Course Catalogue

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The Media, Culture & Society Independent Research Project serves as the major piece of independent study for the MSc Media, Culture and Society. This is a sustained piece of interdisciplinary research into a contemporary media event or organisation. The independent research project will consist of a portfolio in which students identify a media, culture & society theme, design and deliver a poster presentation on this topic (25%), write a 6-7000 word policy brief that includes a state-of-the-art literature review (60%) and policy recommendations, and a 2000 word essay reflecting on what they have learnt from this process (15%).

The Independent Research Project will help students develop key transferable skills such as problem solving, managing a complex array of competing demands and working effectively to deadlines.

3 x 2-hour seminars

1 x 3-hour lecture (Additional Supervision sessions equivalent to 4 hours will be included and may be offered as part of a group or individually)

Students should be enrolled on the MSc Media, Culture and Society and be able to meet progression requirements as stipulated in the programme regulations.

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The standard assessments for this course are:

■ Policy brief of 6-7,000 words - 60%

■ Poster presentation - 25%

■ Essay of 2000 words reflecting on each student's experience, development and learning outcomes in delivering the project - 15%

If required, for instance where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, the following alternatives are available:

■ There is no alternative to the policy brief, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the poster presentation, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

■ There is no alternative to the essay, but flexible deadlines can be offered as reasonable adjustments (students should follow the usual process for extensions)

Further reasonable adjustments may be provided where necessary. Students are encouraged to consult with the course convenor.

The aims of the course are to:

■ Apply relevant concepts, theories and methods to a project that investigates a key media, culture & society research theme.

■ Develop intellectual understanding, abilities and skills.

■ Enhance communication, cooperative and teamwork skills such as planning, management, leadership and peer support.

■ Encourage personal growth (self-esteem and self-confidence).

■ Enable reflective and reflexive practices (reviewing and reflecting, planning for the future).

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically analyse current issues in the relationship between media, culture and society

■ Systematically explain the benefits of an interdisciplinary (social sciences, arts and humanities) lens on the changing relationship between media, culture and society. 

■ Apply knowledge, skills and understanding in planning and executing a significant media research project.

■ Develop original and creative responses to media policy issues.

Engage with reflective and reflexive practices to identify and address personal strengths and weaknesses of undertaking a research project.