About this course
In a world where political conflicts are negotiated through social media, labour is mediated by apps, algorithms discriminate users on the base of their race and class, art circulates through the blockchain, and entertainment is consumed via streaming platforms, it becomes impossible to disentangle contemporary culture from our digital technologies. The BA Media and Culture will provide you with the intellectual and specialist skills to critically evaluate and intervene in our contemporary society.
Introduction
You will study how art, entertainment and politics are produced and consumed through digital media, and how the new technological landscape affects the future of our society.
In year one, you will study the foundations of communication and media studies, and learn how to analyse digital technologies and social media. In your second year, you will explore the key debates of cultural studies and the methodologies for researching the culture industries. Your final year will include a major project where you will apply the skills and methodologies learnt in the first two years, under the supervision of an experienced member of staff.
The programme has a unique structure that takes advantage of the broad range of modules offered by the School of the Arts. In your second and final years, you will have the opportunity to select from a broad range of modules in Communication and Media, Sociology, Philosophy, English, Architecture, and Music. The wide range of options will allow you to pursue your own interests and specialise in particular media and cultural industries, such as music, cinema, photography, journalism, and videogames.
Year in industry
This programme is available with an optional year in industry. If you choose this option, year three is spent on a paid placement within an organisation in industry, broadly defined. You will be supported by the School of the Arts and the Department throughout, and your reflexive written account of the experience will contribute towards your final degree result. If you wish to study this programme with a year in industry, please put the option code ‘YI’ in the ‘further choices’ section of your UCAS application form.
What you'll learn
- Detailed knowledge and understanding in relation to one or more particular areas of the Communication, Culture, Film and Media field of study
- Developed understanding of communicative and cultural expression
- Detailed knowledge of media forms and practice
- Analytic skills
- Research skills
- Commercial and cultural understanding
- Critical analysis
- The ability to construct arguments and convey ideas effectively
- Effective communication and presentation skills