MA Society, Culture and Media University of Leeds, Faculty of Social Sciences

Taught by leading researchers in the field, this programme covers key issues and concepts such as media and social media; consumption; audiences; representation; globalisation; migration and place; tourism; inequality; creative work and material culture. Through its grounding in sociological approaches to the study of culture and media, a concern with questions of power, inequality and identity will be threaded through the course, enabling you to think critically about the relationship between gender, class, race and ethnicity, and the cultural realm.

In addition to developing specialist knowledge in the field, you will also acquire key transferable skills in research, communication, analytical skills, self-management and group working, which will open up a range of career pathways within the media and creative industries and beyond.

Highlights

• Benefit from the expertise of both the School of Sociology and Social Policy and the School of Media and Communication.
• Gain specialist knowledge in the areas of consumption, traditional media and social media, globalisation, representation, popular culture and more.
• Tailor the programme according to your interests with optional modules which cover journalism, promotional communication, videogames, digital resistance and reality TV.
• Develop transferable skills including in research, analysis, group work and communication.
• Prepare for careers in academia, communications and media policy, creative industries, media market, audience research and others. SPEAK TO A CURRENT STUDENT

Compulsory modules will provide a solid grounding in key sociological theories for the study of society, culture and media, and methodological debates and approaches.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules delivered by various Schools (Sociology and Social Policy, Media and Communication, Politics and International Studies, and Geography), enabling you to tailor the programme to pursue your specialist interests.

The final dissertation project will allow you to design, develop and implement your own critical research enquiry into an aspect of culture and media.

Course structure

Compulsory modules

• Sociology of Media and Culture
• Researching Inequality in the Media
• Approaches and Methods for Media and Culture
• Dissertation

Optional modules
(selection of typical options shown below)

• Journalism Practice and Policy
• The Cultural History of Promotional Communication
• Engaging the Modern City: The Civic Researcher
• Digital Resistance: Media Protest by Marginalised Groups
• Popular Culture: World politics, Society and Culture
• Technology, Media and Politics: Research and Real-World Cases
• Racism, Decoloniality and Migration
• Reality TV: Truth or Fiction?
• Videogames and Society

Learning and teaching

Throughout the course, you will be exposed to a variety of teaching methods including guest lectures, seminars, presentations, group work, blended learning and independent critical enquiry.

In this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment will include a series of short quizzes, a group project, an essay and dissertation.

The combined nature of the programme will equip you with key transferable skills and the specialist knowledge required to pursue a career in sociology or media and culture. The national and international growth of the media and creative industries has sparked greater demand for graduates who possess advanced skills and knowledge in the field, opening opportunities in communications and media policy, PR, social and digital media, media markets and audience research or other cultural and creative industries.

Additionally, the sociology element of the programme will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills in fields such as education, statutory and voluntary agencies, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), INGOs (international non-governmental agencies) and charities.

The programme also provides a basis for progression onto a PhD in sociology and media studies, and a strong grounding for an interdisciplinary PhD.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate.