Sage Publications

Media Content, Audiences, and Effects

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Sage Publications

Media Content, Audiences, and Effects

Sage Instructors

Instructor: Sage Instructors

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Understand core concepts and models of mass communication

  • Analyze the historical and contemporary role of mass media

  • Explore the relationship between media and society

Details to know

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Recently updated!

November 2026

Assessments

8 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the McQuail’s Media and Mass Communication Theory Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
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There are 7 modules in this course

This module explores the analysis of media content through various theoretical and methodological lenses, including critical perspectives, structuralism, and discourse analysis. Learners will gain insights into how media messages are constructed, interpreted, and evaluated in different contexts. The module equips students with the tools to critically assess media content and its societal implications.

What's included

1 video14 readings1 assignment

This module explores the classification of media genres and formats, examining how they influence storytelling and audience interpretation. Learners will analyze cultural frameworks, media logic, and framing techniques to understand how meanings are constructed in media texts. The module also covers intertextuality, realism, and the evolution of media content across platforms.

What's included

1 video10 readings1 assignment

This module explores the evolution of the audience concept in media and communication, examining how audiences are constructed, measured, and understood across different research traditions. Learners will gain insight into the theoretical and practical implications of audience research for media strategies and public engagement.

What's included

1 video12 readings1 assignment

This module explores the psychological, social, and structural factors that influence audience formation and media engagement. Learners will gain insights into how media use is shaped by individual traits, societal norms, and cultural contexts. The content also examines theoretical models that explain audience behavior and the evolving nature of media consumption.

What's included

1 video13 readings1 assignment

This module explores the theoretical and historical development of media effects, examining how media influences people's attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs. It covers key models of media impact, including limited power, negotiated influence, and reciprocal effects, and investigates how these concepts have evolved over time. Learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of how media can shape public perception and behavior through various mechanisms.

What's included

1 video10 readings1 assignment

This module explores the impact of media on social behavior, public opinion, and political communication through key theories and empirical research. It examines how media shapes perceptions of reality, influences public discourse, and affects individual and collective actions over time.

What's included

1 video14 readings1 assignment

This module explores the historical development and theoretical evolution of mass communication, focusing on key shifts in media studies and the emergence of a 'grand narrative' that frames the field. Learners will gain insights into how mass communication has adapted over time and the role of new media in shaping contemporary discourse.

What's included

1 video6 readings2 assignments

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Instructor

Sage Instructors
Sage Publications
189 Courses10,247 learners

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