Media and Communication BSc (Hons)

What you'll study

Our Media and Communication BSc (Hons) degree covers three key elements:

Historical and contemporary developments across a broad range of media and communication sectors: press, broadcasting, film, advertising and digital media.

Key theories that will enable you to understand how media and communication contribute to the construction of meaning, how they influence our understanding of who we are, and how they shape modern societies.

Hands-on training in analytical skills relevant to a variety of jobs in media and cultural industries, such as interviewing, focus groups, content analysis, industry and audience data analysis.

The information below reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. Please see Terms and Conditions of Study for more information.

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Final year

Year 1

Semester 1 & 2

Introduction to Research Methods Core

Introduction to Research Methods

The aim is to introduce students to selected research methods and analytical techniques used in social science research.

Foundation in Social Sciences Core

Foundation in Social Sciences

The aim of this module is to introduce the key skills necessary for social science students, introduce a selection of key debates in the field, and enable you familiarise yourself with a range of resources and forms of support offered to social science students both within the Department and across the University.

University Wide Language Options Optional

University Wide Language Options

French, German, Spanish or Mandarin.

Semester 1

Introduction to Media and Communication: Contemporary Trends and Issues Core

Introduction to Media and Communication: Contemporary Trends and Issues

The aim of this module is to provide a general understanding and appreciation of the role and influence of the media. The focus is on the various challenges and changes that have shaped the development of various sectors comprising the industry. More broadly the module provides an introduction to debates relating to the economic, political and cultural power and significance of the media, both traditional and digital.

Constructing Meanings: Texts and Audiences Core

Constructing Meanings: Texts and Audiences

The aim of this module is to introduce the major approaches to the study of media audiences and influence, and the main qualitative approaches to analysing mass media 'texts' - as broadly conceived.

Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities Optional

Introduction to Sociology: Identities and Inequalities

The aims of this module are for the student (a) to become familiar with the discipline of sociology through a study of sociological theories and concepts and their application, and (b) to develop a sociological way of thinking.

Ideas and Controversies in Psychology Optional

Ideas and Controversies in Psychology

The aim of the module is for students to be introduced to, and engage in, debates around controversial issues in Psychology.

Introduction to Democratic Government Optional

Introduction to Democratic Government

The aim of this module is to explore the main variants of democratic government and to introduce students to various institutions and actors in liberal democracies.

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A Optional

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A

This module introduces criminology and social policy through a range of issues, case study examples and topical debates.

Geographies of Global Economic Change Optional

Geographies of Global Economic Change

The aims of this module are to provide students with an historical and geographical overview of the political and economic processes that have culminated in contemporary global change, and to familiarise them with the more important writers and texts in these areas.

Semester 2

Introduction to Critical Viewings Core

Introduction to Critical Viewings

The aims of this module are to examine the processes through which moving images make meaning and the economic, social and political factors that influence the production of meaning. The module also discusses the interpretation of moving images and how artistic traditions and conventions influence the production and reception of meaning.

Media Landscapes Core

Media Landscapes

The aims of this module are to present the basic facts and features of the UK and global media landscapes and illustrate the specific requirements of working in the media.

Introduction to Media and Communication: Historical Debates and Perspectives Optional

Introduction to Media and Communication: Historical Debates and Perspectives

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding and appreciation of the history, role and influence of media such as the press, cinema, photography, broadcasting and digital platforms. The focus is on the various challenges and changes that have shaped the development of these media in Britain as well as further afield. More broadly the module provides an introduction to the evolution of various debates and controversies relating to the economic, political and cultural power and significance of these influential phenomena.

Geographies of Identity Optional

Geographies of Identity

The aim of this module is to introduce students to key concepts in social and cultural geography, particularly ideas about the importance of space in the construction of social and cultural identities.

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B Optional

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B

This module introduces students to the development of welfare state by examining topical debates and case study examples of social policy in practice.

Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change Optional

Introduction to Sociology: Global, Social and Cultural Change

The aim of this module is to examine global, social and cultural change. The module discusses the discipline of sociology through the study of key issues and concepts of sociology in order to outline a sociological way of thinking.

Political Ideologies Optional

Political Ideologies

The aims of this module are to introduce students to the major ideological positions that have shaped modern politics, and its study; and to encourage students to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and enduring relevance of these ideologies to contemporary national and international politics.

Self and Identity Optional

Self and Identity

The module will introduce students to a range of psychological approaches to, and knowledge concerning, concepts of identity and the self.

Year 2

Semester 1 & 2

Advanced Research Methods Core

Advanced Research Methods

The aim is to introduce students to selected advanced research methods and analytical techniques used in social science research.

University Wide Language Options Optional

University Wide Language Options

French, German, Spanish or Mandarin.

Semester 1

Media Identity and Inequality Core

Media Identity and Inequality

The aim of this module is to appraise key concepts and theories that help understand modern media and communication and their involvement in constructing identity and exclusion.

Promotional Culture: Advertising, Public Relations and Society Core

Promotional Culture: Advertising, Public Relations and Society

The aim of this module is to:

• Examine the growth, work and significance of the promotional culture industries: advertising, public relations, market research and associated businesses;
• Critically assess the economic, social, political and cultural power and significance of these kinds of marketing communication.

Critical Viewings: Film Core

Critical Viewings: Film

The aim of this module is to discuss a range of influential and acclaimed 20th century films and to examine why these films have earned their reputation by analysing the wider social, political and historical changes acting on media.

British Politics Optional

British Politics

The aim of this module is to provide an understanding of the history, institutions, actors, processes and challenges of British Politics and Government.

Surveillance Society Optional

Surveillance Society

This module introduces students to the study of surveillance society. The module draws on key sociological concepts such as crime, power, inequality, social class, gender, race, ethnicity, the body, space, and globalization, to offer an analysis of the ways in which forms of surveillance pervade individuals' everyday lives, how they are utilised by agents of control, and how they are resisted.

Political Psychology Optional

Political Psychology

The aim of this module is for the student to acquire an understanding of the relationship between psychology, politics and society.

Semester 2

Media and Social Change Core

Media and Social Change

The aim of this module is to appraise key concepts and theories that help understand modern media and communication and their role in social and historical change and their role in constructing contemporary society and culture.

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy Optional

Drugs: Society, Politics and Policy

This module requires students to closely analyse key themes, concepts and theories relating to the control of illicit substances over space and time.

Media, Culture and Crime Optional

Media, Culture and Crime

The aims of this module are to examine the relationship between media, culture and crime and to explore media representations of crime and criminal behaviour as well as criminal justice agencies.

Religion and Society Optional

Religion and Society

The aim of this module is to introduce students to main themes and perspectives on the relationship between religion and society, including historical and contemporary analyses of religious belief and practice related to individuals, groups and states.

The Media in Global Context Optional

The Media in Global Context

• Introduce students to the different theoretical perspectives underpinning the study of the media in the international environment, before examining specific aspects of global communication.
• Analyse and summarise existing arguments and critically evaluate evidence provided in course material.
• Acquire knowledge of key concepts, issues and debates within the literature.

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors Optional

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors

The aims of this module are to:

• Examine the historical context of criminology and the importance of women's contributions to the study of crime.