2020/21 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

COMM5135M Critical Issues in Media and Communication

30 creditsClass Size: 95

Module manager: Nancy Thumim
Email: N.Thumim@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: 1 May to 30 Sep, Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2020/21

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
(1) Understanding of the academic research process; including the relationship between research rationale, theory, method and analysis.
(2) Understanding of the nature and requirements of academic research
(3) Understanding how to effectively present research (In written and/or oral form)

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	7.00	7.00
Lecture	5	1.00	5.00
Seminar	11	1.00	11.00
Private study hours			277.00
Total Contact hours			23.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

Students should dedicate the following times to activities outside of class:
Seminar preparation – 55 hours
Group project – 100 hours
Presentation preparation 25 hours
Individual research proposal – 90 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Progress will be monitored weekly in seminars

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Group Project	15 minute presentation	30.00
Project	Proposal 1 x 2,800 - 3,200 words	70.00
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 individual literature review on a new topic.

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 25/01/2021

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