MA-Postgraduate Diploma-Postgraduate Certificate Cultural and Media Studies
ObjectivesThis vibrant postgraduate award is taught by a group of leading academics within the field. Drawing on expertise across our research programmes within the School, our distinctive MA seeks to highlight the inter-relations between the study of 'the media' and the study of 'culture'. The study of cultural contexts and forms, cultural histories and methods of research, provides students with the intellectual tools with which to engage in a wide-ranging analysis of the roles that media institutions and their practices play in the culture of everyday life. The MA attracts students from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures, and students can opt to take the degree as a two year part-time, or as a one year full-time programme of study. We work to equip students with a range of systematic, imaginative and inventive research practices. On top of this, and as the fuel that will drive research, we immerse our students in the debates at both the centre and the cutting edge of cultural and media studies. This award is supported by a cluster of research programmes within the School - Gender and Culture, Cultural History, Play, Games and New Media, and Film Research. Key MA staff are engaged in the organisation of regular public seminars and symposia that our postgraduate students are encouraged to attend. School members have recently been involved in an ESRC funded seminar series entitled New Femininities: Postfeminism and Sexual Citizenship. MA Staff members will also be running a series of Day Schools addressing topical issues in the field of cultural and media studies. This year the topics are 'Representations of Older Women' and 'Sex in Film and Television'.
Entry requirementsApplicants normally have a first or upper second class honours degree in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Media, Film, Television or Communication Studies. However, if you have a good lower second degree, you should consult the Programme Leader before making a formal application. If you are considered for a place, you may be required to attend an interview
Academic titleMA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate Cultural and Media Studies
Course descriptionContent
The course is divided into two kinds of module. Core course modules provide the context for establishing the distinctive practices that characterise cultural and media studies. In these core modules we work through a number of issues and theories that have become centrally identified with the field of cultural studies. While some of these theories will be complex and abstract, our task is to put them into practice in the analysis of concrete cultural/media material.
The special subject modules provide the space for in-depth analysis of specific topics and problems. They also provide a chance for you to become involved in research practices on the cutting edge of the field of cultural and media studies.
All students take the two core course modules and two special subjects. One of the special subjects must be selected from Cultural and Media Studies but you have the option of selecting the second special subject from the fields of English, Film or History. At the end of the first year (full-time students) or at the end of the second year (part-time students), you are required to write a dissertation of approximately 15,000 words.
Full time
From October to February you will take a core course module: Critical Debates in Cultural and Media Studies,and one special subject module. From February to June you take the second core module, Media Cultures: Research and Analysis, and one special subject module. You also begin your dissertation, which is submitted towards the end of August.
Part time
From October to February you will take a core course: Critical Debates in Cultural and Media Studies. From February to June you take special subject modules. In October to February of your second year you will take a second special subject module and in February to June of the second year you take the core module Media Cultures: Research and Analysis, and begin your dissertation which is submitted in the following January.
Special subject modules may be drawn from the following:
-Feminist Critical Approaches
-Reel Lives
-Political Economy of Creative and Media Industries
-New Media, Culture and Technology
-Game Culture
-Journalism and Democracy
-Online Journalism
In addition you will be required to complete a 15,000 word dissertation, which will be supported by individual supervision.
Teaching and learning
Students are expected to attend all sessions for each module. In addition, tutorial advice is available from relevant members of staff by individual negotiation.
Assessment
Assessment is module-based and varies according to the particular concerns and learning objectives in each of the modules. Forms of assessment include seminar papers, presentations, essays, small-scale research projects, critical biographies and textual analyses.
The dissertation is based on individual research and is usually presented in written form (15,000 words). Dissertations are individually supervised and are supported by the second core module. An MA with distinction shall be awarded to students of exceptional merit.
Students who are also invited to participate in regular research seminars organised within the School of Cultural Studies.