MCH8012 : Freelancing in Media and Communications
MCH8012 : Freelancing in Media and Communications
- Offered for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Miss Laura Richards
- Lecturer: Ms Sarah Drummond
- Owning School: Arts & Cultures
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
This module aims to prepare students for freelancing opportunities within an expanding sector, with short-term contracts prevalent across the media and communications industry. By focusing specifically on freelancing and entrepreneurship within media and communications, the module aims to develop skills and knowledge that will help prepare students for this competitive sector by identifying opportunities, enhancing their employability skills, identifying individual goals and developing personal action plans.
Outline Of Syllabus
- Outline of the freelance and short contracts sector within media and communications
- Identifying opportunities within the sector
- Identifying individual goals
- Developing a Personal Action Plan
- Developing portfolios and enhancing employability skills
- Partnership and collaborative working
Learning Outcomes
Intended Knowledge Outcomes
A student successfully completing the module will have acquired knowledge and understanding of:
K1 - Key practices and processes relating to operating independently in the media and communications sector
K2 - The value and use of professional networks
K3 - How a variety of traditional and digital media are used to profile a project
K4 - The range of freelance practice in the media and communications sector
K5 - How an idea is developed and resourced into a project
K6 - How a sustainable working practice is developed towards a fulfilling career
Intended Skill Outcomes
A student successfully completing the module will have:
S1 - Undertaken a personal skills audit
S2 - Developed key skills of planning and communication
In addition, they will have further developed skills related to operating as an independent practitioner in the cultural sector which may include:
- Basic financial planning
- Promotion and marketing
- Working in a team
- Collaborating with organisations
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Interactive non-synchronous lecture materials delivered online |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 11 | 5:00 | 55:00 | Independent preparation for assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | On-campus lectures (can be delivered synchronously online if necessary) |
| Guided Independent Study | Directed research and reading | 10 | 1:12 | 12:00 | Directed weekly to set texts and readings |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | On-campus workshops (can be delivered synchronously online if necessary) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | One hour zoom/online drop-in session for full group to support assessment submission |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 11 | 9:00 | 99:00 | Independent engagement with content and practice related to learning and assessment |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
The online non-synchronous learning materials will relate to syllabus materials for freelancing in media and communications. These will present an overview of the key practices for the sector and will be expanded upon within scheduled weekly lectures.
The workshop sessions will be held on campus (but can be delivered online synchronous if necessary), allowing students to discuss their practice in relation to syllabus materials and prepare for assessment.
Weekly lectures are held on campus (but can be delivered online synchronous if necessary). Students will engage with the lecturer to consolidate key learnings, participate in the key debates, as a class, and student contributions will be encouraged.
It is expected that all students will contribute to on-campus and online discussions.
Reading Lists
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | A | 100 | Personal Action Plan and evaluation (approx. 3500 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
In this module students are looking at their individual skills, knowledge and expertise within the context of freelancing within the media and communications sector.
The Action Plan and individual evaluation aims to outline students' vision of where they want to be as a freelancer and how they plan to make that happen, with a reflection which demonstrates their understanding of key knowledge outcomes.
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MCH8012's Timetable
Past Exam Papers
- Exam Papers Online : www.ncl.ac.uk/exam.papers/
- MCH8012's past Exam Papers
General Notes
N/A
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Disclaimer
The information contained within the Module Catalogue relates to the 2024 academic year.
In accordance with University Terms and Conditions, the University makes all reasonable efforts to deliver the modules as described.
Modules may be amended on an annual basis to take account of changing staff expertise, developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Module information for the 2025/26 entry will be published here in early-April 2025. Queries about information in the Module Catalogue should in the first instance be addressed to your School Office.