MA Journalism & Media Communications

University of Hertfordshire

In the first part of the 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. The second part will look at a range of specialist subjects such as internal communications, branding, celebrities, sponsorship and event management. We will also discuss aspects of PR ethics and the role this plays now and in the future with an increasing focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Overall, the module aims to highlight the strong links between the corporate and journalistic aspects of media businesses, in particular magazines, and to equip you with a good range of professional communication tools.

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 aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of some of the theoretical approaches and related critical methodologies which are influential in the scholarly analysis of media texts. Areas covered may include quantitative and qualitative research methods, such as content analysis and media sampling; interview and survey strategies and interpretation; audience research methods; focus groups and observation. Issues of technological convergence and the socio-cultural aspects of the contemporary media landscape. You will be invited to assess the strengths and limitations of different frameworks and learn to understand their application in media practice

This module is designed to help you develop advanced skills necessary for postgraduate study. Topics covered may include the use of specialist search engines and databases, how to access and effectively research electronic journals and professional databases, planning and structuring longer pieces of work, writing abstracts, constructing literature reviews, presenting your work to an audience, and writing for publication. It will also equip students planning to undertake the work placement with valuable project planning skills and discuss the range of skills needed in the workplace. This module will equip you with the know-how to embark on your final MA project and allows you to develop a valuable portfolio of transferable skills relevant to a wide range of graduate careers.