Course modules
Year 3 (national level 6):
Core modules:
Media and Society (20 credits)
Develop a critical understanding of the industrial links between Advertising and Branding and Quality Television Drama in terms of their historical development and production. Gain analytical and evaluative skills by examining the current issues and debates about the impact of media on society. Finish the module with a robust knowledge of the intertwined concerns of creating content, creating profit and the necessity for analysis of media output and industrial systems to maintain a healthy, democratic society.
Designated core option (either/or):
Media Research Project (40 credits)
Undertake a piece of independent-led work, the content of which will vary from student to student and will be based on theoretical or empirical approaches, or a combination of these. Complete the module with a specialist understanding of your chosen area of research.
Major Projects in Media Production (40 credits)
Produce a major piece of media work suitable for film, television, or online, which could include factual or fictional work produced in a single or multi-camera format. Conduct research and develop your ideas. Reflect on your work through a final evaluation that offers critical insight into your project.
Optional modules (choose 60 credits)*:
High End Video Project (20 credits)
Work in small groups and find a client to create a high-end corporate video project. Demonstrate your technical ability in creating professional visuals effective audio levels/mixing/score, and professional editing/grade. Produce a video that showcases your development over the three years of your studies. Create a video showreel of your best work from this module and upload it to an online platform, highlighting your professionalism and technical ability.
Cultural Theory & Popular Culture 2 (20 credits)
Produce a piece of independent research informed by the theoretical approaches associated with British Cultural Studies tradition. The first weeks of the module will be devoted to structured introductory sessions, supervision sessions and information retrieval advice. Thereafter, your work takes the form of independent study, supported by regular supervisory sessions.
Advanced Public Relations (20 credits)
Learn about the economic value of corporate reputation and goodwill along with the implications for corporate responsibility and community relations. Continue to develop your practical skills in a wide range of PR techniques, including speechwriting and acting as a spokesperson.
Film, Horror & The Body (20 credits)
Chart the emergence of body horror cinema in the late 20th century before proceeding to explore different historical and contemporary examples across a range of international contexts. Consider other filmic forms that feature the body undergoing changes that may be horrific or challenging but yet may not be considered to adhere to the horror genre. Employ ideas from both film studies and cultural studies and address questions of bodily fascination, from puberty and issues related to sexual desire through to explorations of bodily disgust and repulsion.
Advanced Digital Post Production (20 credits)
Expand and develop on your basic and intermediate digital video effects and post production skills. Plan and develop an advanced digital post production project, which may be a self standing project in its own right, or may form part of your final year major production, which explores and incorporates advanced digital video post production techniques such as advanced digital video effects work, colour grading, surround sound or a combination of these as appropriate to the specific project and your skills, interest and specialism. Critically examine the position of your own work with regards to current digital post production practices.
Popular Music Cultures (20 credits)
Chart the historical evolution of key popular musical genres and the cultures they both reflect and sustain. Focus primarily upon two of the largest markets that produced and shaped mainstream popular music since the 1950s, namely the US and the UK, but the success and impact of musicians from outside of these regions will also form the basis of analysis. Cover topics spanning multiple genres including rock, reggae, punk, rap, and dance music and explore the socio-political dimensions of the music. Produce two feature articles for an online music publication as part of your assessment alongside an end of module essay.
Digital Investigative Journalism (20 credits)
Explore cold case murders, government corruption, and forensic social media searching, all of which makes up the armoury of the modern investigative journalist. Examine cutting-edge techniques needed to unearth the next big scoop and study the work of leading journalists who strive to bring the hidden into the light.
Film and Feeling: Music, Performance, Genre (20 credits)
This module connects with a variety of interdisciplinary research to explore what makes watching films such a compelling, emotional experience, and how such experiences affect interpretations of key ideological discourses. Focusing on the role played by music, performance, and genre in the evocation of emotion on screen, you’ll examine how texts encourage audience identification and empathy, especially in films dealing with sensitive topics. Examples will be from cinema, but topics will also engage with study in other areas, such as TV, music videos, and social media. You’ll consider the emotional power of all media texts and recognise feeling as a vital part of the overall fabric of our experience watching and listening.
Employment in Screen and Audio Industries (20 credits)
Develop contextual, practical and critical skills you’ll need to survive in the screen and audio industries. Focus on mapping your employment journey through different industry sectors and make media content about this via a podcast and digital content. Set up work placements and make professional contacts in the creative industries. Learn about essential legal, ethical, compliance and diversity issues. Meet key industry and University services such as BBC Careers Hub; ScreenSkills, mandy (and other directories and agencies), North East Screen; the University’s Enterprise Centre, the Employability and Enterprise Hub, the Digital Incubator and Faculty initiatives mediaHub, Spark platforms and the Sunderland Creatives Agency.
Radio Drama (20 credits)
Gain an understanding of the development of radio drama within the BBC and in independent production and in experimental drama. Participate in production workshops in idea formation, pitching, production management, scriptwriting, casting, studio direction and creative production.
*Optional modules are subject to availability
Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.
