Media and Communications MSc

About the Course

• How do the media shape culture and society?
• What role does the media play in people's lives?
• Is the media creating a global culture?
• Are audiences now producers?
• Do social networking sites influence personal communication?
• Are young people disconnected from traditional politics?

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.

Aims

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.

Enquiries

Course enquiries
Email sss-pgenquiries@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44 (0)1895 265951

For applications already submitted
Contact Admissions online
Tel +44 (0)1895 265265

Course convenor: Dr Lesley Henderson

View the School of Social Sciences website

Related Courses

• Social and Cultural Research MSc
• Sociology of Health and Illness MSc
• Medicine, Bioscience and Society MSc
• Science, Technology and Contemporary Society MSc

Special Features

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.

Course Content

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.

Modules (all core)

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.

Typical Dissertations

A dissertation of approximately 15,000 words is completed over the summer period in consultation with a supervisor. You are encouraged to conduct primary research in an area relevant to the course in preparation for the dissertation.

Examples of recent dissertations undertaken by students on the course include:

• How is authority established in virtual communities?
• TV Consumption, Identity and Lifestyle: A study of the Chinese Community in Los Angeles
• The construction of femininity in Sex and the City
• Media bias and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
• Constructing a female cyberspace? A case study of Chinese women and the web
• Ethnography of a newsroom in Ghana
• New media and news gathering

Teaching and Learning

Taught modules are delivered via traditional lecture/seminar format along with other workshops and set activities. Students may be required to keep diaries of media consumption, contribute to online blogs and engage in critical analysis of visual media. Assessment is by a mixture of essays and report writing.

Assessment

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.

Nadine completed the MA in Media and Communications

“I really enjoyed studying this course. I still have lots of good memories of that time and I can thoroughly recommend studying at Brunel! Directly after my studies I started to work as a lecturer at RWTH Aachen University in the Department of Sociology, and began teaching. I believe that my studies in Brunel opened the door to this job opportunity. I work as a sociologist and doctoral researcher in the research group Humic in the Human Technology Centre at RWTH Aachen”.

Sudarshan completed his Master’s at Brunel

”Studying at Brunel was a real highlight for me and it gave me a valuable opportunity to work alongside students from across the world in a multicultural setting. This course seemed to be tailor-made for my professional life in the media industry and development sector. After I left Brunel, I worked with different development agencies as well as the Nepalese Government. In my current position as Director of Information and Advocacy with Save the Children in Nepal, I often reflect back on my media audience and media onvergence classes and relate them to my everyday work.”

Anu studied Media and Communications

”I chose Brunel based on my positive prior experience (I undertook a BSc in Media and Communications within the same School). The staff were all very helpful and approachable which made learning enjoyable. The course provided me with an excellent critical understanding of media and communications theory, which was intellectually stimulating and complemented my practical knowledge. Additionally, the course met my personal needs because it allowed me the flexibility to work whilst studying, as the teaching is concentrated into two days each week.”

Tine completed his Master’s in Media and Communications

“Brunel’s campus is ideally placed, with easy access to central London and the town of Uxbridge within walking distance. It is a peaceful location and offers all the activities that a student wants from University. My master’s offered me a great extension to my previous Sociology studies in Slovenia, by combining learning the English language to advanced academic level with new insights into the study of social sciences. I decided to stay in the UK and I am currently working as head of information for the Slovenian Tourist Board in London."

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £11,500 full-time

International students: £15,000 full-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
• TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
• TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
• Pearson: 59 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT 65% (min 60% in all areas)

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.