Cultural Studies: Learning and Teaching

Best Practice

We build upon the best practice in higher education in promoting student autonomy and independence while fostering your participation in collaborative learning and research. All Media modules have carefully crafted aims and outcomes and each module will introduce you to relevant reading, viewing, debates, positions of theory and methodological approaches. All Cultural Studies modules have carefully crafted aims and outcomes and each module will introduce you to relevant reading, viewing, debates, positions of theory and methodological approaches.

Engagement

Our modules have well-defined teaching structures consisting of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, which give you wide opportunities to learn progressively, stretch your capabilities, test your ideas and methods and interact positively with staff and other students in the Department.

Virtual Learning

As you would expect, Media modules also use parts of the new media in their teaching practice. This involves the University's virtual learning environment, 'Minerva' and the active use of the worldwide web in seminars and workshops.

Assessment

In all years of study, your assessment is through coursework, although this takes a variety of forms. In addition to essays, you will be asked to undertake other tasks, such as group presentations, bibliographical exercises, timed written work, journal compilation, research diary, and website research reports.

Support

In making students and their learning our first priority we have developed an open and supportive learning culture in which you will have easy and regular personal contact with our teaching team. Staff are readily available for individual advice and tutorials and you will also be encouraged to maintain regular conversations with your year tutors through e mail and the Minerva mail links. In addition, students are allocated a personal tutor who will monitor your progress and be available for academic or personal advice throughout your time here.

Key Skills

We aim to equip you with knowledge of the media, but also with general skills and qualities relevant and applicable to the 21st century and its demands. This means:

• Intellectual skills, such as integration and synthesis of data and evidence; applying key concepts and methods and evaluation and critical reflection;
• Practical skills, such as working independently and computer and online aptitude;
• Personal and social skills, such as planning and organisation, verbal and written communication and group participation.

Research and Scholarship

All teaching staff in the Department are engaged actively in research and scholarship. This includes publishing books and articles, contributing to academic journals and participating in national and international conferences. The Department is also engaged in the scholarship of learning and teaching and this expertise connects into our own teaching with you. From time to time our staff also feature in the local, regional and national media as commentators and experts on a range of issues. Recent examples from Cultural Studies include the nature of contemporary celebrity, and the cultural significance of the monarchy. From Media Communications recent examples include the effects of videogames on young people and the nature of contemporary celebrity.

Employment

Employers welcome the high level of subject-based and generic skills which are embedded in our modules and study routes. In addition, through the Creative Industries and Advertising, PR and Marketing strands in the Professional and Academic Development module [Year 2] students are given the opportunity to orient themselves towards and chosen field of employment. This is developed further in the Creative and Cultural Enterprise project module, which is available in your final year.

The UK job market, although competitive, offers a wide range of possible career paths for Media graduates. On the completion of the degree, you may wish to consider further postgraduate study or vocational training in fields such as journalism or teaching. Alternatively you may look for employment in diverse and expanding field of, which includes sectors such as publishing, advertising, broadcasting, public relations, tourism and heritage, social work and race relations. In addition, opportunities exist in local government and administration, health service management, social work, youth and community work and charities.

Throughout your time with us, expert advice on your future career opportunities is available through the University's Careers Service.