MA Media and Communication Programme Specification EDM-DJ-08/14 Primary Purpose: Course management, monitoring and quality assurance. Secondary Purpose: Detailed information for students, staff and employers. Current students should refer to the related Course Handbook for further detail. Disclaimer: The University of Portsmouth has checked the information given in this Programme Specification and believes it to be correct. We will endeavour to deliver the course in keeping with this Programme Specification but reserve the right to change the content, timetabling and administration of the course whilst maintaining equivalent academic standards and quality. Copyright The contents of this document are the copyright of the University of Portsmouth and all rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior consent of the University of Portsmouth.
Contents Programme Specification 1. Named Awards... 1 2. Course Code (and UCAS Code if applicable)... 1 3. Awarding Body... 1 4. Teaching Institution... 1 5. Accrediting Body... 1 6. QAA Benchmark Groups... 1 7. Document Control Information... 1 8. Effective Session... 1 9. Author... 1 10. Faculty... 1 11. Department... 1 12. Educational Aims... 1 13. Reference Points... 2 14. Learning Outcomes... 2 A. Knowledge and Understanding of:... 2 B. Cognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills, able to:... 2 C. Practical (Professional or Subject) Skills, able to:... 3 D. Transferable (Graduate and Employability) Skills, able to:... 3 15. Course Structure, Progression and Award Requirements... 3 16. Employability Statement... 4 17. Support for Student Learning... 4 18. Admissions Criteria... 4 A. Academic Admissions Criteria... 4 B. Disability... 4 19. Evaluation and Enhancement of Standards and Quality in Learning and Teaching... 4 A. Mechanisms for Review and Evaluation... 4 B. Responsibilities for Monitoring and Evaluation... 5 C. Mechanisms for Gaining Student Feedback... 5 D. Staff Development Priorities... 5. Assessment Strategy... 5 21. Assessment Regulations... 5 22. Role of Externals... 6 23. Indicators of Standards and Quality... 6 A. Professional Accreditation/Recognition... 6 B. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent)... 6 C. Quality Assurance Agency... 6 D. Others... 6 24. Other Sources of Information... 6
Programme Specification 1. Named Awards MA Media and Communication 2. Course Code (and UCAS Code if applicable) C2603F, C2603P 3. Awarding Body University of Portsmouth 4. Teaching Institution University of Portsmouth 5. Accrediting Body N/A 6. QAA Benchmark Groups Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies 08 7. Document Control Information Version 3, July 15 8. Effective Session 15/16 9. Author Dr Laurel Forster 10. Faculty Creative and Cultural Industries 11. Department School of Media and Performing Arts 12. Educational Aims To provide a flexible framework within which research students in relevant fields may acquire the research skills essential for the pursuit of their subject(s) To facilitate the development of subject specific skills to enable students to pursue postgraduate study and research within the fields of television and film studies. To equip postgraduates with the necessary transferable skills for lifelong learning and flexibility in the context of changing labour markets. To provide students with the skills and knowledge required to maximise career and postgraduate study opportunities Programme Specification for MA Film and Television Studies Page 1
To provide an awareness of the need to conduct research ethically and responsibly. 13. Reference Points This programme has been developed taking account of the following reference points: The University of Portsmouth Curriculum Framework Document; The scholarship and research expertise of academic members of staff; The UK Quality Code for Higher Education; Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ); Subject Benchmark Statement for undergraduate Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (July 01); Research preparation Masters standard and Research Training requirements of the Arts and Humanities Research Council; University of Portsmouth Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy and Quality Assurance policies. 14. Learning Outcomes A. Knowledge and Understanding of: A1. Key current methodological issues in media studies A2. Critical perspectives on the nature of the research process A3. Modes of textual and other research analysis A4. Research Skills in the fields of IT, bibliographic and literature surveys, ethical and legal issues, employment and personal development. A5. The design and implementation of research plans A6. Specialist subject knowledge in a variety of areas through independent study work, and/or Master s dissertation A7. The interrelationship between film and television different media forms within specific periods A8. Issues of genre, visual style, political communication strategies, audience reception and authorship A9. Production and reception contexts of media forms A10. The different generic qualities of texts and different modes of relation between one text and another. Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Lectures, group work, seminars, individual presentations, both formal and informal, and tutorials will provide course members with skills, knowledge and understanding of the literature, perspectives and approaches identified in A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, further developed by individual focus through project work and the dissertation. Outcomes A7 A10 are embedded in the teaching of named units Assessment The mix of assessments will include the final dissertation, essays, film or television short screenwriting project and presentations. A1-5 will be tested in the essay work for Research Methods; dissertation, essays, presentations and tutorials in specific subject areas will demonstrate other learning outcomes; A6-10 will be tested in the assessments for the optional units. B. Cognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills, able to: B1. Evaluate the application of research models (in terms of theory and practice) to areas of research B2. Demonstrate an effective knowledge of a range of research methodologies B3. Demonstrate general and subject specific research and information retrieval skills. B4. Collate, synthesise and analyse materials from a variety of sources. B5. Offer original applications of methodological knowledge to research problems and conclusions. B6. Apply theoretical approaches to readings of key media texts Programme Specification for MA Film and Television Studies Page 2
B7. Analyse the cross-media relationship and communication strategies in the range of texts examined Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Cognitive skills will be developed through a range of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, discussion groups and guided reading, further developed by individual focus through course work, optional projects, and the dissertation. Assessment Essays, literature reviews, presentations and the final dissertation, are designed to integrate theory with practice across B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. C. Practical (Professional or Subject) Skills, able to: C1. Use critical skills in close reading and analysis of media texts (written, visual, broadcast and filmic texts). C2. Retrieve and select appropriate information from a range of sources C3. Select appropriate research methodologies. C4. Use bibliographical skills appropriate to the discipline, including accurate and consistent use of scholarly conventions of presentation. Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods Skills will be developed through a range of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, discussion groups and guided reading, further developed by individual focus through essays, presentations independent study units, screenwriting short project and the dissertation. C1-4 will be tested in all assessment from the core and optional units. Assessment Essays, literature review, presentations, long and short screenplay, and the dissertation D. Transferable (Graduate and Employability) Skills, able to: D1. Demonstrate advanced literacy and oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present a rhetorically effective, coherent, well-supported, and sustained argument. D2. Demonstrate self-management, initiative and personal responsibility in designing and conducting significant research projects. D3. Work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organisation and time-management skills. Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods These skills will be developed through the Research methods unit, tutorials, lectures, presentations and student-centred learning. Assessment A mix of assessments to include essays, presentations, screenwriting short project, and the final dissertation. D1-3 will be tested in the presentations and essays for the taught units and in the independent study unit and the dissertation. 15. Course Structure, Progression and Award Requirements The Programme is offered in two modes full-time over one calendar year and part-time over two calendar years. The degree is based on the University s Masters calibration of 1 M credits Units consist of combinations of 30, 60 credits Awards will follow the University regulations. Programme Specification for MA Film and Television Studies Page 3
16. Employability Statement The course has embedded varied transferrable skills appropriate to a range of careers opportunities. Each unit requires critical thinking and reflective skills and works to develop writing and oral communication skills. Interpersonal skills will be implicitly involved at all stages, for peer critiques, discussion and formative feedback. Practitioners as visiting speakers we invite speakers working in the film industry in various positions Students are encouraged to disseminate their outputs and to engage with the blogosphere, in terms of publishing work online and interaction in discussion, feedback and social media community. All university services are introduced at induction. Students have many opportunities to discuss career profiles within the personal tutoring system 17. Support for Student Learning The Course is managed by a Course Leader. Extensive induction programme introduces the student to the University and their course. Each student has a personal tutor, responsible for pastoral support and guidance. University support services include careers, financial advice, housing, counselling etc. The Academic Skills Unit (ASK). CCi Creative Skills Centre and CCi Academic Skills Centre. The Additional Support and Disability Advice Centre (ASDAC). Excellent library facilities. Student course and unit handbooks provide information about the course structure and University regulations etc. Feedback is provided for all assessments. Personal Development Planning (PDP) for all awards. 18. Admissions Criteria A. Academic Admissions Criteria A minimum of a second-class honours degreee in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language ability with a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (normally with not less than 6.0 in any one component) or equivalent. Prior (formal and/or experiential) learning may be assessed and accredited. B. Disability The University makes no distinction in its admissions policy with regard to disability and will endeavour to make all reasonable adjustments in order to make it possible for students to study at Portsmouth on a course of their choice. 19. Evaluation and Enhancement of Standards and Quality in Learning and Teaching A. Mechanisms for Review and Evaluation Course Leader s Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review. Head of Department s Annual Standards and Quality Evaluative Review. Unit and Course Level student feedback considered at Board of Studies. Unit Assessment Board consideration of student performance for each programme. Programme Specification for MA Film and Television Studies Page 4
Annual Standards and Quality Reports to Board of Studies, including consideration of Subject and Award External Examiner Reports. Periodic Programme Review. Student Representatives and Student/Staff Consultative Committees. National Student Survey. Staff Performance and Development Review. Peer Review and Development Framework. Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee. B. Responsibilities for Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Co-ordinators for unit content and delivery. Course Leader for day-to-day running of course. Board of Studies with overall responsibilities for operation and content of course. Head of Department. Associate Dean (Academic). Associate Dean (Students). Quality Assurance Committee. Unit, Award and Progression Board of Examiners. C. Mechanisms for Gaining Student Feedback Student Representation on Board of Studies. Student Staff Consultative Committees. Unit and Course level student feedback questionnaires. University participates in external student surveys, e.g. National Student Survey (NSS), Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES), Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) and International Student Barometer (ISB). D. Staff Development Priorities Academic staff undertake activities related to research, scholarship, teaching and learning and student support and guidance. Annual staff performance and development reviews match development to needs. Managers undertake a variety of management development programmes. New academic staff required to undertake appropriate University of Portsmouth learning and teaching programmes. All academic staff encouraged to seek Higher Education Academy membership. Academic staff new to teaching required to undertake the APEX HEA Fellow Programme for new academic staff. Support Staff are encouraged to attend short courses in areas such as minute taking, and specific IT packages.. Assessment Strategy The assessments for the MA take the form predominantly of essays. This is to enable students to develop postgraduate research skills as identified in section B, Cognitive (Intellectual or Thinking) Skills and section C, Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills. The development of these skills is also the aim of the dissertation. Several units also include individual oral presentations to provide students with an opportunity to develop presentation skills at a higher level. In addition, this form of assessment will provide an opportunity for the creation of stimulating sophisticated academic debates in the seminars. Students are also given the opportunity to produce screenplays Programme Specification for MA Film and Television Studies Page 5
for film and television, working with a specialist tutor. This is designed to develop more applied skills that will compliment the theoretical components of the postgraduate degree programme. 21. Assessment Regulations Standard university rules apply (see Assessment and Regulations). 22. Role of Externals Subject External Examiners who will: oversee unit assessment and usually attend Unit Assessment Boards; review unit assessment strategy; sample assessment artefacts; report to Unit Assessment Boards. Award External Examiners (usually also a Subject External Examiner) who will: oversee and attend Award/Progression Boards; scrutinise and endorse the outcomes of assessment; ensure that the standard of the award is maintained at a level comparable with that of similar awards elsewhere in the United Kingdom. 23. Indicators of Standards and Quality A. Professional Accreditation/Recognition N/A B. Periodic Programme Review (or equivalent) The MA Media and Communication course (previously the MA Film and Television Studies) participated in a successful Periodic Programme Review on 1 st May 12. C. Quality Assurance Agency QAA Higher Education Review, March 15, judgements about standards and quality meet UK expectations (for full report see Higher Education Review of the University of Portsmouth, March 15 1 ). D. Others None. 24. Other Sources of Information Other sources of information may be found in Course Approval Document. Student Handbook and Moodle sites. University of Portsmouth Curricula Framework. Assessment Regulations. University of Portsmouth (http://www.port.ac.uk/) and School of Media and Performing Arts website (http://www.port.ac.uk/school-of-media-and-performing-arts) 1 www.qaa.ac.uk/en/reviewsandreports/documents/university%of%portsmouth/university-of- Portsmouth-HER-15.pdf Programme Specification for MA Film and Television Studies Page 6
Unit Assessment Map UNITS COURSEWORK Level Name Code Credit Delivery Core/ Option Total % Type of Artefact Duration/ Length Weighting % Total % Open/ Closed Duration (hrs) Weighting % FULL TIME MODE 7 RESEARCH METHODS U21644 30 1 C 100 Essay Presentation 4000 words minutes 7 SHORT SCREENWRITING PROJECT U21589 30 1 O 100 Script - Single Drama Reflective Essay 30 minutes 00 words 7 MEDIA POLITICS U24352 30 2 C 100 Essay 6000 words 100 7 INDUSTRY STUDY U24434 30 2 O 100 Essay 6000 words 100 7 MEDIA CONTEXTS U24353 30 Year C 100 Essay Presentation 4000 words mins 7 MEDIA CULTURES AND INDUSTRIES U24354 30 Year C 100 Essay 6000 words 100 7 DISSERTATION U24366 60 Year O 100 Dissertation proposal Dissertation 00 words 13000 words 7 SHORT DISSERTATION U24435 30 Year O 100 Short Dissertation proposal Short Dissertation 1000 words 00 words PART TIME MODE 7 RESEARCH METHODS U21644 30 Year 1/1 C 100 Essay Presentation 4000 words minutes 7 MEDIA POLITICS U24352 30 Year 1/2 C 100 Essay 6000 words 100 7 MEDIA CONTEXTS U24353 30 Year 1 C 100 Essay Presentation 4000 words mins 7 SHORT SCREENWRITING PROJECT U21589 30 Year 2/1 O 100 Script - Single Drama Reflective Essay 30 minutes 00 words 7 INDUSTRY STUDY U24434 30 Year 2/2 O 100 Essay 6000 words 7 SHORT DISSERTATION U24435 30 Year 2/1 or Year 2/2 O 100 Sht Dissertation preparation Sht Dissertation 1000 words 00 words Unit Assessment Map for MA Film and Television Studies Page 1
7 MEDIA CULTURES AND INDUSTRIES U24354 30 Year 2 C 100 Essay 6000 words 100 7 DISSERTATION U24366 60 Year 2 O 100 Dissertation preparation Dissertation 00 words 13000 words Unit Assessment Map for MA Film and Television Studies Page 2
Unit Learning Outcomes Learning Outcome Map for MA Film and Television Studies Level Unit name Unit Code Credit Delivery Core/ Option A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 A7 A8 A9 A10 B1 B2 B3 B4 B5 B6 B7 C1 C2 C3 C4 D1 D2 D3 FULL TIME MODE 7 RESEARCH METHODS U21644 30 1 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 SHORT SCREENWRITING PROJECT U21589 30 1 O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MEDIA POLITICS U24352 30 2 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 INDUSTRY STUDY U24434 30 2 O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MEDIA CONTEXTS U24353 30 Year C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MEDIA CULTURES AND INDUSTRIES U24354 30 Year C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 DISSERTATION U24366 60 Year O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 SHORT DISSERTATION U24435 30 Year O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X PART TIME MODE 7 RESEARCH METHODS U21644 30 Year 1/1 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MEDIA POLITICS U24352 30 Year 1/2 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MEDIA CONTEXTS U24353 30 Year 1 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 SHORT SCREENWRITING PROJECT U21589 30 Year 2/1 O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Unit Learning Outcomes Map for MA Film and Television Studies Page 1
7 INDUSTRY STUDY U24434 30 Year 2/2 O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 SHORT DISSERTATION U24435 30 Year 2/1 or Year 2/2 O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 MEDIA CULTURES AND INDUSTRIES U24354 30 Year 2 C X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X 7 DISSERTATION U24366 60 Year 2 O X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Unit Learning Outcomes Map for MA Film and Television Studies Page 2