MA Media and Cultural Studies Portfolio Review Stage 2

Student Profile: who are our students? Of the 23 students taking the MA in 2011 the majority were from overseas. Over 50% from China, Japan and Taiwan Other countries – South Africa, Barbados and the US. Two from the EU. Gender ratio: 19 female/4 male. The majority of students are in their early 20s.

Programme Aims To have acquired an advanced grounding in the theories and methods prevalent in contemporary Media and Cultural Studies. Be familiar with a range of interdisciplinary approaches to media institutions, texts, audiences, and the circuit of culture. Be able to engage critically with the construction of media representations. Be able to produce self-directed, original research drawing on a range of scholarly sources and applying appropriate conceptual frameworks and methodological skills. Have explored the use and application of different approaches in some specific areas and case studies. To be able to make individual and team presentations using media resources. Be able to deploy the skills of exegesis, conceptualization and argumentation necessary for further research in media and cultural studies and adaptable to related fields of study and employment.

Document to map individual courses to programme learning outcomes. MA Media and Cultural Studies Media Theory and ResearchDissertation Programme learning outcomes: Have acquired an advanced grounding in the theories and methods prevalent in contemporary Media and Cultural Studies. yes Be familiar with a range of interdisciplinary approaches to media instiutions, texts, audiences, and the 'circuit of culture'. yes Be able to engage critically with the construction of media representations. yes Be able to produce self-directed, original research drawing on a range of scholarly sources and applying appropriate conceptual frameworks and methodological skills. yes Have explored the use and application of different approaches in some specific areas and case studies. yes Be able to make individual and team presentations using media resources. yes Be able to deploy the skills of exegesis, conceptualisation and argumentation necessary for further research in media and cultural studies and adaptable to related fields of study and employment. yes

Learning, Assessment & Feedback Learning takes place through lectures, seminars, workshops and study groups. Whilst the essay and dissertation form is central to assessment modes students also produce critical reviews of articles and exercises. Students also give group presentations around the subject matter of the course and individual presentations of their dissertation topic. Students are encouraged to think globally around a range of thinkers and issues that have their origins in western cultures. The dissertation provides a platform for a sustained demonstration of the study of the media and/or culture. Student work and tasks are evaluated throughout the course in the form of written and verbal feedback which aims to make clear to student how they might improve their work and to demonstrate why they achieved their marks.

Issues/challenges To continue to make the degree both relevant and approachable to an increasingly international cohort of students - who come primarily from the Pacific Rim.