Mass Media

Subtitled "A graphic guide", this combines text and artwork in an eye-catching way to produce a very readable overview of many of the basic ideas and developments in media technology "from Marconi to Murdoch". In addition to providing a basic history of technological development (and the relationship between technology and the power to control it) the book also reviews some of the major "media affects" theories and concepts in a novel and illuminating way.

Subtitled "The meaning of style", this heavily-semiological text explores a number of aspects of youth subcultures in a lucid, readable and interesting way. However, I find it generally unconvincing on a number of levels: Hebdidge's assertions are generally questionable, his interpretations lean towards the pretentious and much of his evidence is unconvincing (anyone, for example, who uncritically quotes Richard Hell when discussing punk culture has, I think, spectacularly missed the plot).

Part of the "Issues in Sociology" series, this follows the standard format of topic overviews (ownership and control, representations, media effects, etc.) followed by short selected original readings to illustrate the topic. The format is a good way to introduce students to original material in an easily-digestible form and such material can be used as the basis for classroom discussion and explanation. Each reading is followed by questions based on the text (not particularly useful) and each section closes with a selection of past exam questions (generally useful).

Part of the "Sociology in Action" series, this focuses on various forms of media representation (gender, ethnicity, deviance and the like) with good, if sometimes basic, coverage of media models, theories and concepts. This is the second edition and it contains substantial revisions and additions when compared with its first incarnation. Trowler writes and presents information in an accessible way and the book contains project suggestions and a reasonable selection of further reading. As a basic media text, this is probably one of the best available at this level.

With a focus on digital media, this is a cultural / technological overview of historical development and, as such, it's unlikely to feature on any A-level Media Sociology essential reading list. However, for teachers confused by the latest developments in Multimedia, the Internet and so forth this might prove useful background reading. There are also sections on ideas like "gatekeeping" that could be used as illustrative material for explaining these types of concept.

This slim volume explores a number of aspects of popular culture (music, style, fashion and the like). It's probably most useful, in A-level terms, for the range of ethnographic evidence sprinkled liberally throughout its pages. This makes it a potentially useful source of discussion topics as well as providing useful project material and inspiration.

Presented in two sections (Techniques of interpretation and Applications), this is a useful little book for students who want to understand semiology and content analysis (the former is presented in some detail). It also includes discussion of Marxist and psychoanalytic techniques of media interpretation. The "Applications" section uses examples from religion and advertising (among others) to show how some of the techniques can be applied. In general terms, this is clearly written, with good use of sub-headings to highlight important concepts.

A media text that focuses on explanations of various sociological concepts and, most importantly, how each concept is articulated through the media. For example, the text contains useful chapters on class (showing how the concept is articulated by applying it to the analysis of sitcoms, game shows, soap operas and drama), gender and ethnic media representations, as well as brief discussions of audience effects, image analysis and the like. The book is probably most useful as a primer for class discussions or as the basis for media-related project work.

Subtitled "A Guide for Teachers", this is a series of readings focusing on various aspects of the mass media. Of primary interest to those teaching the sociology of the mass media will probably be the sections on audience and representations, although the chapter "Teaching about the media" focuses, to some extent, on media effects (using perspectives of children and television as its theme). The book closes with an extensive section of "listings" (books, materials, TV programmes, film packs, media organisations, etc.), although many of these are now out of date / no longer available.

Subtitled "Geographies of Youth Cultures", this is a series of readings on youth cultures across the world and social spectrum. For most A-level students, the authors' introduction will provide a useful overview of this general area but, as with most texts of this type, it's a bit of a curate's egg. In the main, this is probably a book that's most useful for teachers who's idea of modern youth culture began and ended with the Summer of Love (and if you understand this reference you probably know who you are...).

In simple terms (?), a "History of mass communication in Britain" aimed more at Media / Journalism students than Sociology but which nevertheless contains much of interest for the latter. This is basically an historical overview of media development (with the focus on technology and ideology in particular) with a few sociological insights and theories thrown-in for good measure. Not a text book, as such, but an interesting read for anyone wanting general background material on a range of media.

The focus here is on the "treatment of male and female homosexuality in the British media" (although it mainly covers newspaper reporting) this is both an interesting read (if you want to know more about homosexuality) and a potentially useful source of materials / references for students pursuing project work in this area. Sections of the book could also be usefully used as provocative stimulus material for discussions relating to both sexuality / sexual identity and media effects.

Aimed mainly at Media / Communications students (although many of the readings have some sociological significance), this is an interesting collection of readings (most of which are short and to-the-point) on a variety of issues and themes grouped under three main headings: Defining the Media, Media and Society (Institutions, Audience, Effects (including an interesting chapter by Cumberbatch), etc.) and Representations (including sexuality, gender, youth, sport, news and so forth - including an interesting chapter on censorship and it's relationship to class, feminism and patriarchy).

Subtitled a "Handbook for the study of Racism and Television", this is a compendium of readings, aimed primarily at teachers, that deals with ideas and resources relating to racism, society and, in particular, the mass media. In basic terms, the book offers a variety of ideas and materials that can be used for anti-racist teaching (although some sections discuss ways of implementing strategies for combating racism generally). As such, it is probably most easily used as a way of generating ideas that can be adapted and implemented within the school, college or classroom.

Subtitled "The definitive history of pirate radio ships", this is a resolutely anecdotal account of pirate radio in Britain (or, to be more precise, just outside British coastal waters). Written by an ex-pirate disc jockey, most of the book seems to have been written before 1968, with a shorter section added later to bring it up-to-date. Not a book that’s going to be much use for sociology teaching per se, but if you’ve got a passing interest in this particular phase of radio history, it’s an "easy reading" (some might say bland) type of book (despite the grating prose and the author’s penchant for minute detail) that might pass a few cold winter evenings. It might also serve as useful background material for any student doing a project in this general area.

For A-level students and teachers this is probably a book to dip into and out of, particularly where it uses text and graphics in interesting and illuminating ways. Overall, it's probably more of a Communications text than a Media Sociology one, but its discussions of artifacts and their  meanings, popular culture and mass culture has some relevance for the latter (although teachers may have to put these into context). The design, however, provides plentiful opportunities for the development of lesson plans.

A set of relatively modern (and therefore up-to-date) readings that focus specifically on the "new digital age". Probably not a book that will attract A-level students (too esoteric, too philosophical and, probably, too high a level), but many of the readings could be useful for teachers looking to update their knowledge in the area of media technology.

In basic terms, an undergraduate level text that focuses on the changing nature of identity between the modern and post-modern periods. There's a great deal of discussion and depth to this book - and it's probably not one an A-level student is likely to read from cover to cover. However, it's clearly written and filled with detailed dissections of a range of different media (film, music, etc.) and styles. Teachers may find it useful as a source of material that can be adapted for classroom use.

Another volume in the increasingly-impressive "Skills-Based Sociology" series (edited by Tony Lawson and Tim Heaton), this maintains the high-quality of texts aimed squarely at A-level teachers and students. There's very good syllabus coverage (with a bias towards AEB), comprehensive summaries of theories and concepts, exercises that focus on the exam skill domains, short readings and project ideas. This is a serious contender to Trowler for the title of best Sociology of the Media A-level text...

"Milestones in Mass Communication Research", to give it its full title, combines an overview of various models of media influence with a thorough presentation and analysis of research studies surrounding these communication models. This is a particularly useful book for anyone engaged in "media effects" research since it provides a wealth of empirical evidence and analysis that translates easily into the project format.

Although not aimed specifically at Sociology students, many of the sections relate to areas covered by the Sociology of Media (substantive areas such as media effects and popular culture, as well as theoretical concepts such as power and ideology for example). The text is well-presented, with useful key-word sub-headings and short, concise, chunks of text that lend themselves to revision, classroom exercises / debates.

This is probably a text that is most useful for students doing media-related project work since it mainly deals with language use and analysis in newspapers. There is, however, an interesting (and more widely relevant) section on group representations that focuses on syntax analysis and the language of stereotypes, as well as sections on audience roles and identity and newspaper discourse. In general, a very nicely written text with loads of useful illustrations.

Although this is a GCSE / GNVQ Intermediate level text which offers basic definitions of various media-related concepts (semiology, genre, audience and so forth), its usefulness for A-level lies in the range of source materials it contains. These can, with a little effort and imagination, be adapted for A-level. As with most texts at this level it is also a useful source of basic ideas that can, with a bit of thought, be developed into A-level projects.

Written by an American TV critic, Teleliteracy is an interesting, very readable, text that sets-out to take a positive look at the merits of (American) television. There are interesting chapters on TV and Violence, US Broadcasting history, news reporting and so forth, all written in a lively style and peppered with the views of TV pundits, producers and critics. The book's opening "Teleliteracy Quiz" provides an interesting template for a possible media lesson plan.

Part of the "Modern Britain" series, this slim volume maintains the high standards of the series, with good general coverage of a range of themes and issues (Media power, moral panics, advertising, audiences, effects and the like). Although not as "student-friendly" as some texts (it's got a lot of words...), this nevertheless provides a good introduction to numerous areas covered in media sociology in a clear and constructive manner.