Media and Communication: Digital Culture and Communication pathway MA

By studying this MA in Media and Communication you will develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of different forms of communication in their social, political and cultural contexts, focusing either on the relationship between the media and politics in contemporary societies or, on digital culture and communication. The Digital Culture and Communication pathway offers an excellent opportunity for you to engage with contemporary issues and debates on culture, media and society in the digital age. The pathway critically examines the relationship between media, technology and everyday life and it encourages students to analytically reflect on their own digital cultures, identities and everyday practices.

The pathway is built around core modules which focus on the theories and debates surrounding: the role and impact of cultures of communication and media in the digital age; technologies that are in the contemporary public eye, such as the Internet, social media, “Big Data”, mobile devices etc; research methods used in media and communication research. You will develop skills that directly enhance employability, including applying critical reviewing skills, giving presentations, plus data management, problem-solving, team-working and research design and implementation.

Key areas of research strength include: communication, politics and power; media theory; political and independent cinema; gender and identity in media; media, ethics and human rights; media and war; new media and digital communication; media discourse; global entertainment and media industries; media, space and place; media and heritage; sociolinguistics, communication and language; and media and cultural identity.

This broad range of research expertise underpins the two pathways we offer – ‘Media and Politics’ and ‘Digital Culture and Communication’. We also run two regular research seminar series – the Liverpool Film Seminar and the Media and Politics Seminar Series – which postgraduate students are encouraged to participate in.

The department's actively contributing to the development of our field through research, key subject associations, conference organisation and speaking engagements, and editorial board membership of significant journals. Our activities include internationally recognised research, linking political science and communication studies primarily through crossover interests in public and digital communication within the British, European and International political and cultural contexts.

Careers:

Student career development is a major interest for the department and we actively encourage students to integrate career planning into their academic studies. This is promoted through individual modules which have strong policy and career relevant aspects, and a close relationship with the University’s excellent Careers Service who provide bespoke sessions for students.

Through this programme graduates will enhance their career prospects in professional areas like cultural and non-profit institutions, media, journalism and government. While some positions in these fields often require the ability to conduct research or project-work and to demonstrate sustained and complex organisational skills in ways encompassed by this MA, its emphasis on oral and written communication skills as well as on IT-based presentation skills and research will be useful for many types of employment. As a strongly academic degree, this MA offers a good preparation also for those graduates who wish to further their academic study through a PhD.

Students wishing to be considered for registration onto our Masters degree should possess a good Honours degree (2:1 or equivalent).