Programme Specification for Global Media MA
|
Final award |
MA |
|
Intermediate awards available |
Postgraduate Diploma; Postgraduate Certificate |
|
UCAS code |
N/A |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
N/A |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
May 2012 |
Profile
The summary - programme advertising leaflet
Programme content
This exciting and challenging programme offers an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the media within a global framework.
Global Media at UEL
The global media is a crucial component in the formation of the ‘new world order’, where contemporary geo-political events are increasingly integrated into the ideologies and discourses of a trans-national media culture. The programme critically examines a wide range of media including television, cinema, print, the internet and new digital media technologies.
Admission requirements
Applicants will normally have a first or upper second class degree or equivalent, or comparable professional or research experience. Applications from overseas and EU students are welcome. Students whose first language is not English should normally have achieved a score of 6.0 in IELTS or equivalent. Eligibility for students without degree-equivalent qualifications will be assessed on the basis of a short essay and statement. Places will be offered after a successful interview with a member of the programme team.
Programme structure
Students taking the Global Media programme will do the foundation module, two options, a Research Methods module and a Dissertation module. Students are invited to select, by negotiation, one option per semester.
Dissertations are submitted at the end of September.
Full-time students take five modules over a single year; part-time students complete five modules over two year.
Learning environment
The programme offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches. Lectures, seminars and presentations are employed; and depending on options selected, practice-based work, externals visits and field trips are offered.
Assessment
Programme assessment is normally by essays, seminar presentation, research projects, media practice and a dissertation, which may include a production component. There are no exams.
Relevance to work/profession
Students may, by negotiation, select a work placement option based in London with a media organisation.
Thesis/Dissertation/project work
Students have considerable opportunities to purse project work on the MA Global Media programme through essay work and in particular, the dissertation module. It will enable them to pursue specific topics of interest and gain in-depth knowledge and research specialism.
Your future career
Students will enhance their opportunities to work in the media and cultural industries, particularly those operating in an international context. The programme also provides a solid basis to pursue further postgraduate and doctoral research.
How we support you
Students are offered tutorial support in following their research interests. In particular, they will be offered expert supervision for their dissertation study. This also includes critical work from practice-based media work and work-placement learning.
Bonus factors
- The integration of global theory and critical media practice
- Work placement option allows students to gain valuable experience in one of the numerous international media organisations in London
- Studying in the School of Cultural and Innovation Studies which has been awarded a '5' rating in the 1996 and 2001 HEFCE Research Training Assessment Exercise and and excellent in its last Teaching Quality Audit
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Engage with key contemporary debates in the field of the Global MediaApply this
- Develop your critical understanding in the area of the Global Media
- Apply this understanding to range of concrete examples
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- You will have acquired an understanding of key concepts associated with studying media globalisation
- An understanding of the role of the media in globalising processes
- A grasp of the complexity of media globalisation in relation to its modalities of power
Thinking skills
- Be able to critically reflect upon your understanding in the analysis of the globalisation of the media
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches to studying media globalisation
- Develop an analytic approach to tackle difficult political questions concerning the global media
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Study a topic at an in-depth level through a research project
- Have the opportunity to develop a critical media practice and research skills
- Enhance your understanding of production processes, and develop appropriate skills and conceptual thinking, to create alternative forms of media culture
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Enhance your presentation and written skills
- Develop an excellent understanding of political, social, cultural, economic and technological processes operating in the world today
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 180 credits.
Typical duration
The typical duration of this programme is one year full-time or two years part-time. It is possible to move from full-time to part-time study and vice-versa to accommodate any external factors such as financial constraints or domestic commitments.
How the teaching year is divided
The teaching year for a full-time student begins in September and ends in June. A dissertation will be completed by the following September. A part-time student will study the equivalent of 60 credits (2 modules) in the first year and 120 credits in the second year (three modules, including the dissertation).
What you will study when
A typical full-time student will take five 30 credit module, and one 60 credit Dissertation module in a year.
| Year | Module Title | Semester | Credits | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
F/T 1 |
Global Media: An Introduction |
A |
30 |
Core |
|
F/T 1 |
Research Methods |
B |
30 |
Core |
|
F/T 1 |
Option |
A |
30 |
Option |
|
F/T 1 |
Option |
B |
30 |
Option |
|
F/T1 |
Dissertation |
Summer |
60 |
Core |
|
P/T 1 |
Global Media: An Introduction |
A |
30 |
Core |
|
P/T 1 |
Option |
B |
30 |
Option |
|
P/T 2 |
Option |
A |
30 |
Option |
|
P/T 2 |
Research Methods |
B |
30 |
Core |
|
P/T 2 |
Dissertation |
Summer |
60 |
Core |
The following are the core and optional requirements for the MA Global Media programme
| LEVEL | TITLE | CREDITS | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
|
M |
Global Media: An Introduction |
30 |
Core |
|
M |
Research Methods and Approaches |
30 |
Core |
|
M |
Dissertation |
60 |
Core |
|
M |
Globalisation, Media and Policy in the Digital Age |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Introduction to forced Migration |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Media Technology and the Global Economy |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Media Production |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Urban Film: Race, Nation, and the Cinematic Body |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Postcolonial Cultures |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Digital Cultures |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Work Practices in the Media Industries |
30 |
Option |
|
M |
Advertising and Media Culture |
30 |
University Wide Option |
Requirements for gaining an award
- In order to gain a Postgraduate Certificate, you will need to obtain 60 credits at Level M.
- In order to gain a Postgraduate Diploma, you will need to obtain 120 credits at Level M
- In order to obtain a Masters, you will need to obtain 180 credits at Level M. These credits will include a 60 credit level M core module of advanced independent research.
Masters Award Classification
Where a student is eligible for an Masters award then the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimals points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
60% - 69% |
Merit |
|
50% - 59% |
Pass |
|
0% - 49% |
Not Passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge
- You will have acquired an understanding of key concepts associated with studying media globalisation
- An understanding of the role of the media in globalising processes
- A grasp of the complexity of media globalisation in relation to its modalities of power
Thinking skills
- Be able to critically reflect upon your understanding in the analysis of the globalisation of the media
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the different approaches to studying media globalisation
- Develop an analytic approach to tackle difficult political questions concerning the global media
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Study a topic at an in-depth level through a research project
- Have the opportunity to develop a critical media practice and research skills
- Enhance your understanding of production processes, and develop appropriate skills and conceptual thinking, to create alternative forms of media culture
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Enhance your presentation and written skills
- Develop an excellent understanding of political, social, cultural, economic and technological processes operating in the world today
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- Essay coursework
- Seminars
- Presentations
Thinking skills are assessed by
- Essay coursework
- Critical Reviews
- Seminars
- Presentations
Practical skills are assessed by
- Research Project
- Seminars
- Production based work (if applicable)
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- Presentations
- Seminars
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme;
- adequate resources would be in place;
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate;
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements;
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements;
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms.
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academic experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at School level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the University’s Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years an in-depth review of the whole field is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the University's quality assurance procedures
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- Module evaluations
- Student representation on programme committees (meeting once very semester)
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- Circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- Providing details on the programme notice board
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- Questionnaires to former students
- Placements Officer
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about the MA Cultural Studies programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- Module study guides: http://www.uel.ac.uk/cultural-innovation/
- UEL Manual of Regulations and Policies http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/
- UEL Quality Manual http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/manual
- Regulations for the Academic Framework http://www.uel.ac.uk/academicframework/
- Departmental web pages http://www.uel.ac.uk/adi
- Visit our gallery of student work here: http://www.uel.ac.uk/adi/showcase/studentwork/
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
