Integrated Degree in Media & Communications (including Foundation Year)

What you'll study Overview Your foundation year is structured into the following three areas: Media practice Media practice gives you the opportunity to create small-scale projects in TV and video, radio, video animation and photography. Working in teams or individually, you will work through your ideas from conception to finished product. You will begin to develop production skills and to understand the importance of teamwork and the sharing of ideas. You are taught in groups for TV and video, radio and video animation and individually for photography. These are ‘taster’ modules taught by highly experienced tutors and technicians in studio settings. An Introduction to Media and Cultural Theory Media and cultural theory offers an introduction to theories of the media and culture, providing you with a basic theoretical map of ideas of certain key thinkers in the field. The module introduces you to some of the concepts required for the study of the media and you will gain some understanding of the sociological impact of the mass media particularly through issues relating to class, gender and race and ethnicity. Study Skills Writing for academic purposes is a vital part of university life and this module helps you get started. Study Skills sessions cover aspects such as how to unpack an essay question; how to get organised; how to read and make notes; how to reference; how to cite your source material and how to compile a bibliography. Teaching style This programme is taught through a mixture of lectures, seminars, screenings and workshops. You’ll also be expected to undertake independent study. This includes carrying out required and additional reading, preparing topics for discussion, and producing essays or project work. The following information gives an indication of the typical proportions of learning and teaching for each year of this programme*: Year 0 - 17% scheduled learning, 83% independent learning. Year 1 - 20% scheduled learning, 80% independent learning. Year 2 - 18% scheduled learning, 82% independent learning. Year 3 - 18% scheduled learning, 82% independent learning. How you’ll be assessed You’ll be assessed through a combination of essays, project work, production logs, examinations and study skills coursework. Extensive study and writing support is available throughout the programme in small group and one to one sessions. The following information gives an indication of how you can typically expect to be assessed on each year of this programme*: Year 0 - 50% coursework, 25% written exam, 25% practical. Year 1 - 75% coursework, 25% practical. Year 2 - 100% coursework. Year 3 - 100% coursework. *Please note that these are averages are based on enrolments for 2016/17. Each student’s time in teaching, learning and assessment activities will differ based on individual module choices. Final assessment The pass mark for this course is 50%, however students must achieve 60% in all sections of the programme to proceed onto BA Media and Communications. Students achieving between 50%-60% will be awarded the Goldsmiths Foundation Certificate in Media and Communications. Download the programme specification , for the 2018-19 intake. If you would like an earlier version of the programme specification, please contact the Quality Office. Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.