This module enables students to gain an understanding of the structure of contemporary media industries and the position of media professionals within these. Students will develop an understanding of the distinctive features of media industries and the economic, political, regulatory and cultural factors which shape these. The module starts with an interrogation of key concepts, categories and debates and then moves through into detailed case studies of selected media industries and professional pathways. Students will be able to investigate particular media industries of their choice in their assessment. In addition, students will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the contemporary media workplace through undertaking a short period of work experience in a media organisation and use this as the basis for some of their assessment. Students will participate in a series of research methodology workshops, shared across all the media options, which will equip them with the skills required to conduct their own independent research assignment.
This module is taught through a series of two-hour lecture/workshops that foreground key concepts, approaches and debates. They will familiarise students with a range of academic approaches to the study of media industries generally and equip them with the key concepts they will need for further study. Guided reading of scholarly and industry sources together with directed research tasks will form the basis for discussion. These lectures will also introduce a minimum of two case studies of specific media industries to explore.
Additionally, workshops will be used to support students' search for work experience and provide guidance on the writing of CVs, covering letters and interview techniques. A workshop format will also be used to prepare students for report writing. Students' learning outside of class time will be supported through use of online learning resources such as formative MCQs and reflective blogs during work experience.
In the second teaching block, there will be focused research sessions to equip students with the skills and competencies necessary to undertake a short independent research assignment. Students will attend individual and group tutorials to support their individual research and take part in work in progress seminars where they will present their work to their peers for review and feedback.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures, seminars and workshops | 66 |
| Guided independent study | reading, research, exploration of the field, work experience. | 234 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The assessment strategy is designed to enable students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of a contemporary media industry pathway. The first assignment requires students to develop a conceptual analysis of organisation, practice and change within a contemporary media pathway, concentrating on scholarly accounts and debates to frame the analysis. This assignment will include a formative presentation, which addresses the main concepts and issues dealt with in the assignment. The second assessment takes the form of a report of a particular media organisation or professional role within a student's chosen pathway. It will require a synthesis of scholarly perspectives with industry accounts, data and observations. Students who elect to complete a short period of work experience in their chosen pathway, will produce a reflective report of their work experience. They will give short presentations on the key findings of their reports in advance of the final submission. Opportunities to practice and prepare the assessments and receive formative comments prior to submission will be tailored to each of the assessment tasks. Understanding of key concepts will be checked through MCQs.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate a critical understanding of the historical development and contemporary structure of media industries | Assessed formatively through the Formative presentation & summatively through the essay (40% ) |
| Assess the value of a range of critical approaches related to the study of media industries and cultures of media production | Assessed formatively through the Formative presentation & summatively through the essay (40% ) |
| Analyse particular media organisations and processes of media production within a chosen pathway utilising appropriate critical and conceptual tools | Researched Field Report OR Work Based Reflective Report (60%) |
| Utilise skills of research, presentation and evaluation in relation to the organisation and operation of a particular media industry pathway and its corresponding professionals | Researched Field Report OR Work Based Reflective Report (60%) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Essay (1,500 Words) | 40 |
| Coursework | Researched Field Report or Work Based Report (2,500 Words) | 60 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
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