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MCH8110 : Global Media, Culture and the Stories that Shape Us (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2026/27
- Module Leader(s): Professor Darren Kelsey
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Chris Haywood, Dr Tina Sikka
- Lecturer: Dr Clifton Evers, Dr Bethany Usher, Dr Steve Walls
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
Global Media, Culture and the Stories That Shape Us explores how stories shape identity, culture and human understanding across global media environments. You examine how narratives are constructed, circulated and interpreted across film, television, journalism, social media, advertising, politics and popular culture, while exploring storytelling as a creative, persuasive and ideological force. The module introduces key concepts including narrative structure, archetypes, symbolism, myth, emotion and psychological approaches to storytelling alongside critical perspectives on power, representation, culture and ideology. You explore how dominant narratives emerge across different societies and traditions, and how alternative storytelling frameworks can challenge assumptions about identity, belonging and social reality. Alongside analysing stories in media and culture, you reflect on how narrative shapes personal and collective meaning. In short, the module explores how stories shape identity, culture and social reality across global media environments while developing your ability to critically analyse and responsibly use storytelling within contemporary media and communication contexts.
Outline Of Syllabus
The topics covered on this module might include the following:
Narrative structures and storytelling frameworks
Archetypes, myth and symbolic storytelling
Psychological approaches to storytelling and identity
Personal narratives, memory and selfhood
Collective stories, culture and social reality
Mythologies, ideologies and systems of meaning
Global storytelling traditions and cultural paradigms
Western and non-Western narrative frameworks
Media storytelling across film, television and digital culture
Storytelling in advertising, branding and consumer culture
Political storytelling, power and public discourse
Audience participation and collective meaning-making
Storytelling, emotion and affective publics
Digital storytelling, platforms and algorithmic culture
AI and emerging storytelling technologies
Ethical storytelling, representation and responsibility
Liminal narratives, speculative futures and alternative imaginaries
Storytelling, humanity and the changing meanings of reality and culture
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 61:00 | 61:00 | Self-generated research essay planning, research, drafting and refinement |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 10 | 1:00 | 10:00 | Leading-edge lectures exploring storytelling, narrative structures, archetypes, media cultures and global storytelling traditions |
| Structured Guided Learning | Academic skills activities | 10 | 3:00 | 30:00 | Interactive digital learning, guided activities and reflective storytelling analysis tasks |
| Structured Guided Learning | Structured research and reading activities | 9 | 3:00 | 27:00 | Guided engagement with narrative theory, psychological and cultural frameworks, and contemporary media case studies. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 4 | 2:00 | 8:00 | Support towards assessment development, planning and refinement – synchronous online. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 7 | 2:00 | 14:00 | Critical discussion and collaborative analysis of stories, media texts, symbols and cultural narratives across contemporary and historical contexts. In person. |
| Guided Independent Study | Reflective learning activity | 1 | 20:00 | 20:00 | Reflective engagement with personal, collective and cultural narratives through formative discussion and analytical exercises. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Independent reading, research, case study development and critical preparation. |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Encounters with the Leading Edge
This module includes encounters with the leading-edge of research in storytelling, media, culture and contemporary digital communication through engagement with evolving debates surrounding narrative, archetypes, identity, persuasion, representation and collective meaning across global media environments (MLO1, MLO2, MLO4). Learning begins each week with interactive digital learning materials ahead of lectures, seminars and guided critical discussion activities. This blended approach supports you in critically engaging with storytelling practices, cultural narratives and influential case studies drawn from platforms and genres that might include journalism, film, television, politics, advertising, digital culture, popular culture and emerging media environments (MLO1, MLO2, MLO3).
Lectures primarily support MLO1 and MLO2 through engagement with key theories, concepts and debates relating to storytelling, narrative structures, archetypal frameworks, media culture and collective meaning-making. Lectures introduce students to critical and/or psychological approaches to storytelling alongside global and intercultural perspectives that examine how stories shape identity, belonging, ideology, morality and social reality across interconnected media and cultural environments. Seminars primarily support MLO2 and MLO3 through collaborative discussion, case study analysis and critical evaluation of stories, media texts and cultural narratives across diverse historical and contemporary contexts. Seminar/workshop activities encourage students to apply theoretical concepts to real-world examples while developing critical interpretation, discussion and analytical storytelling skills. Structured guided learning activities support MLO1, MLO2 and MLO4 through engagement with theory, research literature, multimedia case studies, interactive learning materials and asynchronous reflective activities.
In sum, holistic learning activities encourage students to critically examine the relationship between storytelling, culture, power, identity and social reality within contemporary global and digital contexts. Students are supported in developing sustained analytical arguments while critically evaluating how stories shape human understanding across personal, political and collective dimensions. Through self-directed inquiry and research-led learning, students develop the ability to interpret and responsibly engage with storytelling practices across media, cultural and professional contexts.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case study | 1 | M | 70 | Self-generated multimedia production project analysing a contemporary issue, debate, media text, cultural narrative, communication practice or storytelling phenomenon related to global media, culture and the stories that shape us. |
| Prof skill assessmnt | 1 | M | 30 | Collaborative workshop facilitation project involving the design, delivery and critical management of an interactive group workshop based on core module themes, concepts and materials. |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Case study | 1 | M | Formative creative practice proposal, reflection and planning activity designed to support the development of the final multimedia production assessment. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Module Learning Outcome Mapping
Global Media: PLO1, PLO2, PLO7. Module Learning Outcomes: MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4.
Assessment 1: Formative Proposal (MLO1; MLO4)
A formative multimedia creative practice proposal and planning activity designed to support the development of the final multimedia production assessment. This may include a creative project pitch, case study proposal, storyboard or production plan, format rationale, audience strategy and reflective engagement with workshop discussion or tutorial activity focused on refining narrative direction, theoretical framing, storytelling approaches, media form and critical perspectives through formative feedback and collaborative discussion. Students are encouraged to critically consider the relationship between storytelling, media production, culture, ethics and audience engagement while developing a coherent and achievable creative vision for their final project.
Assessment 2: Creative Multimedia Case Study (MLO2; MLO3)
Students may choose to produce a format such as a podcast, video essay, short documentary, multimedia storytelling project, digital artefact or other approved creative/media practice proposal. Projects should critically engage with narrative structures, storytelling theory, cultural meaning, representation and/or psychological or archetypal dimensions of storytelling while demonstrating awareness of ethical, cultural and global perspectives. Accompanied by a critical reflective commentary, the assessment encourages students to combine analytical insight with creative and responsible storytelling practice across contemporary media environments.
The assessment is marked against the following task specific criteria:
1. Evidence of critical engagement with relevant contemporary storytelling, media, cultural and communication debates, issues or phenomena.
2. Identification and effective application of relevant theoretical concepts, narrative frameworks and critical perspectives to a proposed creative practice project or case study.
3. Development of a coherent, achievable and critically informed creative vision, storytelling approach and/or case study focus appropriate to the chosen media format.
4. Clarity, structure and critical quality of the proposed creative and analytical approach, including engagement with formative feedback, reflection and project planning.
5. Assessment timing, format and/or production scope agreed with the module leader in line with curriculum requirements and the approved creative practice proposal.
Assessment 3: Workshop facilitation (MLO1, MLO2, MLO3)
Students work collaboratively to create and facilitate a structured workshop experience that replicates professional creative, media, communication and cultural industry practices. Workshops may include guided discussion, storytelling exercises, collaborative problem solving, interpretive activities, creative development tasks and critical engagement with narrative, media and cultural materials.
The assessment is marked against the following task specific criteria:
1. Evidence of critical engagement with relevant module themes, theories, concepts and core materials relating to storytelling, media, culture and collective meaning-making.
2. Design and facilitation of a coherent, interactive and professionally structured workshop experience that encourages participation, collaboration and critical discussion.
3. Effective use of activities, discussion prompts, storytelling exercises and/or collaborative tasks to stimulate collective analysis, problem solving and shared learning.
4. Ability to communicate, facilitate and manage group interaction in ways that support inclusive, reflective and intellectually engaged participation.
5. Clarity, creativity and critical quality of workshop materials, facilitation approach and engagement with peer discussion and feedback.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH8110's Timetable