入学要求 Requirement：
学术要求： Normally a good Honours degree from a UK institution; preferably in the field of sociology; media; communications; or information; an equivalent overseas qualification or an equivalent professional qualification.
英语要求：
•IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
•TOEFL Paper test: 580 (TWE 4.5)
•TOEFL Internet test: 92 (R20, L20, S20, W20)
学费 Tuition Fee：2011/2012 £12,650
课程特征 Course Features：
The course combines theoretical and empirical study of the media including issues of media audiences together with the study of developments in information and communication technologies. The department scored highly in the 2008 RAE exercise with a rating that made it the top department of its size in the UK. We have a long tradition of research in Sociology and Communications and all of our staff are research active.
The course will meet the needs of advanced students with backgrounds in media, sociology and other relevant disciplines, as well as professionals in the communications/broadcast industry seeking to gain a more sociologically informed understanding of those industries
课程内容 Course Content ：
Modules (all core)
Creative Industries
This module explores the significance of creative industries and how they operate in various spheres of social life. The module focuses on how the notion of ‘creativity’ has emerged in the economy and society, its ideological significance, and the positive and negative consequences it has brought for society. Particular topics addressed are the rise of the creative class, the symbolic economy, immaterial labour, gentrification of cities, and advertising and branding.
Making Web Cultures
This module provides students with an informed and practical understanding of the significance of contemporary computer-mediated communications and its everyday uses. It focuses on how the internet is a key site for understanding transformations in new media. A unique aspect of the module enables students to both study and practically make use of the social media being explored. Topics include: the characteristics of online social networks; analysing social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Blogging culture; use of web technologies for collaboration, e.g. Wikis; surveillance and privacy.
Media Audiences
Main topics of study: theoretical approaches to media audiences, gender and genre: cross-national and 'subversive' audiences; domestic technologies; media power and 'minority' readings; media production and audiences; television audiences and contemporary public issues (news and politics, health and illness, sexual violence); media effects/ influence debates; 'active' audience theory.
Qualitative Methods in Social and Cultural Research
Main Topics of Study: conceptual and practical issues in qualitative research design; Interview research; research in and on the Internet; media analysis: research in practice; approaches to qualitative data analysis; planning and writing a dissertation.
Global Media
Main Topics of Study: The clash of civilisations, the alternative media, national identity and the media, the digital divide,
Popular Culture
Main Topics of Study:Celebrity and popular culture, pornography, advertising, the cultural industries, media markets.
Issues and Controversies in Media and Communications
Main Topics of Study: Media ethics, media and moral panics, media power, media effects.
教学与评估 Teaching and Assessment：
Assessment is by a mixture of essays, report writing, blog entries and online group work. Students also complete a 15,000 word dissertation.