Researching Media and Culture
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| CULT2015 | Cultural, Media and Visual Studies | 2 | 20 | Full Year UK |
- Code
- CULT2015
- School
- Cultural, Media and Visual Studies
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Full Year UK
Summary
This module will introduce students to the key issues and approaches at stake in researching media and culture, familiarising them with a sample of qualitative and quantitative methods for investigating interdisciplinary research topics. Students will be expected to identify their own topic of research and to select and reflect upon the appropriateness of particular methods to their subject.
A single coursework assessment will replace all failed assessment components at the reassessment stage.
Target Students
Only available to students in Film and Television Studies and International Media and Communication Studies. Also available for CMVS Exchange students.
Classes
- One 3-hour workshop each week for 3 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 11 weeks
The School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies operates an attendance policy. The details of this policy can be found in the student handbook on Workspace and in module handbooks. In semester 1 there will be a weekly 2 hour lecture. In semester 2, there will be 6 weeks of 3 hour workshops. Random weeks.
Assessment
- 100% Coursework: Coursework - 3,000 words portfolio of written work and equivalent
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
• To familiarize students with the wide range of interdisciplinary approaches to knowledge production. • To encourage students to make informed decisions regarding the appropriateness of particular methodological approaches to concrete communications contexts.• To enable students to identify, plan, and carry out a communications research topic of their own choosing.Learning Outcomes
a) Knowledge and Understanding: This module will provide students with:
- an understanding of the varied and interdisciplinary methods used in researching media and culture
- an appreciation of the distinction between qualitative and quantitative methods and the uncertainties and limits of particular methodologies and theoretical approaches
- an awareness of the implications of technological, discursive and generic mediation upon communication processes
- an appreciation of the importance of audiences and contexts to the understanding of communications processes
- an understanding of the pragmatics of research processes.
b) Intellectual Skills: This module will encourage:
- the ability to identify an appropriate topic for investigation
- the ability to practically deploy specific research methods and tailor them to specific objectives of investigation
- verbal and written communication skills
- an appreciation of the ethical and political issues at stake in researching communications; self-reflection regarding processes of knowledge production.
c) Transferable (key) Skills: This module will encourage transferable skills such as:
- the ability to retrieve, analyse, and produce information
- the ability to organize, articulate and present specific research findings
- working autonomously and effectively to deadline
- confidence in exploring new and emerging issues and acquiring new competencies and skills.