Delivered at:: Department of Sociology

Course type:: Elective course

When:: 3 year, 1, 2 module

Instructors

Davydov, Sergey G.

Мацкевич Мария Георгиевна

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Abstract

Mediatization as one of the most important meta-processes shaping modernity (F. Krotz). As it develops, media texts are becoming an increasingly important and sought-after source of sociological data. This discipline solves the problem of forming comprehensive understanding of methodological possibilities of media texts analysis, and at the same time it is aimed at developing and consolidating the skills of sociological field research, including the development of the research program, preparation of research tools, conducting fieldwork, analyzing the collected data and writing final reports. The basic research method considered in detail within the discipline is quantitative content analysis with manual coding. Special attention will be paid to achieving consistency within the coding group. Students are given an overview of other approaches (discourse analysis, narrative analysis, visual analysis, frame analysis, etc.), elements of which can be integrated into a research program. Possible objects of study include news publications from Russian and foreign media, fiction, user generated content, etc. Mastering the discipline involves students' proactive research on independently formulated topics, that also may be proposed by the instructor. In both cases the work is carried out in small project groups. The main product of the course is a presentation of the research results, as well as reporting materials prepared during the project.

Learning Objectives

Mastering the theoretical foundations and methods of sociological analysis of media texts.
Formation of skills in designing sociological research of media texts.
Development of group research competencies.

Expected Learning Outcomes

Consistently carry out the stages of media texts content analysis, including sample modeling, development of analysis categories and coding of media messages.
To apply in practice various techniques of media text analysis (visual analysis, narrative analysis, discourse analysis, intent analysis, etc.).
To draw up a program for sociological research of media texts, including the formulation of a working hypothesis and the development of methodological foundations.

Course Contents

Document. Text. Discourse.
Content analysis as a method of social research: a general overview.
Main stages and procedure of content analysis
Visual analysis of media texts.
Intentions in media texts. Method of intent analysis.
Analysis of agenda setting and media frames.
Basic techniques of discourse analysis.
Narrative analysis.
Comprehensive analysis of media text (on the example of films and TV).

Assessment Elements

Seminars: activity
Homework
Group project: defence

Interim Assessment

2025/2026 2nd module
0.4 * Group project: defence + 0.3 * Homework + 0.3 * Seminars: activity

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Martin, W. E., & Bridgmon, K. D. (2012). Quantitative and Statistical Research Methods : From Hypothesis to Results (Vol. First edition). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=467257
Riemer, F. J., Quartaroli, M. T., & Lapan, S. D. (2012). Qualitative Research : An Introduction to Methods and Designs (Vol. 1st ed). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=407814
Методы социологического исследования : Учеб. пособие, Девятко, И.Ф., 2009
Стратегия социологического исследования. Описание, объяснение, понимание социальной реальности : Учеб. пособие, Ядов, В.А., 2007

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Underberg, N. M., & Zorn, E. (2013). Digital Ethnography : Anthropology, Narrative, and New Media (Vol. 1st ed). Austin: University of Texas Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=548651
Власть коммуникации, Кастельс, М., 2017

Authors

Скрынник Елизавета Сергеевна
DAVYDOV Sergei GENNADEVICH

Bachelor’s Programme 'Sociology and Social Informatics'

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Sociological analysis of media texts