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Media studies - why the hate?
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i am a duck
Why is there such a negative perception of this subject?
I've written about this, quite extensively, on TSR before, and there have been several long (and heated) threads. I am not disuading you from asking, merely informing you that some very interesting conversations and opinions have already been made.
I believe that much of the public demonisation of Media Studies is a function of misrepresentation; the press often communicate it as 'television studies' or, more particularly, 'soap opera studies' (the Mail et al are famous for this). This represents, firstly, the reaction of an educational elite threatened by the number of students taking (what they percieve as) 'easy degrees' and thus 'inflating the employment sector'. These are the same ambiguous fears that wrack issues concerning immigration (that jobs will be 'stolen'). In both cases it is a conflict over (partly, at least) economic capital.
There are other reasons, of course; partly it is because it can be taught as 'soap opera studies'. The flexibility of the curriculum (a very laudable thing) is also the thorn of MS -you can study the development of cinema verite in France during the 1960s, or you can study the modern cookery show. This isn't 'bad' -there is an assumption that the 'modern' is unworthy of study, whilst the 'past' is reified as 'civilised' or 'classical'. Modern societies, and notable scholars such as Winkelmann (1717-1768), Spengler (etc), have viewed societies as cyclical entities, moving from chaos, into a classical peak, and then into decadence and failure. The public perception of MS is driven by these conceptions, associating the past with a halycon idyll (as if crass, consumer pulp-fiction didn't exist in the 17th c.) whilst loathing 'modernity'. This suggests a social ambiguity towards modern society (a worthy region of study, especially in MS itself), with a concern with anomic relationships and consumer capitalism, terrorism and authoritarianism. These threats, whilst by no means new, use MS as a strawman for the 'death' or 'decay' of a 'culture' which is still associated with Byron, Dickens, and Homer. Arguments used in opposition against it often fall on time-worn (and incorrect) salvoes such as "it isn't taught at Oxbridge" and "it's all about watching TV". (a) Cambridge have a very active documentary scene, papers in ethnographic film (which I am taking) and the employment of film in historical source material classes (b) this is a truism -it's like saying "scientists only do experiments"; it's a yes and no -experiments are an important part of the discipline, but they require interpretation, preparation and development.
Well it's not considered an academic subject is it? That's the general perception and thus the more able students usually go for things like Biology/Chemistry/Maths. The only thing I can compare it to based on personal experience is business studies. It's interesting, yet ultimately easy and hardly respected.
I'll probably just end up going over what other people have already said here, but I'll do so anyway.
Media Studies, and in fact any media related degree, is a fairly new area of study. In the past, there wasn't enough of it, or enough depth within it, to make such study worthwhile. In fact, the only 'media' which people could go deep enough into studying was literature - hence English.
With names such as 'media' and 'TV' or 'Film' in the title, it's bound to receive some criticism by those who don't know anything/much about it. I'm sure the same would happen if Maths had never existed until now, and was then brought in under the name 'Number Studies' - something that's general, and gives nothing away to those who can't be bothered doing their research before forming their opinions.
Similarly, the opinions are influenced by those who take the subject. Something like physics truly only attracts people with an interest in that subject, but of course, Media Studies is going to get the interest of those who want to just slack off. Admittedly, they'll fall down as soon as they realise what they've let themselves in for, but the mere fact that they showed interest in it, expecting it to be easy, allows people to form an opinion about the 'media type'. There are certain uninterested individuals who cause everyone else to receive prejudice.
The fact is, there are more and more degrees being introduced nowadays - new things, that have only just become worthy of degree level study, or degrees which are a less broad version of something that's been around for years. For some elitists, this is a scary thing - many will argue that it somehow 'decreases the value' of their own degrees; they'd rather have a few educated people who class themselves as 'better' than everyone else, than have a stronger and better educated country overall, where others are on a par with them.
It's Media Studies now, but in ten years' time, it'll be whatever new degree has been introduced.
Media Studies, and in fact any media related degree, is a fairly new area of study. In the past, there wasn't enough of it, or enough depth within it, to make such study worthwhile. In fact, the only 'media' which people could go deep enough into studying was literature - hence English.
With names such as 'media' and 'TV' or 'Film' in the title, it's bound to receive some criticism by those who don't know anything/much about it. I'm sure the same would happen if Maths had never existed until now, and was then brought in under the name 'Number Studies' - something that's general, and gives nothing away to those who can't be bothered doing their research before forming their opinions.
Similarly, the opinions are influenced by those who take the subject. Something like physics truly only attracts people with an interest in that subject, but of course, Media Studies is going to get the interest of those who want to just slack off. Admittedly, they'll fall down as soon as they realise what they've let themselves in for, but the mere fact that they showed interest in it, expecting it to be easy, allows people to form an opinion about the 'media type'. There are certain uninterested individuals who cause everyone else to receive prejudice.
The fact is, there are more and more degrees being introduced nowadays - new things, that have only just become worthy of degree level study, or degrees which are a less broad version of something that's been around for years. For some elitists, this is a scary thing - many will argue that it somehow 'decreases the value' of their own degrees; they'd rather have a few educated people who class themselves as 'better' than everyone else, than have a stronger and better educated country overall, where others are on a par with them.
It's Media Studies now, but in ten years' time, it'll be whatever new degree has been introduced.
Joanna May
A lot of the top universities don't offer it as a degree.
I'm sorry but I think that's a bit ignorant. Off the top of my head I can think of Birmingham's BA Media, Culture and Society, Cardiff's BA Journalism, Film and Media, Warwick's BA Film and Television Studies (different to media studies I know but we're in the same family here and all these courses face the same prejudices), Liverpool's BA Communication Studies, Leeds' BA Cinema and Photography, BA Communications Studies and BA Broadcasting, Nottingham's BA Film and Television Studies, Newcastle's BA Media, Communication and Cultural Studies and King's College London's BA Film Studies...that's eight Russell Group Universities that I can think of in 5 minutes. I'm sure if you looked into it there would be more. That's also not including postgraduate courses - ahem - such as the MA in Film Aesthetics at Oxford University, or practical filmmaking courses (which I know they do at Bristol, for example).
cpj1987
Just because the 'top' universities only offer the more traditional subjects, doesn't necessarily mean that anything more modern that they don't offer is rubbish.
Did I say that? No. The person I was responding to asked why if media was so bad the universities offered degrees in it. I was merely pointing out that those who do look down on media, don't offer it.
strawberry_wise
I'm sorry but I think that's a bit ignorant. Off the top of my head I can think of Birmingham's BA Media, Culture and Society, Cardiff's BA Journalism, Film and Media, Warwick's BA Film and Television Studies (different to media studies I know but we're in the same family here and all these courses face the same prejudices), Liverpool's BA Communication Studies, Leeds' BA Cinema and Photography, BA Communications Studies and BA Broadcasting, Nottingham's BA Film and Television Studies, Newcastle's BA Media, Communication and Cultural Studies and King's College London's BA Film Studies...that's eight Russell Group Universities that I can think of in 5 minutes. I'm sure if you looked into it there would be more. That's also not including postgraduate courses - ahem - such as the MA in Film Aesthetics at Oxford University, or practical filmmaking courses (which I know they do at Bristol, for example).
I wish people would read before they get insulted
Did you not read the next sentence? I said that obviously there were exceptions, so clearly I'm aware that some good universities do offer media degrees. Besides, I clearly said "If you look for MEDIA on UCAS", not "if you look for any and all degrees that people lump together with media. Also, I wouldn't particularly consider Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham top universities. Good, but not 'top'. That's my opinion though *shrug*
I was thinking about this earlier actually, and I think a small part of the snobbery of other Alevel students could be jellousy.
Say people who take subjects they know are harder but are more "respectable" like English Lit. If someone does Media and gets into a good Uni over them they'd be very pissed that they'd done a harder and "less fun" subject, but because they got a lower mark they're seen as not having done as well? If that makes sense.
Say people who take subjects they know are harder but are more "respectable" like English Lit. If someone does Media and gets into a good Uni over them they'd be very pissed that they'd done a harder and "less fun" subject, but because they got a lower mark they're seen as not having done as well? If that makes sense.
Film, TV, Media.
The first two have only really existed within the 20th century. So of course the academic elite are frightened by it, things are often slow to change in creaky old institutions (the law system is an example). That is what I think.
I don't have an opinion on the subject itself. I have never studied it, the only grievance it causes to me is the volume of what is going on next door when I'm in my history lesson
The first two have only really existed within the 20th century. So of course the academic elite are frightened by it, things are often slow to change in creaky old institutions (the law system is an example). That is what I think.
I don't have an opinion on the subject itself. I have never studied it, the only grievance it causes to me is the volume of what is going on next door when I'm in my history lesson
Joanna May
I wish people would read before they get insulted
I wish people would read before they get insulted
I'm certainly not insulted
Joanna May
Did you not read the next sentence? I said that obviously there were exceptions, so clearly I'm aware that some good universities do offer media degrees. Besides, I clearly said "If you look for MEDIA on UCAS", not "if you look for any and all degrees that people lump together with media. Also, I wouldn't particularly consider Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham top universities. Good, but not 'top'. That's my opinion though *shrug*
Did you not read the next sentence? I said that obviously there were exceptions, so clearly I'm aware that some good universities do offer media degrees. Besides, I clearly said "If you look for MEDIA on UCAS", not "if you look for any and all degrees that people lump together with media. Also, I wouldn't particularly consider Liverpool, Newcastle and Birmingham top universities. Good, but not 'top'. That's my opinion though *shrug*
The classification I was using was, as I stated, the Russell Group universities that I could recall; widely considered to be the top twenty research-led universities in the country. I was using a less-subjective method of classifying universities, if you like, than my own views on what is a 'top' uni.
The distinction between media studies and other courses that get grouped with media studies is, of course, often quite great in terms of actual course content, but there is very little distinction when it comes to reputation and the subsequent biases and prejudices that surround them, which is why I included them.
millicent
I don't have an opinion on the subject itself. I have never studied it, the only grievance it causes to me is the volume of what is going on next door when I'm in my history lesson
Hehe once we were studying romantic comedy at A2 and the German class next door were extremely mystified when we got to the famous 'orgasm scene' in When Harry Met Sally...
strawberry_wise
I'm certainly not insulted The classification I was using was, as I stated, the Russell Group universities that I could recall; widely considered to be the top twenty research-led universities in the country. I was using a less-subjective method of classifying universities, if you like, than my own views on what is a 'top' uni.
The classification I was using was, as I stated, the Russell Group universities that I could recall; widely considered to be the top twenty research-led universities in the country. I was using a less-subjective method of classifying universities, if you like, than my own views on what is a 'top' uni.Good. I didn't intend for you to be.
The criteria I was using to judge a 'top' university wasn't just my own opinion, but the league tables. The majority of universities that offer media courses are often around the middle of the table, rather than the top 20 or so. Therefore, as far as I'm concerned, the top universities generally don't offer these courses, so the person I was originally responding to was being fairly irrelevant. Of course, as I already mentioned, there are exceptions to the rule.
kateyrib
the people who take it at my school are generally people who arent good at anthing else!..and everyone gets really good grades..
that may well be the case at your school. Particularly if it is a selective school. However, national statistics show more 'good' grades in Mathematics than Media Studies. One can say that's because more able students take Maths, which may well be true. However it is certainly not the case that the less academic students get good grades in media.
kateyrib
also media studies isnt a specialism any more..more people are doing it..therfore it must be easier...thats the logical view point!
Catsmeat
I've written about this, quite extensively, on TSR before, and there have been several long (and heated) threads. I am not disuading you from asking, merely informing you that some very interesting conversations and opinions have already been made.
i really don't like the search function
kateyrib
also media studies isnt a specialism any more..more people are doing it..therfore it must be easier...thats the logical view point!
No, that's the illogical view point. Media Studies is a discursive discipline, with increased interest and investment opening up new areas of study and specialisation. Furthermore, as media technology evolves, as will the opportunities to interpret and apply those technologies -leading, I would imagine, to a proliferation of constantly evolving trends and currents within the subject area.
an_end_has_a_start
a lot of people take it, its like business, its assumed that the more people take it the easier it is, this is NOT the case!! i hate all this thing about 'easy a levels' there is no easy a levels, only arrogant people :-) who think they are better than everyone else because they are doing every science and maths under the sun!
sorry that is my opinion
sorry that is my opinion
Totally agree with you. Many people who say "oh that's an easy subject" generally have never had any experience with it so only have an opinion based on what they've heard.
Joanna May
A lot of the top universities don't offer it as a degree. Obviously some do, but looking at the universities that come up when you search 'media' on UCAS, the ones that do offer it are lower down the league tables. Obviously there's some exceptions, but that's the general trend. And a lot of these universities are ones which, in my opinion, are exploiting people who simply aren't made for academic learning and would be better off getting experience. That's a different matter though, so we won't venture there
Personally, I see media as a degree as quite a waste of time, simply because you'd be far better off getting a job and starting to work your way up the career ladder. I looked into working within the media, and everywhere I looked said they valued experience far more than any study of media.
Also, I've never been to a media lesson in my life and got an A on a paper the media teacher set us 'to prove media is harder than people think'.
Personally, I see media as a degree as quite a waste of time, simply because you'd be far better off getting a job and starting to work your way up the career ladder. I looked into working within the media, and everywhere I looked said they valued experience far more than any study of media.
Also, I've never been to a media lesson in my life and got an A on a paper the media teacher set us 'to prove media is harder than people think'.
Media degree's aren't meant to be about academic ability. They are practical subjects because the jobs you are going to get if you go into media are likely to be practical. You could say the same for business studies, economics, politics. Why bother doing degree's for them when it may be better to go get some experience in that area. It's more about specialising. Media Studies is a broad based subject giving you an idea about the whole area of media. It's better to specialise in an area of it such as presenting/acting or production. These themselves can be further broken down so that you can gain the relevant knowledge for what you want to go into.
Your final point did you do the paper at A-level? If so there's a lot of differnece between A-level and degree.
Strawberry_wise
I'm sorry but I think that's a bit ignorant. Off the top of my head I can think of Birmingham's BA Media, Culture and Society, Cardiff's BA Journalism, Film and Media, Warwick's BA Film and Television Studies (different to media studies I know but we're in the same family here and all these courses face the same prejudices), Liverpool's BA Communication Studies, Leeds' BA Cinema and Photography, BA Communications Studies and BA Broadcasting, Nottingham's BA Film and Television Studies, Newcastle's BA Media, Communication and Cultural Studies and King's College London's BA Film Studies...that's eight Russell Group Universities that I can think of in 5 minutes. I'm sure if you looked into it there would be more. That's also not including postgraduate courses - ahem - such as the MA in Film Aesthetics at Oxford University, or practical filmmaking courses (which I know they do at Bristol, for example).
Exactly.
Kateyrib
also media studies isnt a specialism any more..more people are doing it..therfore it must be easier...thats the logical view point!
More people are learning to drive does that make it any easier. It's not logical at all. It just means that more people are choosing to do it not that it's easy. If the number of people choosing to study quantum mechanics shot up would you say it's easier. I think a lot of people are choosing it because there is a broad base of jobs and areas you can go into. For example I'm doing media production. This year the modules have been fairly broad giving lots of general information/knowledge. I've recently handed in my module choice form for next (my 2nd) year. The options I have chosen will allow me to become specialised in the area of media that I am aiming for.
At the end of the day if you like doing the subject then do it. You shouldn't worry about what other people think. At this stage of life if you know what you want to do then sod what other people think. If you have a goal in life go for it even if it means you have to take some flack from those who believe that something else is better. It's your life.
Pete_@_the_atrium
Totally agree with you. Many people who say "oh that's an easy subject" generally have never had any experience with it so only have an opinion based on what they've heard.
Media degree's aren't meant to be about academic ability. They are practical subjects because the jobs you are going to get if you go into media are likely to be practical. You could say the same for business studies, economics, politics. Why bother doing degree's for them when it may be better to go get some experience in that area. It's more about specialising. Media Studies is a broad based subject giving you an idea about the whole area of media. It's better to specialise in an area of it such as presenting/acting or production. These themselves can be further broken down so that you can gain the relevant knowledge for what you want to go into.
Your final point did you do the paper at A-level? If so there's a lot of differnece between A-level and degree.
Exactly.
More people are learning to drive does that make it any easier. It's not logical at all. It just means that more people are choosing to do it not that it's easy. If the number of people choosing to study quantum mechanics shot up would you say it's easier. I think a lot of people are choosing it because there is a broad base of jobs and areas you can go into. For example I'm doing media production. This year the modules have been fairly broad giving lots of general information/knowledge. I've recently handed in my module choice form for next (my 2nd) year. The options I have chosen will allow me to become specialised in the area of media that I am aiming for.
At the end of the day if you like doing the subject then do it. You shouldn't worry about what other people think. At this stage of life if you know what you want to do then sod what other people think. If you have a goal in life go for it even if it means you have to take some flack from those who believe that something else is better. It's your life.
Media degree's aren't meant to be about academic ability. They are practical subjects because the jobs you are going to get if you go into media are likely to be practical. You could say the same for business studies, economics, politics. Why bother doing degree's for them when it may be better to go get some experience in that area. It's more about specialising. Media Studies is a broad based subject giving you an idea about the whole area of media. It's better to specialise in an area of it such as presenting/acting or production. These themselves can be further broken down so that you can gain the relevant knowledge for what you want to go into.
Your final point did you do the paper at A-level? If so there's a lot of differnece between A-level and degree.
Exactly.
More people are learning to drive does that make it any easier. It's not logical at all. It just means that more people are choosing to do it not that it's easy. If the number of people choosing to study quantum mechanics shot up would you say it's easier. I think a lot of people are choosing it because there is a broad base of jobs and areas you can go into. For example I'm doing media production. This year the modules have been fairly broad giving lots of general information/knowledge. I've recently handed in my module choice form for next (my 2nd) year. The options I have chosen will allow me to become specialised in the area of media that I am aiming for.
At the end of the day if you like doing the subject then do it. You shouldn't worry about what other people think. At this stage of life if you know what you want to do then sod what other people think. If you have a goal in life go for it even if it means you have to take some flack from those who believe that something else is better. It's your life.
Well said with all of this. Expect +rep after midnight.
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