PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

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1 PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES KEY FACTS Programme name Political Communication Award MA School School of Arts and Social Sciences Department or equivalent Department of Sociology Programme code PSPOCO Type of study Part Time / Full Time Total UK credits 180 Total ECTS 90 PROGRAMME SUMMARY Traditionally, research and teaching in political communication has concentrated exclusively on institutional politics. Governments, political parties and elections have dominated the agenda. However, as the shape of politics and communication have changed significantly in recent times such an approach now seems to be far too narrow. Political party membership and election turnouts are steadily declining while interest group membership and issue-based campaigning are on the increase. Professional marketing, advertising and public relations approaches, developed in the corporate sector, have become central to the political process. This programme covers the most significant recent developments in political communications and will enable you to specialise in particular areas of interest, developing your critical skills and advancing your knowledge of political communications. You will receive knowledge of the ways in which political communications works, skills in critical social understanding and techniques of social enquiry and communication through varied teaching methods. Taught by leading specialists in the field of political communications it provides you with an advanced grounding in the social and political context of communications sociology, methodological approaches to researching the field, and advanced level discussion and debate of current political communications debates. The MA will provide an opportunity to explore an aspect of theory or practice in depth through the literature and/or empirical evidence and make recommendations to improve and develop this theory or practice. It will also provide you with the confidence to undertake further studies related to your academic practice and support you disseminating this work. The part time route of academic study is intended to provide students who have pressing family or work commitments, with more time to reach the required level of study. The content of the course is the same as the full time route. The duration is different and students deliver their dissertations in December not September. Part-time study occurs over two years. Students receive support through the personal tutor and seminar system. Guided reading and study skills help is provided. Students are encouraged to participate fully in the staff seminar and public lecture programme and, of course, in Departmental and School Social Events. Aims The Programme aims to: 1) Develop a broad interdisciplinary knowledge (across communications, cultural studies, sociology and politics) of political communications theory and its impact on the mass media and culture. 2) Provide a general understanding of how political actors (media organisations, state and 1

2 international institutions, political parties, and interest groups) are involved in processes of political and social change and the influence of political communications on those processes. 3) Develop more specific knowledge of particular fields such as human rights, media regulation and policy, globalisation and international communications, promotional culture. 4) Develop intellectual, practical and transferable skills such as: the ability to analyse and evaluate different research methods and data; the ability to undertake independent research; analytical and presentational skills; communication and writing skills. 5) Develop skills for relevant employment in; government information departments, communications regulatory agencies, mass media organisations, communications departments of interest groups, academic and professional research. For all of you completing the Postgraduate Certificate in Political Communication you will be able to examine the theories related to all aspects of media and politics and apply these to your discipline specific context as well as analyse the differences between contexts. You will be able to design political communication activities that are engaging, challenging, relevant and draw on the use of technology where appropriate to enhance learning. Student diversity will be explored across the modules as well as support for students through their programme from a range of areas including personal tutors. The assessments you undertake to achieve this qualification will focus on activities that you need to undertake either as part of your role or to support you in developing your practice. The postgraduate certificate will enable you to develop confidence in your role and skills to support and transform aspects of the students learning. For all of you completing the Postgraduate Diploma in Political Communication in addition to the above you will choose through elective modules to explore some areas further but from a different perspective to broaden your expertise and skills. In addition you may choose to examine theory related to politics and communication and implementing change alongside how to coach and support your peers or you may wish to develop your skills as a research supervisor and explore further undertaking research in an educational context. The assessments you undertake to achieve this qualification will again focus on activities related to your role and developments you wish to implement or examine further. The postgraduate diploma will provide you with an extended repertoire of skills needed as you develop into an experienced educator and introduce you to the broader theories related to academic practice. For all of you completing the MA Political Communication in addition to the above you will be able to obtain a contemporary overview of several aspects of political communications, including: government and political party communication and media relations; political marketing, public opinion and election campaigning; global institutions and international politics and communications; the activities and communications of corporations, social movements and interest groups; the production, regulation and consumption of both mass and alternative media; different forms of promotional/political culture; social and political theory; and communication issues surrounding human rights, race, citizenship and democratisation. WHAT WILL I BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE? On successful completion of this programme, you will be expected to be able to: Knowledge and understanding: Develop knowledge and understanding of theoretical frameworks and substantive literature necessary for a thorough understanding of a range of current developments in media and communications. Show knowledge of the methodological procedures used to study a wide range of practical and substantive issues. Engage with a variety of theoretical approaches and conceptual terms in analysis of key issue sin media and communications. 2

3 Demonstrate knowledge about how to design and operationalise a research project that is theoretically informed and substantively applied. Skills: Develop the ability to critically examine, compare and evaluate a range of theoretical perspectives and advanced research evidence. Critically analysing and interpreting empirical evidence and/or research findings. Demonstrate critical and analytical thinking. Gather appropriate information to answer questions pertaining to media and communications in different contexts. Identify and apply analytical and critical frameworks to their own research and professional practice Plan and evaluate an intervention in media and communications policy and/or practice. Study independently. Undertake original research. Develop independent academic judgement to assess the value and relevance of the ideas of others. Carry out a small independent research project. Values and attitudes: Adhere to the University's Policy on Academic Misconduct and must ensure that all work submitted is their own and has been correctly referenced. HOW WILL I LEARN? The educational aims are achieved through a combination of lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group classes, supported by a personal tutorial system. You are encouraged to undertake extensive reading in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the subject. The Department also runs a personal tutorial system which provides support for teaching and learning and any problems can be identified and dealt with early. During the second term the Department offers a Dissertation Workshop to guide you on your dissertation outline. The Department also holds a Dissertation Residential Weekend at the end of the second term, in which you will have the opportunity to present and discuss your dissertation outline with fellow students and staff. The part time route of academic study is intended to provide those of you, who have pressing family or work commitments, with more time to reach the required level of study. The content of the course is the same as the full time route. The duration is different and you will deliver your dissertations in December, not September. Part time study occurs over two years. You will receive support through the personal tutor and seminar system. Guided reading ad study skills help is provided. You will be encouraged to participate fully in the staff seminar and public lecture programme and, of course, in Departmental and School Social Events. WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK CAN I EXPECT? Assessment and Assessment Criteria Assessment of the programme is via the submission of written coursework for each module (equivalent to 4,000 words per module) and a dissertation. 3

4 Assessment Criteria are descriptions, based on the intended learning outcomes, of the skills, knowledge or attitudes that you need to demonstrate in order to complete an assessment successfully, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured. Grade- Related Criteria are descriptions of the level of skills, knowledge or attributes that you need to demonstrate in order achieve a certain grade or mark in an assessment, providing a mechanism by which the quality of an assessment can be measured and placed within the overall set of marks. Assessment Criteria and Grade-Related Criteria will be made available to you to support you in completing assessments. These may be provided in programme handbooks, module specifications, on the virtual learning environment or attached to a specific assessment task. Feedback on assessment Feedback will be provided in line with our Assessment and Feedback Policy. In particular, you will normally be provided with feedback within three weeks of the submission deadline or assessment date. This would normally include a provisional grade or mark. For end of module examinations or an equivalent significant task (e.g. an end of module project), feedback will normally be provided within four weeks. The timescale for feedback on final year projects or dissertations may be longer. The full policy can be found at: data/assets/pdf_file/0008/68921/assessment_and_feedback_policy.pdf Assessment Regulations In order to pass your Programme, you should complete successfully or be exempted from the relevant modules and assessments and will therefore acquire the required number of credits. The Pass mark for each module is 50%. If you fail an assessment component or a module, the following will apply: 1. Compensation: where you fail up to a total of 20 credits at first or resit attempt (15 for a Postgraduate Certificate), you may be allowed compensation if: Compensation is permitted for the module involved (see the module specification), and It can be demonstrated that you have satisfied all the Learning Outcomes of the modules in the Programme, and A minimum overall mark of no more than 10 percentage points below the module pass mark has been achieved in the module to be compensated, and An aggregate mark of 50% has been achieved overall. If you receive a compensated pass in a module you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The original component marks shall be retained in the record of marks and the greater of the original module mark and the minimum pass mark for the module shall be used for the purpose of calculation towards the Award. 2. Resit: you will normally be offered one resit attempt. However, if you did not participate in the first assessment and have no extenuating circumstances, you may not be offered a resit. If you are successful in the resit, you shall be awarded the credit for that module. The mark used for the purpose of calculation towards your Award shall be calculated from the original marks for the component(s) that you passed at first attempt and the minimum pass mark for the component(s) for which you took a resit. If you do not satisfy your resit by the date specified you will not progress and the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme, but satisfy the requirements for a lower- 4

5 level Award, then a lower qualification may be awarded as per the table below. If you fail to meet the requirements for the Programme and are not eligible for the award of a lower level qualification, the Assessment Board shall require that you withdraw from the Programme. If you would like to know more about the way in which assessment works at City, please see the full version of the Assessment Regulations at: data/assets/word_doc/0003/69249/s19.doc WHAT AWARD CAN I GET? Master s Degree: HE Credits Weighting Class % required (%) Dissertation With Distinction 70 Taught With Merit 60 With Pass 50 Postgraduate Diploma: HE Credits Weighting Class % required (%) Taught With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 With Pass 50 Postgraduate Certificate: HE Credits Weighting Class % required (%) Taught With Distinction 70 With Merit 60 With Pass 50 WHAT WILL I STUDY? Taught component The programme is studied over one year full time and is based in the University throughout that time. You are required to take a total of six assessed modules totalling 120 credits. There are THREE compulsory core modules and the remaining THREE elective modules are selected from a list of options. Finally, you must complete a dissertation worth 60 credits. You must take three 20 credit core modules and three 20 credit modules from a range of electives. You must also complete a dissertation worth 60 credits. Module Title SITS Code 5 Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be Compensated? Political Communications: Theories SGM C N 7 Research Workshop SGM C N 7 Political Communication: Application SGM C N 7 Developments in Communication SGM E Y 7 Policy Democratisation, Information and SGM E Y 7 Communication Representation and Reception SGM E Y 7

6 Transnational Media and SGM E Y 7 Communication Feminisms and the Media: SGM E Y 7 Representation, Technology and Change The Information Society SGM E Y 7 Crime News and Media Justice SGM E Y 7 Celebrity SGM E Y 7 Sociology at City SGM Social Media and Engagement: From SGM E Y 7 Theory to Practice International Organisations and IPM E Y 7 Global Politics International Politics of the Middle IPM E Y 7 East Theories of International Politics IPM E N 7 Global Political Economy: IPM E N 7 Contemporary Approaches Human Rights and the Transformation of World Politics IPM E N 7 Dissertation component Students must complete a 60 credit dissertation in order to be awarded the Master's qualification. Module Title SITS Code Module Credits Core/ Elective Can be Compensated? Dissertation SGM C N 7 You are normally required to pass all taught modules before progressing to the dissertation. TO WHAT KIND OF CAREER MIGHT I GO ON? If you would like more information on the Careers support available at City, please go to: HOW DO I ENTER THE PROGRAMME? Applicants should have a first or second class honours degree in any subject but applications are also welcome from those with experience in the media, information or the communication sectors. An equivalent qualification from an overseas university will be considered. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT For students whose first language is not English, the following qualifications will meet the English language requirement for entry to a postgraduate course of study: * A first degree from a UK university or from the CNAA. * A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by the University as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions in Australia or the USA. * GCE O-level/GCSE English language or English literature, grade C minimum. * Cambridge ESOL CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) at grade C or above. * An overall score of 6.5 in the English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum of 6.0 for each subtest. 6

7 * * Satisfactory standard in the verbal section of the Princeton Test (GMAT). * US SAT with 500 in verbal performance. * Warwick English Language Test (WELT) with pass grades of BBC minimum. * Other evidence of proficiency in the English language which satisfies the board of studies concerned. OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS Equivalent qualifications from an overseas university will be considered. IT SKILLS All students are expected to be computer literate. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The Programme is committed to equal opportunities. The admissions decision will rest on the qualifications, needs and aspirations of the applicant. APL/AP(E)L Requirements AP(E)L: You may apply for AP(E)L for a minimum of one module and a maximum of 25% of the overall credits for the programme (taught modules only). Exemptions are not awarded for programmes/qualifications that were awarded five years ago or longer, prior to the enrolment date for the intended programme of study at City University. Programmes/qualifications which were awarded over five years ago may be considered towards AP(E)L requests if the candidate can provide supporting evidence which gives an account of ways in which learning achieved through the programme/qualification has been applied actively and updated within the past five years. Former students of the University who have been withdrawn from a programme due to academic failure are not normally permitted to AP(E)L any awarded credits back onto the same programme within the School. Version: 3.4 Version date: September 2014 For use from: 2014/15 7