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1- Instruction
This course is delivered through weekly interactive seminars combining lectures, discussions, and workshops with autonomous guided study. 2- Course Rationale and Aims Conceptual Foundations of Media and Communication Studies is a master’s level course that aims to provide a systematic conceptual introduction to the Media and Communication Studies field by focusing on foundational concepts and central dichotomies that organise theoretical thinking in the field. The course aims to: § Familiarise students with the core conceptual vocabulary of media and communication studies; § Situate key concepts within broader sociological, cultural, and political debates; § Examine how conceptual dichotomies structure theoretical arguments and empirical research; § Develop students’ ability to critically apply concepts to contemporary media practices, texts, and institutions. The conceptual architecture of the course departs from a historical survey of theories. Instead, it adopts a “dichotomy-based” pedagogy emphasising conceptual tensions, juxtapositions, and debates that continue to shape how media, communication, and power are understood today. Poslední úprava: Dağdelen Mazlum Kemal, Ph.D. (16.02.2026)
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The assessment strategy focuses on continuous engagement and the scaffolding of research skills. The course distributes grades across five distinct components.
Participation & Engagement The student are expected to actively participate in the sessions, engage critically with the discussion (asks questions, challenges assumptions, connects ideas) and demonstrate familiarity with key concepts. Weekly Concept Briefs Students are required to submit short concept briefs of up to 200 words responding to the core concept or dichotomy addressed in that week’s session excluding Week 1 and Week 13. Final Conceptual Essay The final essay requires students to develop a sustained conceptual argument centred on one major dichotomy discussed in the course, or on a critical interrogation of the use of dichotomies in media and communication studies more broadly. The length of the final conceptual essay is up to 1500 words and it is submitted four weeks after the completion of the course. Evaluation and Grading Students must attempt all written assessments, and attend at least 11 out of 13 sessions, in order to be eligible to pass the course.
Poslední úprava: Dağdelen Mazlum Kemal, Ph.D. (16.02.2026)
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Reading List Core texts Cammaerts, B. (2026). Dichotomies in media and communication theory. Forthcoming. Corner, J. (2011). Theorising media: Power, form and subjectivity. Manchester University Press. Hall, S. (Ed.). (1997). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. SAGE / Open University. Hartley, J. (2011). Communication, cultural and media studies: The key concepts (3rd ed.). Routledge. Jenks, C. (Ed.). (1998). Core sociological dichotomies. SAGE. Jones, P., & Holmes, D. (2011). Key concepts in media and communications. SAGE. Littlejohn, S. W., Foss, K. A., & Oetzel, J. G. (2021). Theories of human communication (11th ed.). Waveland Press. McLuhan, M. (1964). Understanding media: The extensions of man. McGraw-Hill. McQuail, D. (2010). McQuail’s mass communication theory (6th ed.). SAGE. Silverstone, R. (1999). Why study the media? SAGE. Ouellette, L., & Gray, J. (Eds.). (2017). Keywords for media studies. New York University Press. Supplementary and suggested readings Hodkinson, P. (2017). Media, culture and society: An introduction. SAGE Publications. Longhurst, B., Smith, G., Bagnall, G., & Crawford, G. (2017). Introducing cultural studies (2nd ed.). Routledge. Academic writing and integrity Foltýnek, T., Meuschke, N., Gipp, B., & others. (2020). How to avoid plagiarism: Student handbook. Charles University, Karolinum Press. Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Harlow, England: Pearson. Poslední úprava: Dağdelen Mazlum Kemal, Ph.D. (16.02.2026)
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Course Policies on Academic Integrity Attendance Regular attendance is expected. More than two unexcused absences may negatively affect the participation grade. Absences due to illness or serious reasons must be documented. Plagiarism The course operates under a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism, defined by Dean’s Provision No. 18/2015. All submitted work must comply with the University’s academic integrity and plagiarism policies. Proper citation and referencing of all sources is mandatory. Students are advised to consult the student handbook on How to avoid plagiarism (Foltýnek et al., 2020). Use of AI Students are permitted to use AI tools to a limited degree as an aid for language and grammar correction. AI-generated content must not replace original thought, analysis, or critical engagement with course materials, so, AI may not be used to generate the core arguments, analysis, or text of the assignments. The intellectual labour must be the student’s own. If AI tools are used, students must: i. Critically review and edit any AI-generated content to ensure accuracy, coherence, and academic integrity. ii. Acknowledge AI assistance by including the following (or similar) statement: This text was created with limited assistance from AI tools [please specify]. After using this tool/service, I reviewed and edited the content as necessary and take full responsibility for the final version of this submission. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in academic penalties in accordance with University policy. Poslední úprava: Dağdelen Mazlum Kemal, Ph.D. (16.02.2026)
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Course Structure The curriculum is divided into two thematic blocks. Block I establishes the core/theoretical vocabulary and Block II explores the core dichotomies of the field. Introduction Week 1 (17 Feb): Introduction to the course - Course logistics, definitions, and the framework. Block 1: Core Concepts Week 2 (24 Feb): Media / Medium Deconstructing the term “media” and discussing the medium theories. Week 3 (3 Mar): Communication(s) Distinguishing communication and communications as objects of study, and discussing mass communication. Week 4 (10 Mar): Power Exploration of how power operates through, in, and around media and communication. Engagement with symbolic, structural, discursive, and cultural conceptions of power. Week 5 (17 Mar): Discourse Introduction to discourse as a key analytical concept linking language, meaning, knowledge, and power. Discussion of discourse in relation to media texts, practices, and institutions. Block 2: Core Dichotomies Week 6 (24 Mar): Private / Public Analysis of the shifting boundaries between private and public spheres in media societies. Week 7 (31 Mar): Production / Reception Examination of media production and reception as distinct yet interconnected processes. Discussion of audience agency, interpretation, and power. Week 8 (7 Apr): Material / Symbolic Exploration of the relationship the material and symbolic. Week 9 (14 Apr): Mainstream / Alternative Discussion on the distinctions between mainstream and alternative media. Week 10 (21 Apr): Control / Freedom Analysis of regulation, governance, and surveillance alongside claims to freedom and autonomy. Week 11 (28 Apr): Virtual / Real Critical examination of the virtual/real distinction in digital and networked media. Week 12 (5 May): Image / Text Exploration of visual and textual modes of communication and their interactions. Consideration of multimodality, representation, and meaning-making. Conclusion Week 13 (12 May): Synthesis Synthesis of key concepts and dichotomies discussed throughout the course. Poslední úprava: Dağdelen Mazlum Kemal, Ph.D. (16.02.2026)
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Learning Outcomes By the end of the course, students will be able to: § Demonstrate a clear understanding of key concepts in media and communication studies. § Explain and critically evaluate major conceptual dichotomies structuring the field. § Situate media and communication concepts within wider sociological and cultural theory. § Apply theoretical concepts to the analysis of contemporary media texts, practices, and institutions. § Develop coherent, conceptually grounded arguments in written academic work. Poslední úprava: Dağdelen Mazlum Kemal, Ph.D. (16.02.2026)
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