Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Communication and Media Studies (entry prior to 2019)

Academic Year: 2019/20

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different) N/A
Owning school/department School of Social Sciences - pre 2019
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

N/A

Final award BSc/ BSc+DIntS / BSc+DPS
Programme title Communication and Media Studies
Programme code SSUB04
Length of programme BSc (Hons): 3 years full-time, BSc (Hons) DPS/DInts: 4 years full-time (including a 1 year placement)
UCAS code P910, P90A
Admissions criteria

BSc - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/p910

BSc+DIntS /DPS - http://www.lboro.ac.uk/p90a

Date at which the programme specification was published Mon, 01 Jul 2019 17:15:09 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of the communication and media analyst.
  • To provide students with the opportunity to study communication and media in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
  • To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of communication and media.
  • To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues in communication and media through specialist study and research.
  • To enable students to learn about the key concepts, theories and methods of communication and media.
  • To enable students to interpret and analyse communication/media processes and structures.
  • To enable students to compare different communication and media arrangements.
  • To enable students to address key issues in communication and media analysis and in society more generally.
  • To enable students to appreciate alternative perspectives in the social sciences.
  • To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

  • The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
  • Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
  • University Learning and Teaching Strategy
  • External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Communication and Media Studies 

 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

  • Knowledge of the major traditions of thought and analysis which have contributed to the study of media and communication. 
  • Knowledge of contemporary debates on appropriate frameworks and theories.
  • Knowledge of the major styles of research and investigation relevant to the study of media and communication, their strengths and weaknesses and epistemological underpinnings.
  • Understanding of the historical development of media and communicative practices and institutions.
  • Understanding of the inter-relations between media and communicative structures and practices and economic and political dynamics.
  • Understanding of how media organisations operate and of the ethical and policy issues posed by their practices. 
  • Understanding of the ways in which media and communicative forms construct the shared meanings that comprise public cultures and subcultures, and of the issues of representation these practices raise.
  • Understanding of the role of media and communication in the organisation of everyday life, social identities and belief systems.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

  • Draw on ideas from a range of domains and disciplines and combine them productively. 
  • Critically appraise prevailing understandings of contemporary developments in media and communication and contribute effectively to the debates surrounding them.
  • Formulate appropriate research questions and employ appropriate methods and resources in addressing them.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

  • Retrieve information from electronic and other sources and evaluate the materials collected critically. 
  • Demonstrate practical competence in using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods of research. 
  • Initiate, develop and realise a substantial self directed project (with appropriate guidance).
  • Participate effectively in group projects.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

  • Gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently and express them effectively in oral and written forms.
  • Organise and manage self-directed projects (with appropriate guidance).
  • Work individually, flexibly and independently showing self-discipline, self-direction and reflexivity. 
  • Work productively in a group or team, displaying at different times abilities to listen, contribute and lead effectively.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with relevant applications of Information Technology, including data analysis packages, and competence in using them. 
  • Deliver required work to a given length, format, brief and deadline. 
  • Consider and evaluate their own work in a reflexive manner.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code: SSUB04 (Pre 2019 entry)

This is a three-year long full-time degree programme. In each of the three parts (years) of the degree (A, B and C), students take modules amounting to 120 credits. In addition, students have the opportunity to undertake a Placement Year (Part I) after Part B.

Important Note: No module may be taken and passed more than once. Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may be subject to change.

 

Part A - Introductory Modules 

COMPULSORY MODULES (90 credits) - NO LONGER APPLICABLE TO PART A STUDENTS

Semester 1 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA301

Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Contemporary Trends & Issues 

10

SSA307

Constructing Meaning: Texts and Audiences

10

SSA305

Foundations in Social Sciences

10

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semester 2 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA302

Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Historical Themes & Perspectives

10

SSA306

Media Landscapes

10

SSA308

Introduction to Critical Viewings

10

  

 

 

 

 

 

Semester 1 and 2 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA009

Introduction to Research Methods

30

    

 

 

OPTIONAL MODULES 

In addition to the above compulsory modules, students MUST choose 30 modular weights-worth of optional modules:

Semester 1 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA001

Identities and Inequalities

10

SSA156

Self and Identity

10

SSA201

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy A

10

EUA620

The Contemporary World Arena

10

GYA004

Geographies of Global Economic Change

10

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semester 2 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSA002

Global, Social and Cultural Change

10

SSA158

Ideas and Controversies

10

SSA202

Introduction to Criminology & Social Policy B

10

EUA607

Understanding Demographic Institutions

10

GYA104

Geographies of Identity

10

  

 

 

 

 

Semesters 1 and 2 

Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the School of Social Sciences for inclusion in the programme, including languages in French, German, Spanish and Mandarin.

 

Part B - Degree Modules 

COMPULSORY MODULES (90 credits)

 Semester 1 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSB301

Media Identity and Inequality

20

SSB366

Promotional Culture

10

 Semester 2 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSB303

Media and Social Change

20

SSB317

Critical Viewings: Film

10

Semester 1 and 2 

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSB009

Advanced Research Methods

30

 

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 30 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the following list, plus language modules:

Semester 1

 Code

Module Title

    Credit

SSB023

Religion and Society

10

SSB128

Political Psychology

10

SSB216

Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors

10

SSB360

The Media in Global Context

10

SSB367

Communication and Sport

10

 Semester 2

 Code

Module Title

    Credit

SSB036

Digital Lives and Society

10

SSB234

Media, Culture and Crime

10

SSB352

Political Communication

10

SSB175

Psychological Disorders in Society

10

SSB021

Inequalities across the Life Course

10


Semesters 1 and 2

Language Options:  Students may choose to take a language option in either semester, however this must carry on from a language in Part A.

10

Information for students wishing to take a Study Abroad or Placement Year

Study Abroad: Candidates have the opportunity to apply for permission to undertake an approved course of study at either a European university which is a member of the EU approved Erasmus Exchange programmes in the School of Social Sciences or any other University with which the University has exchange study arrangements. Such a course of study must be undertaken in place of one Semester at Part B.

For students opting to take the Study Abroad scheme in Semester 2

Semester 1 Compulsory Modules total modular weight 50 credits:

Code

Module Title

    Credit

SSB301

Media, Identity and Inequality

20

SSB366

Promotional Culture

10

SSB393

Advanced Research Methods A (Erasmus)

20

In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:

Code

Module Title

    Credit

SSB397

Study Abroad Module

50

SSB398

Study Abroad Module

60

SSB399

Study Abroad Module

70

Optional modules: Depending on the credit gained through the Study Abroad semester, students take either 10, 20 or 30 credits worth of options in Semester 1.  A selection of optional modules will be offered every year from the Part B list provided above.

For students opting to take the Study Abroad scheme in Semester 1

Semester 2 Compulsory modules total modular weight 50 credits:

Code

Module Title

    Credit

SSB303

Media and Social Change

20

SSB317

Critical Viewings: Film

10

SSB394

Advanced Research Methods B (Erasmus)

20

In addition, depending on the credit gained through the Semester Abroad, students are enrolled on one of the following modules:

Code

Module Title

    Credit

SSB397

Study Abroad Module

50

SSB398

Study Abroad Module

60

SSB399

Study Abroad Module

70

Optional modules: Depending on the credit gained through the Study Abroad semester, students take either 10, 20 or 30 credits worth of options in Semester 2. A selection of optional modules will be offered every year from the Part B list provided above.

 

Part I

Candidates will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies (IntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Regulation XI.

Code

Module Title

SSI001

Diploma in Professional Studies (work placement)

SSI002

Diploma in International Studies (study abroad)

LAN900

Diploma in International Studies (overseas work placement in a foreign language)

GYI100

Year in Enterprise (DPS)

GYI200

Professional Training Placement and Overseas Study (DIntS)

 

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC318

Critical Viewings: Television

10

SSC320

Contemporary Media Debates

10

Semester 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC317

Critical Viewings: Documentary

10

SSC319

Digital Media and Society

10

Semester 1 and 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC399

Communication and Media Studies Project Dissertation

40

 

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 40 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the list below, plus language modules:

Semester 1

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC024

Gender, Sex and Society

20

SSC238

Youth Justice

20

SSC020

Race and Racism

20

SSC130

Social Psychology of Everyday Life

20

SSC316

Media, Memory and History

20

 Semester 2

Code

Module Title

Credit

SSC357

Producing the News

20

SSC239

Green Criminology: Environmental Crimes and Harms

20

SSC022

Health, the Body and Culture

20

SSC138

Forensic Psychology

20

SSC212

Poverty, Pay and Living Standards

20

Semesters 1 and 2

Language Options:  Students may choose to take a language option in either semester, however this must carry on from a language in Part B.

10

 

 

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.

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