Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

Awarding Institution

University of Huddersfield

Final Award

BA(Hons) Bachelor of Arts with Honours

School

School of Arts and Humanities

Department

Department of Music and Design Arts

Subject Benchmark Statement

UG Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (2019)

Date of Programme Specification Approval

2023-09-20

Version Number

2022.01

Educational Aims of the Course

Our suite of Media and Film programmes recognises the broad, interdisciplinary nature of the Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies subject benchmark statement. Reflecting the changes to media industries, production, texts, use and technologies articulated through convergence media, mediatisation and platformisation our programmes are rooted in a tripart focus on … For more content click the Read More button below. the roles of communication systems, modes of representations and systems of meaning in the ordering of societies. economic forces that frame the media, film, cultural and creative industries, and the role of such industries in contemporary political and cultural life. the role of changing technology, including emergent digital technologies, in media production, content manipulation, distribution, access and participation. the diverse modes of reception and use of media technologies and contents. the contribution of media organisations to the shaping of modernities. the interconnectedness of texts and contexts, and of the shifting configurations of communicative, cultural and aesthetic practices and systems. the processes linking pre-production, production, distribution, circulation, reception and use. key production processes and professional practices relevant to media, film, cultural and communicative industries, and of ways of conceptualising creativity and authorship. professional and occupational codes and practices in cultural production, distribution and reception. how media products and platforms might be understood within broader concepts of culture. the aesthetic and formal qualities at play, and their relation to meanings, in particular cultural forms. creative processes and practice through engagement in one or more production practices. the ways in which forms of media and cultural consumption are embedded in everyday life, and serve as ways of claiming and understanding identities. the ways in which creative artefacts are originated, realised and distributed, and the extent to which these processes have changed and continue to change (questions of 'production' and 'distribution')     The course also operates within the general context established by the aims of the School of Music, Humanities and Media and also seeks to achieve the following supra-disciplinary aims:   to widen choice within the School’s Undergraduate courses by allowing students to follow a course within a framework that enables coherence and progression. to provide an intellectually challenging experience throughout all three levels of study by articulating key concepts associated with the discipline. to promote independence of study and thought, to encourage working as a member of a team, and to encourage the application of theoretical and practical approaches to the solution of problems. to provide students with a range of academic, practical and personal skills that can contribute to their social and career development. to prepare students for effective engagement with further education or employment.  INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES A graduate will have developed the ability to think critically at a high level and to communicate the results of that thinking in a number of modes that are effective and appropriate to the recipient and user. Graduates will be familiar with a range of concepts and theories in media, film and cultural studies, and will be able to use that body of knowledge in developing independent judgements and in communicating discursively and creatively. They will have a critical awareness and understanding of media and their institutional, technological, textual, cultural, social, political and economic premises and consequences. This course will provide opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:

Course Structure

Foundation Level
Intermediate Level
Sandwich Year Out
Honours Level

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Through the use of a range of activities and methods of learning and assessment, the course ensures that a student achieves the specified learning outcomes and works in a variety of situations that give opportunities to develop both individual and group-based skills.  These include lectures and seminars and students will … For more content click the Read More button below.   In line with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, for students with disabilities, arrangements can be made to alter the pattern of attendance to allow the learning experiences to be achieved without causing unnecessary burdens on the person involved.  This can include making adjustments to timetables within the week and across the year; altering the pattern and nature of assessment activities, and providing an extended range of learning resources and support.   Throughout the course, extensive use is made of C & IT facilities.  In year one students take classes in IT, in DTP, and in the use of digital audio editing equipment, skills that they are expected to use as a normal part of their study and learning activities as the course develops.   The University’s VLE is used as the basis of providing supporting information within modules, and students will use a variety of IT-accessed sources for their academic research activities and for their journalism.   The assessment tariff equates to roughly 200 learning hours per 20-credit module. Each module will be assessed according to the rationale set out in the module specification and assessment criteria set out in the Course Handbook. Forms of assessment are varied to allow students to demonstrate knowledge, understanding, practical skills and transferable skills. Formal assessment will take place in accordance with the University’s Academic Administration timetable. All modules will have a formative element of assessment.

Support for Students and their Learning

  • Each student enrolling on a course will be allocated a personal tutor who will normally retain pastoral responsibility for that student throughout the course.  Personal tutors are responsible for reviewing the academic progress of a student and for offering advice and support on academic and non-academic matters.  Where professional help seems advisable, tutors can refer a student to the University Student Services.

 

  • The personal tutor is also responsible for administering Personal Development Planning (PDP) for his/her tutees. The provision of PDP at undergraduate level is adapted to the 2004 QAA Code of Practice for the Assurance of Academic Quality and Standards in Higher Education, which provides students with ‘appropriate opportunities for personal and professional development’, and that institutions provide for the identification, regular review and recording of each student’s development needs. PDP is embedded into modules at Foundation level, Intermediate level, and honours level. These include: Film and TV Industries and Law, From Studio to Social Media: Media Careers & Entrepreneurship and Media Industry Project and Employment.

 

  • Module tutors are responsible for monitoring students’ performance and attendance, and systems are in place for reporting problems in either so that Year Tutors and/or the Course Leader are alerted to causes of concern.

 

  • All students on the course are provided with a Course Handbook, updated annually, which gives all relevant information on the course, and includes key regulations and advice on the presentation of coursework.  Students also receive a module handbook for each module which provides a schedule of work for the year, details about assessment requirements, details of essay titles (where relevant) or of other tasks, and suggestions for detailed and background reading.  The content of module handbooks is also available on the University’s VLE, where it is augmented with further information and source materials. All students are encouraged to make appointments for individual tutorials with the Academic Skills Tutors.

 

 

Equal Opportunities

In admitting students, and in teaching and assessing them, the course operates in conformity with the University and School of Music, Humanities and Media policies on equal opportunities.

 

Criteria for Admission

The University’s policy for admissions is outlined in section D of the Regulations for Awards handbook which is available online at: http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/awards/

 

Students entering from full-time post-16 education should normally have:

  • A total of 112-104 UCAS tariff points or equivalent or a Pass from an accredited Access course with 45 level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • Applications from international students will be considered on an individual basis, and with advice from the University's International Office. Where necessary, applicants will be expected to demonstrate their spoken and written English language skills by achieving a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.
  • Mature students’ (over the age of 21) applications will be considered on an individual basis taking into account any previous learning and life experience applicable to the particular programme of study.
  • Applicants with prior learning or prior experiential learning will be considered individually by the School of Music, Humanities and Media Accreditation and Validation Panel, to assess whether it is appropriate to grant general or specific credit towards the course.

Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning

The University’s Teaching and Learning Committee has the ultimate responsibility for quality and standards of teaching and learning in the University.  Full details of the methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standards of teaching and learning can be found in the University of Huddersfield’s Quality Assurance Procedures for Taught Courses handbook, which is available online at:  http://www.hud.ac.uk/registry/regulationsandpolicies/qa/

 

  • The Student Panel meets a minimum of twice a year and matters of concern are reported to the Course Committee.
  • The University strongly encourages student representation on all major committees within the University.
  • Staff Appraisals: Staff development priorities in the University include a focus on achieving excellence in learning, teaching and scholarship.
  • Course and module evaluation questionnaires are distributed annually to students; the results are considered by Course Committee and reported to the Annual Evaluation Committee.
  • School Teaching and Learning Committee.
  • Peer Observation of Teaching.

 

Please note

University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.

Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.

Indicators of Quality and Standards

  • The Subject Area of Media & Journalism was reviewed in Spring 2014.
  • NSS : All  Courses within the overall suite provided by the subject area respond to the annual  National Student Survey results by adapting to the needs of students. This process occurs at both module and course level.
  • QAA Institutional Audit 2010. 

 

Please note:  This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.  More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the study module guide and course handbook.  The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed by the University and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency for HE.