawn from complex debates.
3. Communicate ideas effectively in speech and writing.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Practical | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students will have preparatory tasks for each seminar, with formative feedback provided from staff and peers for each session. Students will receive formative feedback from their tutor and peers on their conference presentation, which is WIP for the final written assignment.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Assignment | 70 |
| Coursework | Presentation | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 31/03/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team