Cultural and Media Studies

In year 1, you'll gain the fundamental skills and knowledge for analysing and interpreting cultural and media practices. Compulsory modules will introduce key theories and critical approaches, and examine some of the major factors that have shaped the contemporary world, such as technology, revolution, war, colonisation, and media.

In year 2, a compulsory module deepens your understanding of key theoretical concepts in the study of culture, media and society. A range of optional modules will give you the chance to focus on topics that particularly interest you, including visual culture in Asia, cinema and culture, the politics of utopia, and issues of the body, power, race and gender, as well as the challenges of studying media and communication.

In your final year, you’ll apply your research and critical skills to an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will complement and support this research with a compulsory module and optional modules. You can choose to extend your dissertation to go into even greater depth; if you do this, you’ll take fewer optional modules.

Course structure

These are typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Modules Year 1

Compulsory modules

• Introduction to Cultural Analysis 1 20 credits
• Introduction to Cultural Analysis II 20 credits
• Cultural History 20 credits
• Cinema and Media History 20 credits
• Studying Media 20 credits
• Studying in a Digital Age (Fine Art, History of Art & Cultural Studies) 5 credits

Year 2

Compulsory modules

• Keywords 20 credits

For more information on typical modules, read Cultural and Media Studies BA in the course catalogue

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. This course gives you the opportunity to broaden your learning by studying discovery modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a range of teaching and learning methods to help you benefit from the expertise of your tutors. These will include lectures, seminars, screenings, tutorials, workshops and field visits. You’ll also be able to attend talks by visiting artists and speakers, as well as workshops, conferences, exhibitions and other events.

Independent study is also crucial to the degree, allowing you to develop important critical and research skills and to form your own ideas.

Assessment

You’ll be assessed using a variety of methods, allowing you to build different skills. Usually these will include essays, exams and module presentations, as well as small-scale research projects and your dissertation.