BA Media and Sociology (PL33)

Course Aims

The BA Media and Sociology draws together the core content of the BSc Communications, Media and Society and the BA Sociology. It is designed to enable you to develop an interdisciplinary understanding of the key debates, concepts and methods that inform and underpin the study of the media and society. This degree is less communications theory based than the single honours degree.

During your studies you will be able to select optional modules offered by the Sociology and Media Departments, allowing you to tailor your degree to your personal interests. Our supportive and stimulating learning environment will help you to develop the ability to work independently and will foster skills in critical analysis, communication, research methods, group work and employability.

Course Structure and Content

The first year of the degree course consist of core modules. These provide the common foundation for the second and third year, where students can choose from a range of advanced specialist modules. Year one is a qualifying year and marks attained do not count towards the final degree classification, although you have to pass all modules in order to proceed into the second year. In Year 2, you have the chance to participate in an international exchange programme which incorporates a wide range of universities abroad. Please contact erasmus@le.ac.uk for more information.

Year 1

Year 1 module descriptions

First year modules are designed to introduce you to key theories and concepts used in sociological analysis as well as key concepts and institutions involved in the study of Mass Communication. You will attend six core modules which comprise three introductory media modules and three sociology modules. By the end of your first year you should have a good grasp of the key facets of the media-audience relationship and of key processes of social change and social problems.

Year 2

Year 2 module descriptions

The second year builds upon the knowledge that you have gained in your first year by providing the opportunity to study more specialised modules. You will study three core media modules, two core sociology modules and one optional sociology module. Emphasis is placed on the democratic and political dimension of the mass media while the role of popular culture is given due attention as well. In year 2, you will also study the key research methods and approaches used for analysing media content, studying media organisations and media audiences, and you will learn to analyse, interpret and present numeric data using statistical techniques. 

Year 3

Year 3 module descriptions

The third year comprises of four optional modules that will enable you to tailor your studies to reflect your interests. You will choose from a range of areas including global development, culture, science, film, advertising & consumption culture, celebrity culture and international affairs and you will gain a sound understanding of the media’s social, political and cultural significance within specialised contexts. Alongside your taught modules, you will produce a 12- 15,000 word dissertation focusing on an area of media and communications or sociology that particularly interests you.

How you study

Teaching during the first year of the degree is by a combination of lectures and small group seminars. All lectures are taught by subject specialist lecturers. A variety of teaching approaches are employed in the third year options, depending on the subject matter. On some modules students present their original research; group analysis of media content for changing images of gender or monitoring the news coverage of science and the environment. One to one teaching is also a feature of the course: for their dissertation students are allocated a personal supervisor who they will meet regularly.

All first year students attend study skills sessions and presentation workshops during the first few weeks of the degree. These sessions are organised to develop presentation and essay writing skills.

Assessment

Most modules are assessed by a combination of a class presentation, written assignments and an examination. In addition, third year students are required to complete a 12,000-15,000 word dissertation on a topic within the field of media and communication or sociology. To progress through the degree students will need to pass all the relevant elements of assessment.                           

Core and Optional Modules

Year One

Year 1 - full module descriptions

• The Study of Media Audiences
• The Media in Britain
• The Media in the International Context
• Social Change, Identity & Behaviour
• The Sociological Imagination
• Research Methods I

Year Two

Year 2 - full module descriptions

• The Communication of Politics

• Media, Identity and the Popular

• Analysing Communication Processes

• Research Methods 2

• Classical Sociological Theory

In Year 2 you will also take one of the following sociology modules:

• Sociology of Deviance
• Youth Culture
• Gender, Sex and Mortality
• Health, Illness and the Body

Year Three

You will choose four of the following modules:

Year 3 - full module descriptions

 Science, Environment & Risk Communication

 The Media, Celebrity and Fan Culture 

 Media and Communication in Practice

 The Media on Film

 Advertising and Cultural Communication

 Media Law

 Technology, Culture and Power: Global Perspectives

 Music as Communication

 Global Affairs: Communications, Culture, Power

 Media and the Body

 Activism and Protest in the Information Age

 Broadcasting of Crisis

 Urban Life and Social Control

 Media, Language and Interaction

 Ageing, Death and the Life course

 Science and Society

Why study Media at Leicester?
Entry requirements and how to apply
Career Opportunities