Socio-économie des industries culturelles et médiatiques

This course enables students to analyze the cultural and media industries by examining the intersections between their various sectors (news media, publishing, audiovisual and film, music, and video games) and cross-cutting themes: the economic characteristics of cultural goods; platformization; concentration and internationalization; financing; labor and creative conditions; regulation, public policy, and cultural diversity. These concepts are applied to explain concrete cases and compare the various sectors.

Upon completion of this course unit, students will be able to:
1.    Identify and describe the economic, social, and political dynamics that shape the cultural and media industries.
2.    Explain the transformations brought about by digital technology and their effects on stakeholders, sectors, and power relations.
3.    Define and apply the concepts covered in the course to analyze a concrete case, distinguishing between description and explanation.
4.    Formulate a research question, select relevant sources, and assess their reliability, scope, and limitations.
5.    Work in a group to develop a well-reasoned analysis, present it orally, and answer questions about the methodology and results.
6.    Individually write a structured response, drawing on the authors, course readings, and specific examples.

Required and corequired courses

Students participate in sessions that combine theoretical concepts, case studies, industry data, and discussions; prepare four scientific readings that are incorporated into the exam material; and conduct a group research project that includes a mind map, an interim oral presentation, and a final oral presentation. Feedback from the interim stage supports the continuation of the research project.

References, bibliography, and recommended reading

Bassoni, M., & Joux, A. (2014). Introduction à l'économie des médias. Armand Colin.
Bouquillion, P., Miège, B., & Moeglin, P. (2013). L'industrialisation des biens symboliques. Presses universitaires de Grenoble.
Doyle, G., (2002), Understanding media economics, Sage Publications.
Gabszewicz, J. J., & Sonnac, N. (2010). L'industrie des médias à l'ère numérique. La Découverte.
Greffe X. & N. Sonnac, (2008), Culture Web, Paris, Dalloz.
Guibert, G., Rebillard, F., & Rochelandet, F. (2016). Médias, culture et numérique : Approches socioéconomiques. Armand Colin.
Hesmondhalgh, D. (2019). The cultural industries (4th ed.). Sage.
Le Floch P. et N. Sonnac, (2005), Économie de la presse, nouvelle édition, Paris, La Découverte.
Legendre, B. (2019). Ce que le numérique fait au livre. Presses universitaires de Grenoble.
Menger, P.-M. (2009). Le travail créateur : S'accomplir dans l'incertain. Gallimard/Seuil.
Shapiro C. et H.R. Varian (1999), Economie de l'information, De Boeck.
Throsby, D. (2001). Economics and culture. Cambridge University Press.
Thuillas, O., & Wiart, L. (2023). Les plateformes à la conquête des industries culturelles. Presses universitaires de Grenoble.
Towse, R. (2010). A textbook of cultural economics. Cambridge University Press.

Course notes

• Université virtuelle

Additional information

A 5-credit course offered in the first quarter. The estimated workload of 125 to 150 hours includes in-person sessions, readings, preparation and conduct of the survey, oral presentations, study, and the exam. All group members must be present for both oral presentations. An unexcused absence from an assessed activity results in a grade of 0 for that activity. The detailed outline and submission instructions will be available on the course platform starting with the first class session.
Use of Generative AI Tools. In accordance with ULB’s institutional framework, the use of generative AI tools is prohibited for assessments in this course, except in the following explicitly authorized cases: linguistic assistance for a text written by the student (spelling, grammar, rephrasing) and preliminary research, provided that the sources are consulted, verified, and cited by the student. Any content taken from an AI tool must be disclosed, including the tool, version, and date of use. The use of an AI tool to generate the components of the assessed competency (survey questions, case analysis, content of a mind map or presentation, exam answers) is prohibited. The teaching team may orally question students about their approach and sources; records of interactions with the tools used must be retained until the results are announced. Any use contrary to these rules constitutes assessment fraud, which is penalized in accordance with the General Academic Regulations.
Plagiarism. Any borrowed idea, data, or wording must be cited, including in a mind map or presentation material. The course’s citation standards are those of the APA. Plagiarism is penalized in accordance with the General Academic Regulations.

Contacts

Louis Wiart (louis.wiart@ulb.be)
Cassandre Burnier (cassandre.burnier@ulb.be)
Assistant : Geoffroy Dewandeler (Geoffroy.Dewandeler@ulb.be)

Campus

Solbosch

Method(s) of evaluation

• written examination
• Project
• Portfolio
• Oral presentation

written examination

• Open question with developed answer

Project

Portfolio

Oral presentation

Language(s) of evaluation

• french