Entry requirements
The normal requirement is a good honours degree in any subject but applicants are also welcome from those who with substantial experience in the media, information services or the communication sectors. If your first language is not English you must show evidence that your command of the English Language is suitable for entry to Postgraduate study. You would be expected to have one of the following English Language qualifications: * A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by the University as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia, Canada or the USA. * GCE O-level/GCSE English language or English literature, grade C minimum. * Cambridge ESOL CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) at grade C or above. * An overall score of 6.5 in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum of 6.0 for each subtest. Cass Business School, Law and Journalism require a minimum score of 7.0 overall, with a 7.0 in Writing and a minimum of 6.5 for each of the Reading and Listening subtests. * A score of 600 minimum (computer score 250) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Cass Business School, Law and Journalism require a minimum score of 620 (computer score 260). * Satisfactory standard in the verbal section of the Princeton Test (GMAT). * US SAT with 500 in verbal performance. * Warwick English Language Test (WELT) with pass grades of BBC minimum. * Other evidence of proficiency in the English language which satisfies the board of studies concerned.
Course description
Communication is integral to development programmes. At a time when ideas about freedom of expression, democracy, human rights and access to natural and material resources guide development programmes across the world the question about the role of media and communications for and in development becomes ever more pertinent.
This interdisciplinary and innovative programme provides an interdisciplinary framework to understand and critically assess the role of communication for and in development projects. Development is taken as a contested concept that translates into programmes for advocating democratic forms of participation, policy initiatives and training activities in media and communications sectors in different geographical regions.
The programme focuses on the relationship between communication, development and democracy. Through the range of options available students will also gain a general knowledge of media and communication studies within the context of globalisation; the work of international organisations and non-governmental organisations in development communication; political communication; media representation; media audiences; communications policy; and trans-national media systems.
The programme will be of interest to students with a general interest in communication studies and cross disciplinary interests in development studies, sociology and politics.
You could benefit from this programme if you are:
* wanting to develop an understanding of international communications and trends in development communication
* needing specialist knowledge on development communication
* an administrator or field worker in an aid agency
* looking for a job in communications and development
* wanting a general knowledge of media and communication issues
Modules: International Communications and Development
Students complete six taught modules from a combination of three compulsory core and three elective modules. Students also take part in a dissertation workshop and produce a dissertation over the summer period.
Core Modules
*
Communication, culture and development (SGM223)
*
Democratisation, information and communication (SGM009)
*
Approaches to social research (SGM222)
*
Sociology Dissertation (SGM111)
Elective Modules (choose three from this list)
*
Issues in media and communications research (SMG230)
*
Media and communication theories (SGM003)
*
Transnational media and communication (SGM100)
*
Developments in communications policy (SGM002)
*
Representation and reception (SGM011)
*
International communications and conflict (SGM008)
*
Media and human rights (SGM224)
*
Media information markets (SGM001)
*
Surveillance studies: theories and concepts (SGM237)
*
Surveillance studies: processes and practices (SGM238)
*
Feminisms and the media: representation, technology and change (SGM239)
*
Analysing media discourses (SGM202)
*
International organisations in global politics (IPM005)
*
NGOs, human rights and the United Nations system (IPM006)
NB. Elective modules choices are subject to availability and timetabling constraints.
Mode of Study
Students may take the MA programme on a full or part time basis.
Duration
Teaching is delivered in the format of lectures, classes and seminars, taking place in the first and second academic periods (September-April).
Full-time students will normally attend for two or three days a week, and complete their dissertation in the third academic period.
Part-time students will normally attend for one or two days each week for two years. In the first year they will take two core modules in the first academic period and two optional modules in the second academic period. In the second year they will take one core module in the second academic period, one optional module in the second academic period and complete their dissertation.
Dissertation
The dissertation of 15,000 words carries 40% of the total marks towards the MA degree. Full time students should present their dissertations by September of the year following entrance.
The weighting of the marks is as follows:
Continuous assessment (coursework) 60%
Dissertation 40%
