Media and Cultural Studies
Postgraduate Taught
We have a teaching partnership with the Press Association, UK’s national press agency, and a significant part of the teaching on our degrees is delivered by a media professionals with direct links to the industry. One of our programmes is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council. Our degrees interrogate the changing nature of professional practice in the 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.
Digital Film Production at Newcastle University
We have introduced a new and exciting element on the MA programmes – Digital Film Production. We have two taught modules open to all our students and then a final project module which replaces the dissertation for those students who have completed the two film modules.
These are all practice oriented modules allowing students to create stories and scripts in the converged digital media universe. The modules blend traditional screenwriting skills with new techniques for interactive narratives, gaming, mobile and social media storytelling. From concept through to production and distribution, students will be taught how to conceive and script their own projects whether it is intended for cross platform and interactive delivery or for traditional film and television output.
Students will be encouraged to think creatively and learn how to convey information through visual media. They will acquire an understanding of traditional film and television methods and how these can be applied to their particular subject matter. They will also be introduced to new narrative formats for mobile, internet and interactive. Students will learn how to write, produce, shoot, edit and distribute films using mobile phones, HD cameras and the latest editing and distribution software. Students can choose to work either individually or in groups on their own film oriented projects to show the skills and techniques they have acquired. Assessment is based on the project they deliver at the end of the modules and a written report of the project and its aims. Originality, creativity and technical prowess is encouraged and rewarded. To help deliver professional standard work, students have access to green screen, motion capture and camera control systems, the latest HD & DSLR cameras, as well as fully equipped edit suites and music studios.
The modules also feature masterclass sessions from invited film, TV and digital media professionals. The module is authored and run by visiting digital film professor, Geoff Lowe, a Fellow of the National Film and Television School with 30 years experience in film, television and digital media.
Postgraduate Research
“The professors, doctors and lecturers have an eagerness to advise students and to listen to their opinions and questions.”Sanae MA Media and Public Relations
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; Critical Discourse Studies; extremist political discourse; rhetoric and argumentation; visual rhetoric; affect, emotion and psychoanalysis;critical race studies and Black Atlantic studies; globalisation, nationalism and ethnicity; hyperlocal journalism, media ethics and Public Relations.
We are part of research groups such as the Northern Network of Cultural Studies; the Research Group in Film and Media; the Gender Studies Research Group.
We would supervise PhDs in the various research areas outlined above or on the individual staff profiles.At the moment, we do not offer any scholarships for PhD students. Please check the University's main postgraduate webpages for funding opportunities.
Our current PhD students are exploring a wide range of media, cultural, and identity related fields within their thesis; each expanding upon the above work engaged with by our team.