The Media, Culture & Society Independent Research Project (SPS5058P) 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)

None

None.

This course is assessed by:

1) a policy brief of 6-7,000 words (60%); 

2) a poster presentation (25%), 

3) an individual essay of 2000 words reflecting on each student's experience, development and learning outcomes in delivering the project (15%).

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.