Media and society

If you are curious about how media influences society and want to learn through debates, creative projects, and real-world case studies, then this course is for you. Students will:

• Go beyond the classroom: Take a field trip to the Barber Institute to explore art as a medium.
• Create and share: Experiment with photography techniques and showcase your work.
• Analyse real media: Break down advertisements through semiotics and discuss their global representations.
• Watch and reflect: Participate in a film screening followed by a critical discussion on social issues.
• Get creative with tech: Design your own digital art using AI tools.
• Collaborate and present: Work in groups to deliver presentations that synthesise your learning.

• The media and you: Understand what media is and how it shapes personal and social identities.
• Media through time: Trace the evolution of media from early communication to social media.
• Sociological perspectives: Examine key theories such as Marxism, feminism, and postmodernism.
• Power and representation: Discover who controls media and how stories shape democracy.
• Digital media today: Debate the impact of citizen journalism, deepfakes, and online relationships.
• Audience engagement: Explore whether audiences are passive consumers or active creators.
• Engage with key debates: Understand how the media influences culture, identity, and social structures.
• Explore diversity: Analyse media representations of gender, race, and class.
• Develop transferable skills: Build confidence in teamwork, communication, and public speaking.
• Learn from experts: Delivered by academics from the University of Birmingham’s Birmingham International Academy.

By the end of the course, you will:

• Explain key sociological discussions and debates around media.
• Evaluate media representations of gender, race, and class.
• Develop critical thinking and collaborative skills valued by employers worldwide.

This programme is designed for international students seeking an introduction to UK academic life. Beyond the classroom, participants will enjoy a vibrant social programme, including cultural visits and networking events, creating an unforgettable experience of studying in Birmingham.

• International students aged 18+ and studying at an undergraduate level.
• Meet the BISS entry requirements for English Language Proficiency (minimum B2, aiming for C1).

BISS entry requirements

At the end of the programme, there will be a formal assessment consisting of a group presentation.

A pass requires a minimum of 40% in combination with a minimum attendance of 90% of timetabled activities.

Please check with your home institution regarding transfer recognition of credits.