Media Studies

Essay # 45305

Media Studies

This paper explains media studies as a complex subject incorporating many different aspects of socially defined relationships.

968 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2003 United Kingdom

Paper Summary:

This is an exploration into the four main conceptions based around media studies and the media as a whole. The four conceptions are transformations - the theory based on communication; institutions - the various groups formed within or by the media; forms - the reality aspect of the media and audiences - that which the media gains. The writer looks at the works of Raymond Williams and other theorists for examples of each.

From the Paper:

"Communication is the main trend within different media institutions. Transformations are key to our perceptions about the media. They are forms of communication such as face-to-face communication where a conversation could be taking place but the participants of the conversation are sharing the same space and time. This has advantages because it is easy to see the mood of the person you may be conversing with due to the body language and facial expression that might be used. It also needs more interaction. Secondly, there is mediated interaction. This would incorporate telephone conversations, post and e-mail. These are forms of communication where we would have the expectation of a response. The advantages here are that the people within the acts of communication do not necessarily have to be the same time or space. The media itself is mainly concerned with mediated quasi interaction. This is communication where the communicator is relaying information but is not expecting a response such as television, newspapers and radio, where the programmes or articles are aimed at entertaining or providing information but not expecting a response form the public who are listening, reading or watching. The advantages of this are that it is a simple quick way of relaying information or entertaining and there is not necessarily any need for a response."