SCME3007 Kids' Media Cultures

2020

4.5

1 x 3-hour seminar weekly

9 units of second level SCME, SCRN or MDIA topics

SCRN3007 has been successfully completed

This topic engages students in the study of children's media cultures as consumer culture in three modules. We begin by asking "What is childhood?" to gain an understanding of childhood(s) in its cultural and historical specificity. It concludes by looking at the historical development of "children's media". The second module examines a range of children's media (literature, comic books, television, film, and toys) in terms of markets and marketing. The third module examines education, media, and marketing as they intersect in formal schooling, educational media, and entertainment. Readings, lectures, discussions, screenings and student presentations will explore approaches to policy, regulation, education, and practices of media production and marketing.

This topic aims to:

• explore the complexity behind the idea of "children's media"

• develop in students a critical view of the relationships between children, media and education

• gain an understanding of how the children's media market is developed, maintained and addressed

• offer a framework for and practice in independent research

On completing this topic students will be able to:

• express, in oral and written forms, an understanding of the key concepts presented in the topic

• demonstrate a critical understanding of how ideologies of childhood inform media regulation, production and consumer practices

• demonstrate critical reflection on the history of children's media