Media Entertainment

Course Objective

Upon completion of this course, the student will...
• Have a knowledge and understanding of the most important and
well-discussed issues regard-ing media use and effects from a
perspective of entertainment.
• Have a knowledge and understanding of how knowledge is generated
within social science re-search, in particular media and communication,
theoretically and methodologically.
• Be able to make judgments about media entertainment that have
intrigued the public for dec-ades in a competent and scientifically
appropriate way.
• Be able to make judgments about the results of significant research
and empirical studies pub-lished in the domain of media entertainment.
• Be able to apply these theories in media entertainment to a
contemporary media example.
• Be able to communicate opinions regarding issues in media
entertainment to academic and non-academic audiences.

Course Content

This class will provide an overview of the most important theoretical
models and empirical findings in the field of media entertainment
research and more recent theorizing on media use from an entertainment
perspective. The class will focus on the psychological underpinnings of
media entertainment. We will discuss
classic topics such as Escapism, Catharsis, Identification, Cultivation,
Mood Management, Parasocial Interactions, Fandom, Horror, Humor,
Suspense, Eudaimonia, Intrinsic Needs, and Social Media, among others.
Furthermore, we will tap into related and more recently studied
questions such as: Why do people seek enjoyment from sad and “negative”
media? Why do we like “bad” characters? What makes a funny sitcom? Who
is fascinated by video games and why? How do females and males differ in
their preferences for entertaining media content? Is there entertainment
value in the news or social media?
Each week, students will read obligatory key articles about several of
these topics. The class will consist of lectures that deal with these
articles and also provide additional information about each topic. One
of the focuses of the class will lie on increasing students'
theoretical
understanding of highlighted topics in the field of media and
entertainment, while another focus lies on the design and results of
core empirical studies that illuminate media entertainment research.
Accordingly, most lectures will discuss a selection of the best
empirical studies related to the topic of the lecture. In addition to
the reading of obligatory articles, students will share and substantiate
their opinion about what has been addressed in class during the planned
workgroup sessions.

Additional Information Teaching Methods

Lectures and workgroups.

Method of Assessment

The final grade will consist of an individual digital examination with
multiple choice and short answer questions (60%), plus group
presentations and short written assignments (40% in total).
Students must pass the exam, in addition to completing the assignments.

Literature

The obligatory literature will include published journal articles and
chapters (to be announced on the Canvas page of the course). These will
be available via online databases.

Additional Information Target Audience

2nd year bachelor communication science, minor communication science,
and exchange students.

Additional Information

The class will be entirely in English, including all lectures,
correspondence, assessments, and assignments. Foreign exchange students
are very welcome.

Custom Course Registration

In this course, you cannot enroll for one of the study groups yourself,
but you will be assigned by the course coordinator. The allocation will
be announced via Canvas. Please note: You do have to register for the
course and the other course components on VU.nl.