MA in Global Media and Postnational Communication
Duration: 1 Year Full Time, 2 or 3 Years Part Time
Overview
Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September intake only
Mode of Attendance: Mixed Full Time and Part Time
The MA in Global Media and Postnational Communication starts from three premises. One is that globalization is a set of complex and dense processes with unequal effects in different parts of the world but sufficiently strong to invite analysis of a post-national spatiality of global social relations. The second is that central to these processes is the role of communications technologies as infrastructure and skeins of connectivity and the circulation of mediated products that structure competing social imaginaries. The third is the growing convergence between the previously separable areas of broadcasting, telecommunications and the Internet, so that study of the current moment needs to address not just conventional media (press, radio, television) but also the explosion in new communication technologies, including the Internet, satellite technologies and mobile telephony. Thus the remit of this degree is the study of the dynamics of globalization and its critiques, and the roles and nature of communications technologies and mediated content within these processes and the consequent changes in the nature of political, economic, financial, social and cultural activity.
The specific and unique focus of this degree will be its exploration of the responses to globalization in the South and the dynamic developments in media and communications within Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It examines the growing significance of Asia, Africa and the Middle East as the locations of new media players and new cultural genres, of complex audience involvements with mediated communication and as the sites of critical and creative responses to globalization processes.
It is not only media content that circulates but people themselves who move, and one aspect of this degree is to take seriously the development and use of mediated forms by minority ethnic, diasporic, exilic and refugee populations, be that in minority television channels, deterritorialized political action or other forms of cultural and political representation. Additionally, reactions to globalization and its more problematic outcomes increasingly take on postnational forms so the course will explore the dynamics of global civil society and the use of ICTs to build movements of solidarity.
Email: mediaandfilm@soas.ac.uk
Structure
SOAS Units
Each student takes 4 units in total: the Compulsory Course (1 unit), the Dissertation (1unit), two List 3 half units, and one unit of Options of their choice.
In choosing their courses, MA students are advised to pay careful attention to the balance of coursework across the two terms. In particular it is important to ensure that each term you have three taught courses. However much you might wish to take a mixture of courses that requires more coursework in one term than the other, it is most unwise to attempt to take four courses in one term and two in the other. Experience has shown that students simply cannot manage the load during the heavy term with the result that they either do very badly, fail or are unable to complete the courses in question. As a result Directors of Studies for the degrees and the Faculty staff will not approve a selection of courses which results in an imbalanced workload. An imbalance of courses between terms is only possible with the written permission of the convenor of the degree .
1. Compulsory Course:
- Global Media and Postnational Communication: Theoretical and Contemporary Issues
Course Assessment:- A critical essay of 5,000 words based on reading relevant to issues in global media and postnational communication.
- A critical essay based on a short research project (which may include a multimedia component).
2. Dissertation in Global Media and Postnational Communication
- Dissertation in Media Studies (supervisor to be allocated according to the dissertation topic).
3. Courses in Media Studies
Students are required to take at least TWO half unit courses from List 3.
- Emerging digital cultures in Asia and Africa - Theory and Practice - 15PMSH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- International Political Communication - 15PMSH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Mediated Culture in the Middle East: Politics and Communications - 15PMSH003 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Rethinking Audiences - 15PMSH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Studies in Media, Information Communication Technologies and Development - 15PMSH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Theoretical Issues in Media and Cultural Studies - 15PMSH005 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- The Transnational News Environment: Production, Representation and Use - 15PMSH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Transnational Communities and Diasporic Media:Networking, Connectivity, Identity - 15PMSH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
4. Optional Courses:
Students may take a course or courses up to the value of one full unit from the following lists:
Courses in Cinemas of Asia and Africa
- Japanese Post-war Film Genres and the Avant-garde - 15PMSH001 (0.5 Unit)
- Japanese Television since 1953 - 15PJKC006 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film - 15PSEH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
- Media Spectacle and Urban Space in East Asia - 15PMSH026 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- (Post) Colonialism and Otherness in South East Asia on Screen - 15PSEH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
- Indian Cinema: Its History and Social Context - 15PSAH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Indian Cinema: Key Issues - 15PSAH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Iranian Cinema - 15PMSH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Palestine and the Moving Image - (0.5 Unit)
- Aspects of African film and video 1 - 15PAFH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Aspects of African film and video 2 - 15PAFH007 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
- Arab Cinemas - 15PMSH013 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Approaches to the Other in Horror and Science Fiction Films - 15PANH043 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
- Modern Chinese Film and Theatre (MA) - 15PCHH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
- Modern Film from Taiwan and the Chinese Diaspora - 15PCHH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Critical Approaches to the Study of Regional Cinemas - 15PMSH008 (0.5 Unit) - Full Year
Courses in Social Anthropology
- Culture and Society of China - 15PANC089 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Culture and Society of East Africa - 15PANC084 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Culture and Society of Japan - 15PANC086 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Culture and Society of South Asia - 15PANC087 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Culture and Society of South East Asia - 15PANC088 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Culture and Society of West Africa - 15PANC083 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Culture and Society of the Near & Middle East - 15PANC097 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Anthropology of Development - 15PANC090 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Perspectives On Development - 15PANH033 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
- Media Production Skills - 15PANH050 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Courses in the Department of Development Studies
- Civil society, social movements and the development process - 15PDSH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Courses in the Department of Economics
For the following courses a background is required - admission is on a case-by-case basis
- The economic development of South East Asia - 15PECC004 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Economic problems and policies in modern China - 15PECC035 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Economic dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region - 15PECC334 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Courses in the Department of Politics
- Government and politics of modern South Asia - 15PPOC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Government and politics of modern South East Asia - 15PPOC247 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Courses in the Department of the Languages and Cultures of Africa
Courses in the Department of the Study of Religions and Art and Archaeology
- Christianity and Social Change in Sub Saharan Africa - 15PSRC157 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Contemporary Themes in Media and Religion - (0.5 Unit) - Not Running 2013/14
- Critical Theory and the Study of Religions - 15PSRC037 (1 Unit) - Full Year
- Jewishness on Screen - 15PSRH044 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
- Photography and the Image in Africa; and other Regional Perspectives - 15PARC036 (1.0 Unit) - Not Running 2013/14
- Theory and Method in the Study of Religion - 15PSRC010 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Programme Specification
Teaching & Learning
Destinations
A postgraduate degree in Media from SOAS gives students expertise in media, communications and film production within a global framework. It is a valuable experience that provides students with a body of work and a diverse range of skills that they can use to market themselves with when they graduate. Media and Film Studies students develop a portfolio of transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and creative capacities including communication skills, interpersonal skills, team work, flexibility and dedication. Department graduates have gone into a wide range of careers and to complete research degrees.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
| Associated Press Breakthrough Breast Cancer British Film Institute Comic Relief Cordoba African Film Festival Discovery Communications European Commission Hackney Film Festival | Institute of Ismaili Studies International Channel Shanghai Merlin Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Royal College of Art The Princess Royal Trust for Carers United Nations Zanan TV |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
| Research & Communications Manager Senior Publicist Teacher Events Manager Advisor Designer Journalist International Program Coordinator Creative Assistant Consultant | Communications Officer Policy Advisor e-Learning Co-ordinator Director of Academic Studies Staff Writer Online Editor Public Information Officer Video Journalist Product Manager |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
How to apply
How to apply
- How to Apply
- Online Application
- Funding options
- English language requirements
- Tuition Fees
- Admissions Contacts
Scholarships
For further information visit the Scholarships section
D.G.E. Hall Scholarship
Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 00:00
Felix Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2013-01-31 00:00
SOAS Master's Scholarships - Faculty of Arts & Humanities
Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 17:00
Santander Taught Master’s Scholarships
Application Deadline: 2013-03-22 17:00
A Student's Perspective
Zahrah MamodeI have found studying at SOAS an unbelievable experience, especially as the library houses a unique collections of both print and electronic resources.
