1) Crisis reporting can be described as ‘ritualistic’ on a number of levels. It incorporates recognisably repetitive processes of producing and presenting stories. It creates spaces in which events that potentially threaten social order are collectively engaged with, understood and publicly debated. It has also been argued to provide a key space in which social relations are reproduced and/or transformed. Referring to one or more examples, provide an evaluation of how ritual approaches might contribute to our understanding of the social and political significance of crisis reporting.

Essay requirement

 

Where the Media Report calls on students to provide a focused empirical study, the essay provides you with an opportunity to both demonstrate and further your understanding of key concepts and research studies relating to global crisis reporting.  Essay titles will be designed to assess the degree to which, through independent research, you are able to meet the subject objectives.  Note that these objectives emphasise students’ own capacities to demonstrate and apply critical understanding, which necessarily involves independent research and critical thinking.  In assessing essays, the following criteria will be applied:

• the degree to which the essay engages clearly and productively with the problem, issue or debate addressed in the research question
• the degree to which a clearly structured, well-argued and convincing response is developed that draws support from relevant evidence and theoretical work, while considering and responding to alternative arguments and/or potential objections?
• the degree to which the essay demonstrates critical understanding of key theories and methodologies, and engage with the practical implications of research findings;
• the degree to which, in the context of an argument, the student is able to draw on relevant ideas and examples, apply capacities of critical logic in engaging with them, and demonstrate original thinking;
• the degree to which the student has organised their argument so that it is  logical and convincing;
• the degree to which the essay is clearly written and presented, in conformity with academic protocols of research presentation.

Remember to engage with, and develop a response to, the question as stated. Obviously, in answering your chosen essay question you should seek to draw on case studies, issues, themes and theoretical positions discussed across the course and seek to marshal these into a coherent, consistent and convincing argument. The essay is weighted as 50% of the overall grade.