Length of course:	One-year, full-time or two years, part-time, day
Location:	Harrow
Course fees:	See westminster.ac.uk/fees

The MA in Media and Development is an interdisciplinary course that teaches main theories, concepts, case studies and practical media skills around the theme of media and development and its implications for less developed countries. The course will provide you with a unique blend of theory and practice teaching, aimed at deepening your knowledge of the history of communications within the development process of emerging economies. It will critically evaluate the impact of international and regional institutions from a critical political economic perspective. Teaching by academic staff and guest lecturers and carefully selected staff from development organisations will provide you with an overview of the policies, actions and impact of state and non-state institutions within the area of communication media and development.

A distinctive feature is its emphasis on the practical role of communication media in development. You will participate in media production workshops and take part in our managed internship programme, offered in partnership with media and development organisations in London. The work placement programme is in line with the University of Westminster’s strategy of nurturing of the critical practitioner..

Semester One

Core Modules

Theories of Communication

The module is intentionally eclectic. You will cover (in a loosely historical way) the arguments, advantages and problems of the main sociological, cultural and psychological theories about the media. It aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the most important ways of approaching the fundamental issues posed by the relationships between the media of communication and social and economical life. It will also enable you to understand the problems posed by different intellectual traditions, and to place those theories in their proper contexts.

Theories of Development

This module focuses on different theories and approaches to development. It considers key development theories and approaches such as modernization, dependency and Neo-Liberalism and will provide you with an opportunity to critically assess their relevance to specific contexts in developing countries.

Media Production Skills

The module gives students a basic understanding of the structures and practical abilities needed in news journalism. They will develop individual skills in study, research and writing and team skills in designing and writing for the web.

Module Aims:

1. Develop a critical understanding of how print, radio and TV operate
2. Develop news-writing techniques for different media platforms
3. Learn individual and team skills across different media platforms
4. Acquire knowledge of ethical considerations faced by journalists
5. Design and develop a website in teams

Dissertation

A taught module and group workshops in the first semester will guide you in conducting a major piece of independent research. This module will be supplemented by individual supervisions beginning from the second semester. The aim is to give you a guided framework within which you can demonstrate your ability to carry out advanced independent study and write it up in the form of a dissertation. The dissertation is a 15,000-word piece of original research on a topic agreed with your supervisor and related to the political, economic, cultural and/or sociological factors which shape the practices and outcomes of mass media, including media texts and the audience reception of them.

Option Modules

Global Media

This module examines key developments in the media and communications industries associated with the logic of globalization. You will explore the complex nature of the globalization process, focusing on the emergence of both supra-national and sub-national developments and explore the relationship between new contexts of production and questions of collective culture and identity.

Political Analysis of Communications Policy

As international regimes and national regulation become increasingly important in the creation and delivery of communications, it becomes necessary to understand how the two levels interact. This module will introduce you to those theories of policy making and international relations which provide tools for the analysis of communication policies, and their dynamic interaction at the national and international level.

Political Economy of Communication

This module introduces students to the political economy approach to analyzing the structure and performance of communication industries in capitalist economies. It identifies distinctive economic features of media and relates these to trends in the organization of specific media industries, taking account of ways in which the economics of media have been affected by the spread of digital technologies.

Technology and Communication Policy

This module will introduce you to a range of broadcasting and telecommunications technologies, enabling you to assess the economic and political issues surrounding each technology. Topics covered include capital investment in networks, how and why technologies change, strategic interests and communications, and substitutable technologies and the creation markets.

Semester Two

Core Modules

Development and Communications Policy

The aims of this module are to provide you with a theoretical overview of the concept of ‘development’, and the opportunity to consider how it relates to empirical experience in communications in small and developing countries. You will be able to compare the experiences of a range of countries in attempting to retain cultural autonomy, in developing their own communications technologies and policies, in democratization, and in exporting mass media content.

Approaches to Media & Communication Research   

This module will introduce you to the main methods of communication research. We shall look at how to undertake selective quantitative and qualitative methods, understanding and exploring the different stages of the social science research process, from a definition of a research hypothesis, to data collection and analysis. We shall also look at the theoretical reasoning behind different methodological approaches to media and society, in particular the politics of social research.

Work Experience

Students will be encouraged to take work experience during the course. With the number of charities and NGOs dealing with development in London, we expect students will get a placement with an organization and we envisage them working in a communications role.

Option Modules

Electronic Communications: International and Comparative Regulatory Context

This module examines the international liberalization of electronic communications and the role of the international financial institutions in that process. You will focus on the relationship between international and national regulation, privatization and regulation of electronic communications into an international context, and comparing the development of US, EU and UK regulations.

European Communications

Here you will explore the political, economic and industrial context within which communications policy has developed in Europe. You will evaluate the European experience in terms of economic and political integration, and within the wider framework of global (particularly US) developments in media and communications. The topics you will cover include: communications policy in Central and Eastern Europe; EU and US trade flows and the issue of ‘European’ cultural identity; European organizations; European telecommunications, audio-visual and internet policies; high technologies and industrial policy in Europe; and visions of ‘Europe’.

Media Audiences   

This module begins with an overview of media audiences, and goes on to analyse audiences and media institutions, passive/active audiences, media influence and effects, and ethnography and media audiences. The second part of the module is devoted to discussions of media and identity, fans, diasporas and new media audiences.

Media and Politics

You will review the main historical and theoretical debates on propaganda and public opinion, and analyse contemporary techniques of political communication and the relationships between mass media and democracy. The module will give you an introduction (both historical and contemporary) to the role of the media in politics, and to the major debates surrounding this role.

Media Business Strategy

You will study media business and their challenges worldwide. The module will also provide an introduction at postgraduate level to business and strategic issues confronting international media enterprises (both public and private).

Dissertation

A 15000-word dissertation will allow you to identify a research problem and construct a case study in ways that consolidate your theoretical and practical understanding of the role of communication media in development.

Note: The University is constantly improving its offer to students. It is intended that some changes, such as practice options under new course titles, may be approved between printing this brochure and enrolment for this course. You are therefore advised to look at the website for updated details.

Teaching by academic staff and guest lecturers from carefully selected staff from development organizations will cover a range of approaches and activities including, seminars, internships and visits to development media organizations, lectures, video sessions and workshops. Assessment will be by essays, presentations, projects and a dissertation.

Entry Requirements

You should possess, or be expecting, a good first degree (equivalent to at least an Upper Second or a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00) from a recognised university and/or have relevant professional experience. Particular consideration will be given to mature applicants.

You must be able to write and speak fluent English. If English is your second language you should have a score of at least 6.5 IELTS overall with a minimum 6.5 in the writing element. The TOEFL equivalent is 600 overall in the paper-based test (PBT) and 92 in the TOEFL internet-based test (IBT), including at least 20 in the writing element.

Applicants may additionally be asked to write 500 words on a topic assigned by the University. As far as possible, telephone interviews are conducted before offers of admission are made. In these, the interviewer looks for evidence of interest in and commitment to the study of communication, as well as analytical skills.

Related Courses

Communications Policy MA • Global Media MA • Media Management MA • Public Relations MA  • Diversity and the Media MA • International Media Business MA • Journalism International MA • Journalism MA