MA in Applied Media Studies
Part time - DT551
Programme co-ordinator
Dr Edward Brennan
School of Media
College of Arts and Tourism
DIT Aungier Street Dublin 2
T: 01 402 3098
F: 01 402 3178
E: edward.brennan@dit.ie
Duration
Part Time - 2 Years
Closing date
This programme not open for applications.
Start date
Discontinued.
Introduction
Please note due to the great demand for our programmes early applications are assessed when received and dealt with promptly. Therefore it is advisable to make early applications for an early response. If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.
The MA in Applied Media Studies is a two-year, part-time Master’s programme, practically focused on enabling learners to describe, understand and use media effectively. The programme equips individuals to make media interventions in civil society through media literacy education, advocacy and research.
Course Content
The MA Applied Media Studies concentrates on the application of academic ideas to the everyday communications challenges encountered in NGO, voluntary and public organisations. Academic theory and commentary is often abstract, obscure in its language, and removed from daily concerns. This programme employs academic concepts as practical ‘thinking tools’ which can be used by students to better understand, describe and intervene in media processes. Rather than offering a generic and traditionally academic approach to media, the MA Applied Media Studies focuses on the development of skills that are necessary for meaningful and consequential media interventions in civil society.
To do this, the programme has been designed along three thematic lines. These are (1) Media Literacy and Advocacy, (2) Media Texts and Narrative, and (3) Understanding Cultural Production and Consumption. The first theme, Media Literacy and Advocacy, provides the programme with a pragmatic and career-oriented focus. This strand combines modules in media theory, community based learning, community based research and media advocacy. While being informed by academic conceptual and methodological rigour this stream is firmly grounded in practical communications.
'Media Texts and Narrative’ complements this initial strand by providing detailed explorations of narrative forms, modes of representation as well as an in-depth examination of dominant and subaltern forms in documentary and entertainment. This stream explores how interventions in civil society may be made not only through informational media, like news and current affairs, but also through narrative forms like drama and documentary.
Finally, ‘Understanding Cultural Production and Consumption’ locates media activity within a broader political and economic context. It goes beyond the traditional political economy approach by entering into media organisations to explore their internal cultures and processes. A key problem for many advocacy groups is a poor understanding of how producers and journalists go about their daily work. This stream will help learners to understand how production cycles, funding constraints and organisational cultures shape media output. As well as addressing the context and internal operations of the ‘culture industries’ this stream will also critically examine media output. Thus this stream will stress the linkage between political and economic conditions and the form and content of media output.
Module Chart
| MA in Applied Media Studies: Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Strand | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Media Literacy & Advocacy | Approaches to Media | Community Based learning in Media Literacy |
| Media Texts and Narrative | Media Narratives | Culture, Identity and Representation |
| Understanding Cultural Production and Consumption | Political Economy of Cultural Industries | Researching Media |
| MA in Applied Media Studies: Year 2 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Strand | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
| Media Literacy & Advocacy | Community Based Research | Organisation, Ethics and Public Sphere |
| Media Texts and Narrative | Dominant Cinema | Cinema and Difference |
| Understanding Cultural Production and Consumption | Critical Approaches to Popular Culture | Professional Media Cultures |
Assessment
Coming soon
Location
School of Media, Faculty of Applied Arts, DIT Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Who Should Apply?
CONVERSION PROGRAMME
The programme is particularly suited to:
- Professionals involved in community organisations and community-based learning
- Professionals in government departments, semi-state bodies and NGOs who wish to develop media advocacy skills
- Teachers interested in developing their knowledge of media studies and pedagogy
- Media professionals who wish to develop a critical overview of media industries
- Recent graduates interested in pursuing further postgraduate research on media
Timetable / Hours
The programme is scheduled over two evenings per week and involves a total of 6 hours lectures per week.
Entry Requirements
Entry is open to holders of an honours degree (2.2 grade or higher) or equivalent in diverse disciplines.
Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate programmes satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the programme of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview for specific programmes.
Award
On successful completion of the programme, students are awarded the degree of Master of Arts in Applied Media Studies.
Career Opportunities
The programme is primarily designed to provide continuing professional development and is not intended as a preparation for a career in media.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a place on this course?
Suitably qualified applicants are interviewed in either June or early September. Applicants should demonstrate an interest and a commitment to the study of media at Master's level. Relevant studies at undergraduate level would be a useful indication of such an interest and might include essays, dissertations or courses taken in media areas. Applicants should also consider how this programme might benefit their professional development.
EU Fees for 2011/2012*
*The fees outlined for each course are provisional and are subject to change
For part-time postgraduate fees for 2011/12 click here
For information on funding please see the following link: Fees and Funding
