MEVIT2615 – Framing the environment in media and communication studies

Schedule, syllabus and examination date

Course content

This course is part of the transdisciplinary 40-credit group Environmental Studies - Historical, Cultural and Societal Perspectives (40ENVIRONMENT)

Read more about the course group and see the other courses associated with it.

Climate change is the most serious issue facing us today. Film, media, politics, and corporations all have a powerful role in communicating the urgency of the ecological crisis.

In this course we will work together to gain an overview of the complex relationship between media and the environment with a focus on UN's sustainability goals regarding "responsible production and consumption" and "climate action".

We develop vital skills in environmental media literacy by engaging with media representations of ecological problems. We discuss how corporations communicate about their climate goals and pay attention to resistant publics, activist groups and indigenous communities whose voices on these issues have been historically marginalised.

We discuss how the media present the problem of, and potential solutions to, the climate crisis, while also exploring how media toxicity is part of the problem.? After all, media, smartphones and the internet appear to be "clean and green" but are industrial products, which can be toxic and have a substantial ecological footprint.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you will

Knowledge

  • have an understanding of sustainability issues in media and communication
  • understand the history of media sustainability issues
  • be familiar with literature, sources and methods for analysing media and sustainability

Skills

  • be able to critically reflect on the contribution of media and communication to the climate crisis
  • be able to apply academic knowledge to practical problems concerning media and the climate crisis
  • be able to analyse strategies, data, and a variety of sources pertaining to media and climate change

General competence

  • have acquired teamwork skills
  • be able to plan and carry out academic assignments and complete them within the defined time frame
  • be able to debate and exchange opinions and arguments with others and present ideas orally
  • have relevant workplace skills through a project involving problem solving with industry professionals or producing an audio or audio-visual production

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at