2016/17 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
COMM5135M Critical Issues in Media and Communication
30 creditsClass Size: 70
Module manager: Dr Nancy Thumim
Email: n.thumim@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2016/17
Pre-requisites
COMM5140M | Media and Communication Theory |
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
By the end of the module, students should be able:- to develop critical insights into major issues in the field of media and communications;
- to apply theoretical knowledge to contemporary issues;
- critically to analyse the relationship of media and communication theory to real-world issues;
- critically to evaluate key theoretical and analytical paradigms in media and communication theory.
Throughout the module students will exercise and develop skills in oral
presentation, teamwork, organization, and peer review, as well as their general academic and research capabilities.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students should be able to demonstrate:
(1) Understanding of the academic research process; including the ability to synthesize research rationale, theory, method and analysis.
(2) Understanding of the nature and requirements of working in an academic research team
(3) Understanding of the requirements of effective research presentation; written and oral
Skills outcomes
- Skills in the application and use of media and communication theory
- Skills in communicating media and communication research
- The ability to maintain a reflective record of the research process
Syllabus
The module requires students to use key theoretical ideas in media and communications in applied group research projects under the supervision of the module leader.
The module enables students to address contemporary issues and critically to engage with theory in a sustained way.
Group presentations in a formal academic style conference and individual essays together provide students with experience of two key modes of academic research presentation.
The module begins with a series of lectures which showcase the application of theory to critical issues and its presentation. These lectures are research led, drawing on research taking place in the School. Students then move on to develop their own interests through group research projects supported by a seminar leader.
Critical Issues explored in recent years include:
- Copyright and Creativity in the digital age
- Journalism in crisis: Leeds ecology project
- Audiences and Reality TV
- Mediation and Self-representation
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Workshop | 1 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Mini Conference | 1 | 7.00 | 7.00 |
Group learning | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
Lecture | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
Seminar | 9 | 1.00 | 9.00 |
Private study hours | 263.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 37.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 |
Private study
Students are expected to dedicate the following approximate times to study activities:- Seminar preparation: 45 hours
- Group research project preparation: 100 hours
- Presentation preparation: 35 hours
- Blog contributions: 5 hours
- Individual research report preparation: 75 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Research groups meet regularly with the module leader and record their ongoing experience of the research process in a group blog on the VLE.Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Group Project | 30 Minutes presentation | 40.00 |
Report | 1 x 3,500 - 4000 words | 50.00 |
In-course Assessment | Evaluation of contribution to group project | 10.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 |
If a presentation receives a failing grade resulting in a module fail it can be replaced by a 3,500-4,000 word research report on a new individual topic.
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 23/08/2016
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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