Media and Cultural Studies
Media and Cultural Studies (MaCS) at Newcastle University is a new subject area that encompasses critical media and cultural studies, journalism and public relations. It is an expanding group of forward looking academics and media professionals, with national and international reputation for excellence and innovation.
Teaching
As a relatively new group, we are making an exciting impact in the University and are developing strong and effective links with the media and culture industries in the North East. The BA (Hons) Media, Communication and Cultural Studies has constantly achieved top ten positions in its subject area in the Guardian League Table and we have developed a unique and dynamic Masters Degree in International Multi-media Journalism in collaboration with the Press Association.
Our Media, Communication and Cultural Studies programme is currently ranked the best (1st) in the UK by The Sunday Times University League Tables 2012 [external link, access only via subscription]; and 4th in the The Guardian University Guide 2012 [external link, opens in a new window].
New Developments in Teaching
We have introduced recently Digital Film Production in our curriculum and the first group of students have produced high quality work, as you can see in these two factual short films:
- Silent Slaughter [7.5 minutes, opens in a new window]
- Skate Fast, Turn Left [8 mins, opens in a new window]
Final year students on our magazine publishing modules research demographics and circulation figures, construct a buisness model and produce a full pilot publication. These two examples from our recent third year students demonstrate the quality of the end product:
- URmedia [opens in a new window, requires Adobe Flash]
- NE:on [opens in a new window, requires Adobe Flash]
The subject area of Media and Cultural Studies and Digital Media offers the following taught programmes:
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate Taught:
We constantly achieve excellent results in the NSS as a reflection of innovative pedagogical practices and high quality pastoral care. All our degrees interrogate the changing nature of professional practice in media, journalism and PR by exploring the role of the emerging digital technologies in these areas, and engaging in a critical analysis of the social, political, cultural and ethical dimensions of these industries. Our visiting professor is Dianne Nelmes, one of the most senior and respected media executives in the country .
Media and Cultural Studies is engaged at the moment in developing a series of new teaching initiatives with Heritage and Museum Studies, Digital Media and Film Studies.
Research
The central focus of the research in the Media and Cultural Studies team is on identities, media and culture, and we are engaged in a broad set of interdisciplinary research themes which include the following areas: media and cultural theory; sociology of the media; gender, the body and culture; feminist theory, media, journalism and popular culture; intimacy, sexuality, family, childhood and education; affect, emotion and psychoanalysis; globalisation, nationalism and ethnicity; hyperlocal journalism, media ethics and Public Relations. We play a leading role in interdisciplinary cross Faculty or regional research groups such as the Northern Network of Cultural Studies; the Research Group in Film and Media; the Gender Research Group.
Media and Cultural Studies were not included in the latest RAE, as the size of the subject area at the time was considered too small, but the recent move to the School of Arts and Cultures and the reconfiguration of the section, together with the current expansion in numbers, create the premise of an ambitious and successful submission to Unit of Assessment 66 Communication, Cultural and Media Studies (or equivalent in the upcoming REF). The team is extremely interested in developing interdisciplinary research across the School and the Faculty.
Postgraduate Research
The Section is developing and ambitious and fast growing research student community through expert supervision and supportive pastoral care. We have an experienced team of doctoral supervisors and an excellent track record of completions, and we are constantly looking forward to enthusiastic new research students. We would supervise PhDs in the various research areas outlined above or on the individual staff profiles.
Events
On Tuesday 16 March, students on the undergraduate and postgraduate media and cultural studies degree programmes had the opportunity to take part in a media masterclass in interviewing for television with controversial television host, Jeremy Kyle. The tables will be turned on Jeremy Kyle when he is grilled by one of television’s most respected media executives, Dianne Nelmes - the ‘Queen of daytime TV’ – and the person responsible for smash-hit shows including This Morning, Loose Women and of course The Jeremy Kyle Show. Dianne Nelmes is a visiting Professor in Media and Journalism at Newcastle University. For more details, see the Press Release. You can watch a full recording of this session here (you will need Real Player to access the recording).
Contact us:
Media and Cultural Studies
School of Arts and Cultures
Room 2.69
2nd Floor Armstrong Building
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU
Undergraduate email: d.k.laidlaw@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: 0191 222 6535
Postgraduate email: pgmacs@ncl.ac.uk
Telephone: 0191 222 5155