Media and Communications BA (Hons)

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This Media and Communications course runs in 2016/17.

This course responds and develops every day to the challenge of what it means to be a media professional in 21st Century. Our course is continually evolving, with input from world-leading experts, researchers, practitioners and industry professionals.

This course is designed to produce graduates who will be at the forefront of a wide range of careers within
the media and cultural industries. You will focus on
the emerging areas of social, open and mobile media, alongside the rapidly transforming established media. This course has a distinctive international scope, which can enable you to study, gain professional experience and take part in research projects abroad.

If you choose this course you will benefit from:

• Dedicated, flexible learning environments that are designed for the future;

• a mobile technology pack, tailored to your course - a high quality laptop equipped with tailored pro-sumer software (terms and conditions apply);
• the opportunity to meet world-leading experts in new media and traditional media;
• experienced teaching staff who are leading scholarship in their fields and who bring their research or professional expertise into your classes;
• the opportunity to take part in research projects in cities all over Europe and beyond and become a 21st Century media professional pro-sumer (a media producer, distributor and consumer);
• the option of applying for invaluable experience of working, or studying abroad, on a year long placement;
• the opportunity to review our world cinema premieres, and use social networks, blogs and mobile media to make your views heard around the world;
• an active engagement in live and professional media and cultural projects with your fellow students and with staff who are active in research and practice;
• the School's international links, e.g. with Zhejiang University of Media and Communications (ZUMC) in China and Jean Moulin University, Lyon, France where we have sent students on extended study periods;
• access to pro-sumer media equipment via our dedicated Media Loan Shop.

Over the course of the three years you will cover the key areas of: new media, global and international contexts of media and culture, historical context, theoretical context, media and cultural research, and media and cultural production.

In your first year you will cover the above key areas of theory and learn about how to apply them to practical examples of the media. You will also learn the essentials of how to research.

In the second and final year you will cover more areas of the media in depth, such as: Research and Methodology, Sound and Music in the Digital World, Digital Screen Cultures or Cultural and Semiotic Analysis of Advertising, Transcultural Film, Communication Practice or Experimental Narrative.

At the end of the second year you will have the option to apply for a placement or study abroad year before completing a global digital media study and a major project or dissertation in your final year.

Your course will be based on a series of lectures, with associated seminars, workshop practical classes. In addition, your personal tutor will review and discuss your progress with you and will be available for advice.

An estimated percentage breakdown of how your final grade is assessed is as follows: coursework, essays 35%; research projects 25%; practical project work 20%; group work etc.10%; presentations, posters etc.10%.

A compulsory Add+vantage module must also be completed: please see the page on the Add+vantage scheme for more details.

In a typical week you will have up to 15 contact hours of teaching and this will break down as:

Personal tutorial/small group teaching: 1 hours of tutorials (or, later, individual project supervision) each week

Medium group teaching: 11 hours of seminars, workshops or practical classes each week

Large group teaching: 3 hours of lectures each week

Personal study: 20 hours each week studying and revising in your own time - including guided study using handouts, online activities etc.