This module will perform a theoretically informed critical analysis of a contemporary applied communication case study. The analysis will examine the communication strategies employed by two successful PR organisation: Madonna and Lady Gaga. To do so, the module will utilise four different perspectives based on relevant theoretical approaches:
- communication as structure
- communication as ritual
- communication as performance
- communication as a discourse
For each approach, the module will ask the following questions:
- How the chosen organisations use communication strategies and techniques
- What type of structures underlie said communication
- How the chosen organisations use the media
- How the chosen organisations influence and are influenced by contemporary culture
Lectures
01. Introduction
02. Communication as Structure – first part
03. Communication as Structure – second part
04. Communication as Ritual – first part
05. Communication as Ritual – second part
06. Communication as Performance – first part
07. Communication as Performance – second part
08. Communication as Discourse – first part
09. Communication as Discourse – second part
10. Student Presentations
11 and 12. Individual Tutorials
Final Assessment
Coursework 1
(Group presentation) 50%
As a group, choose two celebrities. Compare and contrast their communication strategies.
Coursework 2
(2.000 words essay) 50%
Pick one celebrity of your choice. Choose one of the four theoretical approaches covered in class. Using these theories, perform an analysis of your celebrity’s communication strategy.
Resources
- Moodle http://moodle.coventry.ac.uk
- Library http://ils.coventry.ac.uk/
- Google Scholar http://scholar.google.com
- Centre for Academic Writing http://www.coventry.ac.uk/caw/
- Harvard Reference System http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/caw/cuhrs/Pages/CUHarvardReferenceStyle.aspx
- academic good practices http://moodle.coventry.ac.uk/uni/course/view.php?id=313
Announcements
Coventry University Open Media Research Seminars
When: 12:15-1:15pm on selected Tuesdays in October and November
Where: ET 130 (Ellen Terry Building)
October 23rd: Nathaniel Tkacz (University of Warwick) – ‘From Flame Wars to Frame Wars: The Structure of Conflict in Networks’ (Read More)
November 13th: Matt Johnston (Coventry University) – ‘Online/Offline: How Digital Media Facilitates and Encourages the Generative Experience’ (Read More)
November 20th: Caroline Bassett (University of Sussex) – ‘Silence, Delirium, Lies: An Uncoded Response to Social Media’ (Read More)
November 27th: Eva Weinmayr and Lynn Harris (AND) – ‘Men Meets Machine’ (Read More)
Mafalda Stasi 