Programme Specification
BSc (Hons) Communication and Media Studies (entry prior to 2019)
Academic Year: 2020/21
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:
- Reg. XX (Undergraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- 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 and Humanities |
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 | Fri, 22 Jan 2021 19:32:12 GMT |
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 |
CXA301 |
Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Contemporary Trends & Issues |
10 |
CXA307 |
Constructing Meaning: Texts and Audiences |
10 |
CXA305 |
Foundations in Social Sciences |
10 |
Semester 2
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
CXA302 |
Introduction to Communication & Media Studies: Historical Themes & Perspectives |
10 |
CXA306 |
Media Landscapes |
10 |
CXA308 |
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 |
CXA156 |
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 |
CXA158 |
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 |
CXB301 |
Media Identity and Inequality |
20 |
CXB317 |
Screen Cultures |
10 |
Semester 2
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
CXB303 |
Media and Social Change |
20 |
CXB366 |
Promotional Culture |
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 |
CXB128 |
Political Psychology |
10 |
SSB216 |
Women and Crime: Victims, Offenders and Survivors |
10 |
CXB360 |
The Media in Global Context |
10 |
CXB367 |
Communication and Sport |
10 |
Semester 2
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
SSB036 |
Digital Lives and Society |
10 |
CX234 |
Media, Culture and Crime |
10 |
CXB175 |
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 |
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 |
CXC318 |
Television and Society |
10 |
CXC320 |
Contemporary Media Debates |
10 |
Semester 2
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
CXC317 |
Documenting the World |
10 |
CXC319 |
Digital Media and Society |
10 |
Semester 1 and 2
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
CXC399 |
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 |
CXC130 |
Social Psychology of Everyday Life |
20 |
Semester 2
Code |
Module Title |
Credit |
CXC357 |
Producing the News |
20 |
SSC022 |
Health, the Body and Culture |
20 |
CXC138 |
Forensic Psychology |
20 |
SSC237 |
Sex Work and Sex Industries |
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.