MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year

University of Hertfordshire

In this module, you are introduced to corporate communication and its historic development from traditional Public Relations to an integrated Corporate Communications approach. You will then look at the ways in which companies develop and maintain a positive reputation, how to design a strong corporate identity and what are the key elements of a good communications strategy.

This module explores the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on journalism and media communications. Topics include AI-driven reporting and content creation, algorithmic curation, deepfakes and synthetic media, data ethics, and regulatory frameworks. Students critically examine the opportunities and risks AI creates for professional practice and develop hands-on experience with AI tools used in contemporary media environments, combining theoretical analysis with applied experimentation.

The placement year provides you with the opportunity to use and reinforce the subject specific and intellectual knowledge and skills you have gained through your degree in workplace. It will allow you to gain practical experience in a specific part of the media industry and strengthen your disciplinary and transferable skills such as time management and communication with co-workers. The year-long placement also gives you the opportunity to acquire the basis of industry experiences in your chosen field. Handshake, which provides our careers and placement service, will guide you in sourcing and applying for your work placemen. Past placements have been within broadcast, newspapers, marketing, social media management and non-governmental organisations. This module is underpinned by the recognition of ethical and legal regulatory frameworks in the media industry and a deep regard for diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace.

This module provides you with a detailed understanding of the communication strategies including those of social media in the media and creative industries. You will apply theory to practice by developing a range of media products and a social media strategy that simulates a real-world scenario. You will examine key questions such as: communications strategies, branding, copyright, market segmentation, user behaviour, advertising and digital business models. Through-out the module you will be learning media production skills including: editing and manipulation of text and images, knowledge of a content management systems, blogs and developing social media assets for different platforms. You will also consider the implications of AI systems on supporting content creation, analysing user patterns, monitoring and measuring brand visibility. This is a creative module and there is an emphasis on enterprise and innovation and along with technical skills you will develop soft skills such as pitching ideas and presenting research to offer solutions to a real world scenario.

This module gives you the opportunity to investigate and write in depth about an area of individual interest related to the media industries. The emphasis is on independent thought, research and writing, but this will be supported in an agreed programme of supervision. The topic should be appropriate to postgraduate level and chosen by you in consultation with your supervisor. The dissertation should be 14000 words in length and aim to make a distinctive contribution to work in the relevant field. This module is underpinned by the recognition of ethical and legal regulatory frameworks in the media industry and a deep regard for diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace.