Study Details: MSc 1 year full time
How do the media shape culture and society?
This well established course offers students an interdisciplinary approach to the study of new media and communications practices.
It focuses on a critical understanding of the rapid changes in media and communications and their social and cultural consequences within an international context. Students have the opportunity to meet professionals working in the broadcast, advertising and marketing industries and we also organise field trips (eg to the BBC TV Centre).
The course combines theoretical and empirical study of the media including issues of media audiences together with the study of developments in information and communication technologies. The department scored highly in the 2008 RAE exercise with a rating that made it the top department of its size in the UK. We have a long tradition of research in Sociology and Communications and all of our staff are research active.
The course will meet the needs of advanced students with backgrounds in media, sociology and other relevant disciplines, as well as professionals in the communications/broadcast industry seeking to gain a more sociologically informed understanding of those industries.
This course is taught by leading academics in Sociology and Communications. Throughout our research we aim to tackle core theoretical questions and also engage with the international community and relevant groups of practitioners in industry, government and the wider public. Recent research projects include: mass media coverage of young people and politics; free speech and the public sphere; file-sharing and live streaming; health and science communication; public involvement in health policy; multiculturalism and institutional racism; the anti-globalisation movement, the media and ‘new wars’. See the departmental personal web pages.
Where possible we invite professionals who are working in the media and broadcast industry (advertising and marketing; television documentary and different PR organisations) to come and talk to our students and offer careers advice. We have also organised a field trip to BBC Television Centre in West London. Students are invited to our academic research seminar programme and to attend our of term social events.
Normally a good Honours degree from a UK institution; preferably in the field of sociology; media; communications; or information; an equivalent overseas qualification or an equivalent professional qualification.
Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.
Fees for 2012/13 entry:
Home/EU students: £5,060 full-time, £2,530 part-time
International students: £12,650 full-time, £6,325 part-time
For funding opportunities see: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/courses/pg/funding
Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.
Careers
Students typically go on to further advanced academic research or to pursue careers within the media industries (e.g. press/communications officer; Head of Information). Past students have worked in developing countries for NGO’s or as technology consultants.
Modules are subject to variation and students are advised to check with the School on whether a particular module of interest will be running in their year of entry.
Creative Industries
This module explores the significance of creative industries and how they operate in various spheres of social life. The module focuses on how the notion of ‘creativity’ has emerged in the economy and society, its ideological significance, and the positive and negative consequences it has brought for society. Particular topics addressed are the rise of the creative class, the symbolic economy, immaterial labour, gentrification of cities, and advertising and branding.
Making Web Cultures
This module provides students with an informed and practical understanding of the significance of contemporary computer-mediated communications and its everyday uses. It focuses on how the internet is a key site for understanding transformations in new media. A unique aspect of the module enables students to both study and practically make use of the social media being explored. Topics include: the characteristics of online social networks; analysing social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Blogging culture; use of web technologies for collaboration, e.g. Wikis; surveillance and privacy.
Media Audiences
Main topics of study: theoretical approaches to media audiences, gender and genre: cross-national and ‘subversive’ audiences; domestic technologies; media power and ‘minority’ readings; media production and audiences; television audiences and contemporary public issues (news and politics, health and illness, sexual violence); media effects/ influence debates; ‘active’ audience theory.
Qualitative Methods in Social and Cultural Research
Main Topics of Study: conceptual and practical issues in qualitative research design; Interview research; research in and on the Internet; media analysis: research in practice; approaches to qualitative data analysis; planning and writing a dissertation.
Global Media
Main Topics of Study: The clash of civilisations, the alternative media, national identity and the media, the digital divide,
Popular Culture
Main Topics of Study:Celebrity and popular culture, pornography, advertising, the cultural industries, media markets.
Issues and Controversies in Media and Communications
Main Topics of Study: Media ethics, media and moral panics, media power, media effects.
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