Semester 1

Globalisation, Culture, Media (runs across semesters 1 and 2)

30 credits across semesters 1 and 2

This module focuses on the impact of the processes of globalisation on contemporary culture and society. It will give you the skills and knowledge to analyse critically a variety of theoretical perspectives on processes of globalisation, and enable you to apply cultural theories of globalisation to a variety of substantive examples. The specific topics that are studied on the module may include diaspora and diasporic culture, the rise of alternative media politics, the cultural politics of globalisation through an exploration of everyday life, anti-capitalist culture and the rise of fundamentalism.

Mediated Communications: Theory and Practice

15 credits 

This module will give you the skills, knowledge and understanding to devise and execute promotional communication campaigns using a variety of different media. The module systematically examines the advantages and limitations of key media forms such as photography, TV and new media in relation to promotional communication; you will do this by critically examining advertising case studies. We will also be examining historical shifts in the global media landscape, focusing on the recent emergence of hybrid media forms and convergent media systems and how these developments affect promotional communication.

Semester 1

You will choose one of the following 15-credit modules from the list below:

International Operations and Supply

International Business Context

Accounting for Decision Making

Semester 2

You will choose three optional modules from the list below:

Doing Media Research  - 15 credits 

The purpose of this module is to provide you with a Masters-level introduction to methodological issues in the discipline of media and cultural studies. As such, the module considers notions of method and methodology, explores the construction of meaning in texts, and practices, media and film analysis. Moving beyond these methods, the module looks at ethnographic approaches to research, interviewing, and addresses issues of ethics. If you are undertaking a research dissertation as your final project, this module will help you plan your project.
This module is advisable for those doing the dissertation.

Entrepreneurship - 15 credits

Opportunities and Challenges in Contemporary Management  - 15 credits

Contemporary Issues in International Business - 15 credits

English For Media Professionals* - 15 credits   

Creativity and Personal Devleopment - 15 credits 

This module is compulsory if you opt for the Consultancy Project, Work Placement Pathway** or Entrepreneurship Pathway in Semester 3.

 OR 

One of the above and 

Creative Media Practice - 30 credits 

This module is compulsory for those doing the Media Project in Semester 3. 

*This module is) available only to students for whom English is a second language and who have successfully completed ENL-40001 or ENL-40002 (Academic English for Postgraduate Students) in semester 1.

** Students who require a Visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement of up to 1 year depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new Visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a Visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.    

After you have completed the taught modules you will undertake one of the following 60-credit pathways below:

• Dissertation
• Media Project
• Consultancy Project pathway
• Entrepreneurship pathway
• Placement pathway (UK/EU students only)*

Dissertation
The dissertation is a formal written academic project of between 15,000 and 20,000 words.

You will agree your dissertation topic with your supervisor who will guide and support you through the project. It will be based on your own research interests that you develop during taught modules. Supervisors will be assigned to you by the programme director who will match your interests with the academic expertise of staff in the School of Humanities and the Keele Management School.

Examples of dissertation projects by previous students include:
Beyoncé’s Lemonade: The Complexities of Race in Post-feminist Media Discourse, Camille Lummis, 2018
An insight into audience reactions to four popular advertisements aired during the Super Bowl and the FIFA World Cup, Jonathan Aldridge, 2018.
Social Media Framing: Mapping the Development and Framing of the Digital Counterpublic Discourses of #TakeAKnee, Eileen Bins, 2018.

Media Project
The media project involves the creation of a substantial media artefact; this could be a film, photographic work or an installation. You will be assigned a supervisor based on the medium in which you wish to work. You and your supervisor will agree upon a topic and you will work under their supervision to realise the project.
You will be assessed on the quality of the media artefact and a written catalogue, where you document the aims and research informing the project and critically reflect on your media practice.

Examples of media projects by previous students include:
Hong’s Kitchen: Documentary film portraying the life of Hong, a female Chinese migrant to the UK who now runs a Chinese restaurant in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Produced by Yufan Xie, Shuang Zhao & Zhijian Hu (2018).
Photographic installation examining the camera as a tool for spectacle. Produced by Adam Gruning (2018).
World of Wedgwood - A series of six short promotional films. Produced by Jen Darby (2018).

Consultancy Project pathway
The aim of the Consultancy Project pathway is to encourage and enable you to reflect on an applied research placement and to develop and apply your skills within the management of organisations. You will work for 8-12 weeks on a consultancy project for an organisation chosen by Keele Business School. The consultancy period plus a consultancy report, presentation, reflective piece and an organisation/company assessment will constitute the module’s summative assessment

Entrepreneurship pathway
The aim of this pathway is to allow you time and space to develop your own business idea. You will have access to facilities and expertise for a period of 6-12 months. During this time, you will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence, presentation to an external stakeholder and a reflective piece which will constitute the module’s summative assessment. Please note this pathway is only available to UK students.

Placement pathway (UK/EU students only)*
With the support of the School’s Placement Officer, you will find and secure a placement which can last between 6-12 months. The placement should be a paid work placement at a suitable level for Master’s study. During your time on the placement you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. The project report, presentation and a reflective piece and an organisation assessment will constitute the module’s summative assessment.

*Students who require a Visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement of up to 1 year depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new Visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a Visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.