COURSE SPECIFICATION: Core Award Data

COURSE SPECIFICATION: Core Award Data

Bachelor of Arts with Honours [BA (Hons)] Media

AWARDING INSTITUTION Robert Gordon University

INSTITUTION OF DELIVERY Robert Gordon University

COURSE ACCREDITED BY None.

COURSE ACCREDITATION / RECOGNITION None.

AWARDS Stage 1 Students are awarded a Certificate of Higher Education Media on successful completion of Stage One of the course (120 credits). Stage 2 Students are awarded a Diploma of Higher Education Media on successful completion of Stage Two of the course (240 credits). Stage 3 Students are awarded a BA Media on successful completion of Stage Three of the course (360 credits). Stage 4 Students are awarded a BA (Hons) Media (with appropriate Honours classification) on successful completion of Stage Four of the course (480 credits).

AWARD TYPE Undergraduate

MODES OF STUDY
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Full-time

DURATION OF COURSE Full-time: 4 years

LANGUAGE OF STUDY English

LANGUAGE OF ASSESSMENT English

UCAS CODE P4P5

JACS CODE P300

RELEVANT QAA SUBJECT GROUP Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies

DATE OF PRODUCTION / REVISION 17 September 2012

INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE Whilst studying BA(Hons) Media, the student will develop a broad understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the media, in print, broadcast and online formats, as well as an appreciation of the structure and context of the industry and its various facets. The content for the Media course has been created with the real world of contemporary media in mind. The student will gain an understanding of the manner in which the global media operates and the factors which impact on its strategic management. As the industry becomes increasingly global and digital technology becomes more sophisticated, the opportunities for the industry are both exciting and challenging. A degree in Media from Robert Gordon University will give the student the skills needed to make the most of those opportunities. The student will gain a thorough grounding in essential skills in media production (print, broadcast and online), research, communication, reporting, digital media and media handling. Additionally, there is a focus on imparting a wide range of key transferable skills in research, oral presentation techniques, time management and IT skills; all of which are imperative for the media profession. The six week industrial placement in Stage 3 provides the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of the student's choice within the media industries. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and establish links with potential employers. Links exist with a range of placement companies including newspaper and magazine publishers such as Scotsman
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Publications, The Big Issue, Bloomsbury Publishing, SMG Newspapers, and BBC Educational and Factual Magazines. Students may also be placed in broadcast media organisations including Northsound Radio and Scottish Television, as well as in promotional and marketing roles, and in web design companies. Application is made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). UK/European Union (EU) applicants International applicants Application deadlines Late applications process

EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE COURSE The course aims to prepare the student for a professional career in the media; to provide him or her with the skills with which to undertake study in the media field with an appropriate concern for scholarship and academic rigour; and to generate a deep interest in, and enthusiasm for, media such that students and graduates are motivated to continually update their knowledge and understanding of contemporary media. Aims of Each Stage of the Course Stage 1 The aim of the course at this stage is to produce students who will demonstrate a basic knowledge and understanding of the media industry and environment and the ways in which the core sectors of the industry interact. The student will be introduced to learning and study in higher education and equipped with generic transferable skills in order to allow them to study effectively, to identify and use relevant sources of information, and draw appropriate conclusions and effectively communicate the results using written, oral, digital and graphical means. Stage 2 Stage 2 aims to enable the student to further demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the media environment and the way in which the basic disciplines and processes interact, draw appropriate conclusions and effectively communicate the results using written, oral, digital and graphical means. The student will display knowledge and understanding of core academic and professional elements of the media and communication environments and the theory and policy which underpins this academic field. The student will be provided with the knowledge which enables the understanding of the interdependence of advertising, public relations and marketing strategies; and the significance of media management within this. Specific technical and journalistic skills will be gained. Stage 3 The aim of Stage 3 is to develop the student's ability to efficiently manage project work and to enable the student to develop and demonstrate the enterprise requirements of interpersonal, group problem-solving and decision-making skills. The student will further develop their skills in designing effective formats for media and will be provided with the skills that underpin such activities. The student will be enabled to apply the range of relevant conceptual, managerial and evaluative skills. The student will be expected to critically evaluate the role of the media in the communication of ideas and information, the provision of entertainment, and within the wider social, cultural and political context. The student will take increasing responsibility for learning and decision making, which will be demonstrated by a greater level of independent study. In order to underpin this development, the student will develop the skills to recognise and apply research approaches and methods. A six-week industrial placement provides the student with the opportunity to apply academic and practitioner knowledge and skills to a workplace related to their particular area of study. Stage 4 Stage 4 enables the student to engage in in-depth self-directed study; acquire an increased breadth of understanding within a range of high-level modules; further develop an ability to analyse and critically appraise problems and demonstrate an adaptability for future employment in industry and commerce in a rapidly changing environment. At this stage the focus of all the taught modules is on development of strategic and critical thinking abilities and the dissertation module allows the student to apply these in a very focused manner through research and a self-selected topic.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES The following learning outcomes describe what a student is expected to know and be able to do if he or she has taken full advantage of the opportunities for learning provided by the course. A student who has successfully completed the BA(Hons) Media should possess the following attributes: Knowledge and Understanding of: Demonstrate an understanding and knowledge of key media, communication and publishing concepts and principles. Demonstrate an understanding of how media structures and products are related to the market, the state and the community. Demonstrate a knowledge of communication design theory and application. Explain the basic concepts, principles, theories and models which apply to management and marketing. The Practical Skills to: Produce clear, accurate oral and written communication, appropriate to purpose and target audience. Retrieve and evaluate information from a variety of sources to underpin a research activity. Apply industry-standard software to document design and layout. The Intellectual Skills to: Identify and discuss principles and ideas in contemporary media, publishing and communication. Bring together facts, ideas and elements in support of an argument or case. Identify and discuss appropriate presentation, design and visual solutions. The Key Employability, Enterprise and Transferrable Skills to: Practise and demonstrate professional competence in the full range of numerical and technical skills associated with the specialist areas covered by the course, including appropriate data analysis/statistical skills. Engage effectively in a range of independent roles; and debate in a confident, professional manner Begin to work autonomously or with minimal guidance, effectively manage individual personal development whilst also being capable of interacting confidently and effectively within groups. Practise and demonstrate professional competence in the full range of skills associated with the use of Information and Communication Technologies and their specialist application within the communication and media professions.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF COURSE The course is taught at the Aberdeen Business School, situated on the beautiful parkland Garthdee Campus. The modern purpose-built School encompasses state of the art lecture theatres, teaching labs, IT facilities, media centre, TV and radio studios. The School's library houses comprehensive collections of journals, case studies and management reports as well as an extensive range of electronic resources. The BA (Hons) Media course at Robert Gordon University encompasses a range of theoretical, analytical and production elements. This mixed approach to the study of the subject is important both for those who intend to use their degree to make a career in the media industries and for those with more general interests in the subject area. The degree provides an understanding of the social, economic and political roles of the media in contemporary societies. This includes the study of the ways that media output is funded, regulated, produced and consumed, and an examination of the effects of this output on audiences. There is a particular focus on the development of skills and methods required for the analysis of media texts. Film, television and radio programmes, newspapers, magazines, advertisements, music and the internet are all subject to detailed analysis with regards to the structure and communication of information, meaning and enjoyment. Additionally the student gains skills in media production; including a focus on print, broadcast and electronic communication. The course is delivered as part of the Department of Communication, Marketing and Media. Staff within that Department have expertise within the broad subject areas of Journalism and the Media; Publishing Studies; IT and Electronic Publishing; Corporate Communication; Mass Communication, Public Relations, Cultural Studies; Marketing and Advertising; Digital Media and Intercultural Communication. This expertise is underpinned by research within these key themes. Additionally, staff have relevant practitioner experience in areas including journalism, magazine and books
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staff have relevant practitioner experience in areas including journalism, magazine and books publishing, production, technical authoring, editing and writing, marketing and public relations, which helps to underpin the delivery of the courses in terms of practical examples and case studies. Such contacts in the industry also provide useful links with regards to guest speakers, student company visits and the organisation of live client projects all of which play an important role in the course. The six-week industrial placement in Stage 3 gives the student the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of his/her choice within the publishing and media industries. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and establish links with potential employers. The course has established links with media organisations, such as Scotsman Publications, Northsound Radio, BBC, Scottish Television, SMG Newspapers, and AVC Media Enterprises.

WHAT THE COURSE INVOLVES The student will undertake four 15-credit modules per semester (or three if one is worth 30 credits). There are approximately three hours of contact time per week for each 15-credit module, therefore contact hours for students are approximately 12 hours of timetabled classes per week. This typically involves a range of lectures, tutorials and lab-based practical sessions. Over and above this, the student will be expected to work independently to undertake further reading and research to underpin their studies. The student will be expected to spend time preparing for interactive tutorials and completing coursework. The environment in the Aberdeen Business School, with study space in the library and open access IT labs, provides the student with an appropriately equipped place to work beyond the timetabled hours. Some modules in Stage One, for example Marketing, are delivered across the Aberdeen Business School and provide the student with the opportunity to engage with students on a variety of courses. Tutorials in such modules are taught to individual cohorts (typically with no more than 20 students in each) and provide an opportunity to deliver subject-specific case studies and examples. Subjects such as Digital Animation and Media History are delivered in small groups to only the Media students, and this allows the opportunity to engage individually with members of staff. Practical elements of the course, such as Digital Media Platforms & Practices and Web Design, are taught in IT labs. Project-based work, such as the Communication Project in Stage Three, allows the student to pursue his/her own areas of interest as well as work in teams with their peers. Stage Four is very much student-lead and provides the opportunity to undertake an extended piece of work, ie the dissertation, along with a dedicated member of staff who acts as their dissertation supervisor. The six-week industrial placement in Stage 3 gives the student the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of their choice within the communication and media industries. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and establish links with potential employers, and is organised with the help of the Placement Office, which is part of the Aberdeen Business School. The course has established links with media organisations, such as Scotsman Publications, Northsound Radio, BBC, Scottish Television, SMG Newspapers and AVC Media Enterprises.

PLACEMENT / PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE The six-week industrial placement in Stage 3 gives the student the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of their choice within the communication and media industries. This is an invaluable opportunity to gain practical experience and establish links with potential employers, and is organised with the help of the Placement Office, which is part of the Aberdeen Business School. The course has established links with media organisations, such as Scotsman Publications, Northsound Radio, BBC, Scottish Television, SMG Newspapers and AVC Media Enterprises.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDY An Honours degree achieved with at least an upper second (Class 2.1) classification will normally provide access to postgraduate and doctoral programmes in higher education institutions.

Bachelor of Arts with Honours [BA (Hons)] Media

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EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL INDICATORS OF QUALITY AND STANDARDS The Department of Communication, Marketing and Media aims to foster and sustain excellence in the academic fields of communication, media and publishing in relation to teaching, learning and assessment, and invigorate enthusiasm for and achieve quality in research in these areas'. As such, staff in the Department are committed to research and scholarship that underpins course development and delivery. The main research areas within the Department relate to three main cognitive areas, namely communication, publishing and media, with some areas of research covering more than one cognitive area (e.g. women in media, intercultural communication). Research themes and existing research activity and interests relate to a range of areas including: journalism and mass communication; film and visual communication; corporate communication/public relations; intercultural communication; women in media and communication; political communication; media history; and electronic publishing. The QAA benchmarking statement of 2002 in the field of Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies represents the nature, characteristics and expected standards of an Honours degree in these related subject areas; and articulates the attributes and capabilities that those possessing such qualifications should demonstrate. Such QAA benchmarks underpin programme design and delivery - and provide general guidance for articulating learning outcomes of the courses as a whole; thereby ensuring programme, course and module evaluation against appropriate standards. SCQF statements are used during the design of modules, courses and programmes and the relevant SCQF level is included within each Module Descriptor. The Department makes use of External Examiners to monitor quality in assessment in terms of both specification and students' work, and they are in attendance at Assessment Boards. External Examiners are appointed from both academic and practitioner backgrounds, as well as from both traditional and new universities of high reputation; and cover the key subject areas. Curriculum development and delivery within the undergraduate programme in the field of media, communication, publishing and journalism takes professional / practitioner requirements into consideration. The Department has strong links with related industry and involves practitioners in terms of guest lectures, the provision of live client projects and industry visits. Additionally, the Departmental Employer Industrial Liaison Group meets regularly to enhance partnership working, build links with local employers and ensure the delivery of appropriate and relevant programmes and course materials. The Group comprises a range of companies and organisations, the majority from industry, and a significant proportion are international in scope. Industry group sessions are designed to maximise critical input from external members in order to ensure their creativity and productivity. A number of experienced academic staff act as External Examiners and are invited to participate in review and validation events at other universities and academic institutions. Such activity is clearly a mark of esteem and serves as a useful benchmarking tool for the Department and subject area as a whole. Experience gained in this capacity is used to enhance the Department's provision.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS This course is governed by the provisions of the University's Academic Regulations, which are available at www.rgu.ac.uk/academicaffairs/quality/page.cfm?pge=1826. In particular: Regulation A1: Courses Regulation A2: Admission Regulation A3: Student Conduct, Appeals and Complaints Regulation A4: Assessment and Recommendations of Assessment Boards Entry Requirements Applicants must satisfy the University's general admission requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate courses as contained in Academic Regulation A2: Admission , including proficiency to a minimum standard in the English language. Specific entry requirements for this course are detailed below. SQA Higher: BBCC including English at B GCE A level: CCC including English or Communication ILC Higher BBC1C1 including English at B (Irish not considered)

Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC and some access programmes will be considered.
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Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC and some access programmes will be considered. Candidates are not normally interviewed. However if deemed appropriate, the School may exceptionally request an interview. Course-Specific Assessment Regulations The thesis is a core module. If a Stage 4 student does not obtain a pass in this module, the student will not qualify for an Honours degree and will (assuming all other necessary modules have been passed) be entitled to an unclassified BA only. Normally students with a profile of less than 60 credits at C and 60 credits at D at second attempt at the end of Stage 3 will be counseled not to progress to Honours.

SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION None.

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The University has a strong commitment to the active promotion of equality across its functions. This commitment is reflected in the University's values, details of which may be found at: www.rgu.ac.uk/diversity/info/page.cfm. The University's Disability and Dyslexia Service provides support for students, details of which may be found at: www.rgu.ac.uk/diversity/students/page.cfm?pge=85449. All Schools also have a nominated member of staff who can advise on the requirements of the course and reasonable adjustments that may be made. The current School Disability Contacts are available from www.rgu.ac.uk/studentservices/disability/page.cfm?pge=7853.

NOTE This document constitutes one of two course documents that should be read together: Course Specification: Core Award Data Course Specification: Student Learning Experience CONTACT DETAILS Robert Gordon University Schoolhill Aberdeen AB10 1FR Scotland, UK A Scottish Charity, Registration No. SC013781 Telephone: +44 (0)1224 262000 Web: http://www.rgu.ac.uk In compiling this information the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, though it must be read as subject to change at any time and without notice. The University reserves the right to make variations to the contents or methods of delivery of courses, to discontinue, merge or combine courses, and to introduce new courses. Printed: 15 Apr 2013 Record Number: 0224 Version Number: 6

Bachelor of Arts with Honours [BA (Hons)] Media

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DETAILED COURSE STRUCTURE

Full-time Stage 1 BS1262 BS1289 BS1290 Semester 1 Professional Writing The Media Business Visual Culture and Design Total for Semester: CREDITS 15 15 30 60 LEVEL SCQF 7 SCQF 7 SCQF 7

Full-time Stage 1 BS1225 BS1253 BS1288 BS1292 Semester 2 Marketing Digital Animation Digital Media Platforms And Practices Communication Principles And Theory Total for Semester: CREDITS 15 15 15 15 60 LEVEL SCQF 7 SCQF 7 SCQF 7 SCQF 7

Total for Stage:

120

Full-time Stage 2 BS1258 BS2247 BS2290 Semester 1 Introduction To Media Law Advertising Communication Documentary Discourse and Practice Total for Semester: CREDITS 15 15 30 60 LEVEL SCQF 7 SCQF 8 SCQF 8

Full-time Stage 2 BS2257 BS2278 BS2291 Semester 2 Web Design Media Production Project Media Semiotics And Discourse Total for Semester: CREDITS 15 30 15 60 LEVEL SCQF 8 SCQF 8 SCQF 8

Total for Stage:

120

Full-time Stage 3 BS3138 BS3344 BS3347 BS3348 BS3349 BS3350 BS3922 Semester 1 Interactive Media Project Foreign University Study 8 Foreign University Study 9 Foreign University Study 10 Foreign University Study 11 Media History Communication Project Management CREDITS 15 15 15 15 15 15 30 LEVEL SCQF 9 SCQF 9 SCQF 9 SCQF 9 SCQF 9 SCQF 9 SCQF 9 A B B B B A A

Bachelor of Arts with Honours [BA (Hons)] Media

COURSE SPECIFICATION: Core Award Data

Total for Semester: Route A - Taught route in Aberdeen Route B - For students undertaking study abroad at a partner institution

60

Full-time Stage 3 BS3923 Semester 2 Communication Project Practice CREDITS 30 LEVEL SCQF 9

Choose 1 option module from the following group: BS3233 BS3926 Fieldwork Media Theory And Practice Total for Semester: 30 30 60 SCQF 9 SCQF 9

Total for Stage:

120

Full-time Stage 4 BS4302 Semester 1 Research Methods (Creative Industries) CREDITS 15 LEVEL SCQF 10

Choose 3 option modules from the following group: BS4133 BS4146 BS4160 BS4163 BS4276 Investigative Journalism Intercultural Communication Postmodern Culture Business Creativity Women And The Media Total for Semester: 15 15 15 15 15 60 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10

Full-time Stage 4 BS4292 Semester 2 Dissertation (Communication And Media) CREDITS 30 LEVEL SCQF 10

Choose 2 option modules from the following group: BS4164 BS4173 BS4209 BS4220 BS4257 BS4305 Media Strategy Celebrity Culture Corporate Ethics Leadership Political Communication Cinema and Society Total for Semester: 15 15 15 15 15 15 60 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10 SCQF 10

Total for Stage:

120

Bachelor of Arts with Honours [BA (Hons)] Media

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COURSE STRUCTURE DIAGRAM SCQF Framework The course structure is based on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The Framework comprises 12 Levels of which Levels 7-10 are directly relevant to the course, as shown below. Students generally enter university education from secondary school at Level 7. Honours degree awards are at Level 10. The table also shows:

Structure of BA(Hons) Corporate Communication

Award / Exit Award

Scottish Credit + Qualifications Framework

Minimum level + Credit Requirements

Number of academic study years to complete the course in the School 1

Stage 1

Stage 2

Certificate of Higher Education (Exit Award) Diploma of Higher Education (Exit Award) BA (Exit Award)

SHE 1 (SCQF level 7)

SHE 2 (SCQF level 8)

Stage 3

SHE3 (SCQF level 9)

Stage 4

BA (Hons)

SHEH (SCQF level 10)

120 credits (Minimum of 90 credits at SCQF 7) 240 credits (Minimum of 90 credits at SCQF 8) 360 credits (Minimum of 60 credits at SCQF 9) 480 credits (Minimum of 180 credits at SCQF 9 and 10 a minimum of 90 credits at SCQF 10)

Bachelor of Arts with Honours [BA (Hons)] Media

10