Film Studies
Mass Media and Democracy
An all-levels course examining how mass media, digital technologies and systems of power have shaped democratic participation.
Choose a date before booking
Upcoming classes
1 class
About this course
The course traces the development of mass media from Hollywood’s rise as a corporate industry to contemporary digital platforms. It considers public relations, advertising, propaganda, media consolidation and deregulation, alongside theories of ideology, discipline and consent from writers including Foucault, Chomsky, Herman, Deleuze and Zuboff. Teaching combines presentations, readings, film extracts and class discussion. Topics include surveillance capitalism, data extraction, algorithms, disinformation and the effects of digital infrastructures on democratic life.
What you'll learn
- Explain the historical development and political functions of mass media industries.
- Compare theoretical approaches to media, power, ideology and social control.
- Evaluate how surveillance capitalism and digital infrastructures affect democracy.
- Assess challenges and possibilities for democratic participation in a media-saturated environment.
Is this course right for you?
The course is suitable for learners at all levels and does not require particular skills. It is intended for people with an interest in media, history and culture, with participation centred on discussions of presentations, readings and film extracts.
- No particular skills are required.
- Suitable for all levels.
- Class participation includes discussion of theoretical and political questions.
Before you go
- Film extracts and reading materials are provided.
- Learners do not need to obtain the films shown in class.