BA (Hons) Sociology and Media Studies
- UCAS code: LP33
- Mode of study: Full time
- Duration: 3 years
- Entry requirements 2013: 240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 8299
Email: humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Course overview
We live in a media saturated world and the media industries represent the fastest-growing sector of the British economy. Much of our social knowledge is gained through the television, radio, cinema, video, books, newspapers and websites. Doing this degree will enable you to explore the important and complex relationship between the media and society.
The course will provide you with a strong foundation in the theory and methodology of the disciplines and their application to the analysis of social phenomena. It facilitates the development of both independent study and collaborative work, plus offers you the chance to make real choices in the balance of your studies and selection of a dissertation topic that reflects your individual academic interests.
From sociology, you will begin with major theoretical perspectives in sociology and specific topics such as social inequalities and social change. Options vary from year to year but include areas such as animals in society, understanding social problems, food and culture, war and violence, sociology of culture, consumer society and work and employment.
The Media Studies aspect of your programme of study primarily involves the theoretical and critical study of different media - including film, the broadcasting media, print media, and new media technologies. You will also have an opportunity to develop some production and new media technology skills and study units such as popular music or the representation of science in the media. Your final year dissertation will provide the opportunity to examine in detail the part of your course that has interested you most.
We expect to recruit a variety of students who may offer different sorts of qualifications or demonstrate evidence of competence or ability to succeed on the programme.
Placements
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which lets you earn credits toward your degree for work / research placements, volunteer roles or internships undertaken alongside your studies. The option gives you the opportunity to enhance your employability skills, to reflect on the ways in which you've done so, and to learn to express this to potential employers.
Course content
Years 1 and 2
In the sociology part of your degree course you will study topics such as sociological analysis, social research, social theory, culture and identity and risk. Year one will allow you to study units such as theories of social life and society as well as those on research design and analysis, and in year 2 you will also be able to choose from a range of options such as deviance and social problems, urban sociology, emotions and social life.
Much of the knowledge and skills gained in studying these topics are transferable to post-University careers.
In the media studies part of your degree programme you will study core aspects such as popular culture, theories of the media, new technologies of culture and media and identity plus option subjects such as films studies, magazine production and politics of the media. You will also study subjects that Portsmouth considers essential to your future learning and career. These include study skills, employability skills, research methods and careers. There is also the opportunity to study a foreign language.
Study abroad
It is possible to take part in an exchange programme during stage 2 at Moorhead State University in the USA.
Final Year
In the final year of your course you can choose to study core issues such as transformations of modern society, food and culture, animals and society, war and violence , consumer society and young people state and society as well as media policy and institutions. You will also undertake a project/dissertation.
Teaching and assessment
Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Students will be expected to participate fully in group discussions and group projects. They will also have hands on experience in Computing.
The learning experience for undergraduates is different from pre-degree study and we address this issue by teaching the skills necessary for degree level work through study skills tutorials in Year One. Tutorial support continues in Years Two and Three focussing on careers and employability and the production of a dissertation.
A wide range of assessment methods are employed, including seminar participation, essays, in-class tests, projects (both individual and group), academic poster presentations, examinations and a 10,000 word dissertation. The final degree award is determined by the overall performance of students in units in both Stages 2 and 3.
Career prospects
Throughout the Sociology and Media Studies degree the student develops key transferable skills that can enhance employability. Graduates from this degree programme pursue careers in a wide variety of professions including: teaching and lecturing; advertising and marketing; the media; banking and financial services; local government; business administration; personnel management, criminal justice (remove this), education, social services, human resources and social research, public relations, television production, television and film research and journalism.
The course provides a sound academic basis for careers in commerce, industry and the service sector. Honours degrees also enable students to undertake postgraduate research or to complete specialised professional training or short skills-based courses.
Facilities and features
Over the last four years, the University has invested substantially in its teaching facilities. Our teaching rooms at Milldam are equipped with multimedia and audio-visual facilities. In addition, we provide quiet rooms, a dedicated IT teaching room and IT facilities.
The School has a large archive of documentary films in its multimedia resources area and the University library is currently undergoing significant investment and expansion to further enhance the range of resources available to you there.