Centre for Global Media and Communications

MA Media in Development (2022 entry)

Select year of entry: 2022 2021

Overview

Overview and entry requirements

This MA Media in Development programme challenges the assumptions behind the media and development industries and development studies and offers new ways of thinking about the critical issues facing societies today such as climate change. The approach balances critical theoretical analysis of the hegemony implied by the ideas and practices of development with the practical issues surrounding the use of contemporary media, including the use of digital technologies for development communication, online activism, developmental journalism, and information and communications technologies for development (ICT4D).

The MA Media in Development course draws on from critical media and cultural studies’ theory, practical knowledge and experience, alongside critical debates within and about development, to challenge assumptions about the role of media and development industries as agents of change in the contemporary world. Students combine critical theoretical analysis of the role of media in development with a focus on practical issues surrounding the use of media, including digital technologies. The programme differs from other degrees in the field by placing the onus on the role of media to further the development agenda, especially post the Second World War, critically negotiating its origins in West-centric ideas of modernisation, social change and progress and their relevance in today's multipolar world. Students benefit from the unique position of the Centre for Media Studies as a specialist institution for the study of media in the global south.

Our research in film and media has been ranked in the top 20 in the UK in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, with more than a third of our research publications assessed as 4* (world-leading). See Centre for Global Media and Communications

Who should apply

It is designed for those with an interest in global media and development, including media and development professionals seeking alternative ways of thinking about their roles as practitioners and activists. It provides an excellent foundation for MPhil/PhD research.

Please note that not all optional modules are available every year (see 'Structure' tab for more information).

Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings

Start of programme: September intake only

Mode of Attendance: Full-time or Part-time

Entry requirements

We will consider all applications with a 2:2 (or international equivalent) or higher in social science of humanities subject. In addition to degree classification we take into account other elements of the application such as supporting statement. References are optional, but can help build a stronger application if you fall below the 2:2 requirement or have non-traditional qualifications.

Please see our 'postgraduate entry requirements' page for Overseas and EU qualifications and equivalencies.

Featured events

Fees 2022/23

Home students fees:: £11,980

Overseas students fees:: £23,400

Fees for 2022/23 entrants. This is a Band 1 fee. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year. Further details can be found on the Postgraduate tuition fees page

Convenors

Dr Somnath Batabyal Convenor

Structure

Students must take 180 credits comprised of 120 taught credits (including core and option modules) and a 60 credit dissertation.

Dissertation

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Dissertation MA Media and Development	15PMSC997	60	Full Year

Taught Component

Core Module

All students will take the following core module:

Module	Code	Credits	Term

Compulsory Module

All students will take the following compulsory module:

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Qualitative Research Methods	15PMSC033	15	Term 2

Guided Options

All students will take the modules to the value of 30 credits from list of Media studies modules running each year (below)

AND

Open Options

All students will take the modules to the value of 45 credits from list of recommended options below or from open options list if approved by programme convenor

Students may select 30 credits from SOAS online-learning modules. This is subject to approval from the programme convenor

List of modules (subject to availability)

Media Studies

Module	Code	Credits	Term
International Political Communication	15PMSH009	15	Term 2
Prejudice, Conspiracy and Misinformation: Understanding the Debate around '(Post)-Truth'	15PMSH038	15	Term 1
Mediated Culture in the Middle East: Politics and Communications	15PMSH003	15	Term 2
International Journalisms in the Digital Context: Theory and Practice	15PMSH006	15	Term 1
Transnational Communities and Diasporic Media:Networking, Connectivity, Identity	15PMSH004	15	Term 2
Theoretical Issues in Global Media and Communication	15PMSH036	15	Term 1
Topics in Global Media and Communication	15PMSH037	15	Term 2

Options in Other Departments

Social Anthropology

Module	Code	Credits	Term
750A Ethnographic Locations: Sub-Saharan Africa	15PANH063	15	Term 2

Politics

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Government And Politics In Africa	15PPOC205	30
Politics of Globalisation and Development	15PPOC017	30 Credits

Development Studies

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Aid and Development	15PDSH027	15	Term 2
Civil society, social movements and the development process	15PDSH001	15	Term 2
Gender and Development	15PDSH010	15	Term 1

Music

Module	Code	Credits	Term
Music in Development	15PMUC034	15	Term 2
Sound Recording and Production	15PMSH025	15	Term 1

East Asian Languages and Cultures

Module	Code	Credits	Term

Programme Specification

MA Media in Development Programme Specification (pdf; 229kb)

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching & Learning

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

How to assess data and evidence critically from texts, manuscripts, audio and video sources, both analog and digital, solve problems of conflicting sources and conflicting interpretations, develop skills in critical judgements of complex source materials, locate materials in print and on line, use research resources (particularly research library catalogues and websites) and other relevant traditional and electronic sources.
Knowledge and understanding of the dynamics and debates about the role of media and Information Communication Technologies in the development process: to be able to critically examine the discourses of development, the roles of national and international organizations, NGOs, citizens in defining and producing development and the emergence of critical and alternative paradigms for sustainable societies; to be aware of the key theoretical issues surrounding the role of media and Information Communication Technologies in development processes; to be able to analytically disaggregate economic, political, social and cultural strands of development and the nature of mediated practices within each; develop awareness of emergent models of sustainable development in which contemporary media practices play a key role; analyze the role of the media in hegemonic representations of social change and development.

Intellectual (thinking) skills

To be critical and precise in their assessment of evidence, and to understand through practice what documents and electronic sources can and cannot tell us. Such skills should improve and be refined throughout the programme.
Question theories and interpretations, however authoritative, and critically reassess evidence for themselves. Students will learn how to question and challenge the accepted tenets both of development and media as the means of transmission of messages. These skills should improve and be refined throughout the programme.
Critically interrogate situated empirical examples of specific media and Information Communication Technologies practices in development contexts in Asia, Africa, Middle East

Subject-based practical skills

Communicate effectively in writing
Retrieve, sift and select information from a variety of conventional and electronic sources
Communicate orally to a group. Listen and discuss ideas introduced during seminars and classes.
Practise research techniques in a variety of specialized research libraries and institutes.
Have developed some new competencies in digital media production and dissemination

Transferable skills

Write good essays and dissertations
Structure and communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing
Understand unconventional ideas
Study a variety of written and digital materials, in libraries, on line and research libraries of a kind they will not have used as undergraduates.
Present material orally to a group.
Have developed a range of on-line competencies

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for 2022/23 entrants, per academic year (Band 1 tuition fee)

Full-time		Part-time 2 Years		Part-time 3 Years
Home Students	Overseas Students	Home Students	Overseas Students	Home Students	Overseas Students
£11,980	£23,400	£5,990	£11,700	£3,955	£7,725

Fees go up each year, therefore, your tuition fee in your second and subsequent years of study will be higher.

Our continuing students, on the same degree programme, are protected from annual increases higher than 5%.

For full details of postgraduate tuition fees see our postgraduate tuition fees page.

Scholarships

Felix Non- Indian Scholarship

Application Deadline: 2022-01-28 15:00