• Inactive for Year: 2026/27

• Module Leader(s): Dr Bethany Usher
• Lecturer: Dr Chris Haywood

• Owning School: Arts & Cultures
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Aims

Big Concepts, Changing Worlds: Media, Journalism and Communication Projects enables you to generate, test and develop your own ideas through critical engagement with influential and innovative media, journalism and communication projects that have reshaped industries, societies and our understanding of who we are. Through case-led exploration across global contexts and time, you examine how creative projects were produced, the methods that underpinned them, and how they construct and contest reality within rapidly evolving media environments. Taking critical and theoretically informed and a range of research approaches and methods, you apply these insights to design original research or practice-based projects that respond to contemporary challenges. The module culminates in a series of workshops in which you develop and refine a research or practice-based project proposal, forming the foundation for your final major project. In short, this module aims to develop your ability to critically analyse influential media and communication projects, apply theoretical and methodological approaches to contemporary challenges, and design original research-led or practice-based project ideas.

Outline Of Syllabus

Topics covered by this module may include:

Influential media, journalism and communication projects across global contexts
Media projects that have reshaped industries, cultures and publics
Narratives, representation and the construction of reality
Global media and communication environments
Media, journalism, communication and cultural theory
Research-informed and practice-informed approaches
Audiences, participation and publics
Digital media, platforms and artificial intelligence
Contemporary communication challenges and debates
Project design and proposal development
Creative ideation and collaborative project development
Ethical, legal and professional considerations
Reflective practice and professional development
Preparation for research-led and practice-based final projects

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Encounters with the Leading Edge

This module includes encounters with the leading-edge of research, industry, practice and society. Learning begins each week with interactive digital learning materials ahead of lectures, workshops and guided project development activities. This blended approach supports students in critically engaging with influential and contemporary media, journalism and communication projects. Case-led lectures primarily support MLO1 and MLO2 through engagement with significant global examples, theoretical frameworks and contemporary debates. Workshops support MLO2, MLO3 and MLO4 through collaborative project development, experimentation and iterative feedback. As a recognition of digital first learning, guided learning activities support MLO1, MLO2 and MLO4 through engagement with theory, case studies, research methods and contemporary media environments. Guided independent study supports all module learning outcomes, particularly MLO3 and MLO4, through project development, proposal refinement and reflective learning.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Module Learning Outcome Mapping

Assessment 1: Group Multimedia Creative Project (25%)

Programme Learning Outcomes: Journalism: PLO1, PLO2; Global Media PLO1, PLO2.

Module Learning Outcomes: MLO1, MLO2, MLO4.

A portfolio including a link to a group multimedia creative project responding to a contemporary media, journalism or communication issue, challenge or debate. Projects may include combinations of video, audio, text, images, digital storytelling or other multimedia formats as appropriate. The portfolio should also include a 500-word critical commentary on the group’s conceptual and methodological approach evidencing engagement with relevant theory, research and project development processes, alongside a peer review document. Peer review may adjust individual marks by up to 10% of the assessment weighting.

The assessment is marked against the following task specific criteria:

1. Evidence of critical engagement with influential and contemporary media, journalism and communication issues, projects, practices or debates within relevant political, cultural, social, economic and technological contexts.

2. Demonstration of effective application of relevant media, journalism, communication and cultural theories or concepts to inform the development and analysis of the project.

3. Critical and creative use of multimedia forms, communication strategies and/or digital technologies to communicate ideas effectively to relevant audiences and contexts.

4. Coherence, structure and professionalism of the project and critical commentary, including effective integration of examples, appropriate academic and/or professional tone at postgraduate level, and awareness of ethical, legal and technological considerations.

Assessment 2: Research-led or Practice-based Project Proposal with Development Record and Critical Discussion (75%)

Programme Learning Outcomes: Journalism PLO1, PLO2; Global Media PLO1, PLO2

Module Learning Outcomes: MLO2, MLO3, MLO4

A 3,000-word individual proposal for a final research-led or practice-based project and development record evidencing planning, idea generation, formative feedback and iterative refinement. The proposal should include a clearly articulated critical context, aims and/or research questions, a relevant theoretical and conceptual framework, an indicative methodology or production approach, ethical and professional considerations, a working bibliography and a statement on the use of AI where appropriate.

Following submission, students participate in a critical discussion of their proposal and development process. This acts as a process of assurance of the assessment.

The assessment is marked against the following task specific criteria:

1. Methodological and/or production quality of the proposed project design, including how the proposal aligns with relevant theoretical, conceptual and methodological approaches explored within the module.

2. Critical engagement with relevant theoretical, research and professional contexts, drawing effectively on appropriate primary and secondary sources.

3. Effective use of theory, research and contextual analysis to inform the development of a coherent, original and achievable project proposal responding to contemporary media, journalism or communication challenges.

4. Coherence, structure and critical development of the proposal, development record and discussion, including appropriate academic and/or professional tone at postgraduate level, effective project planning and clear, accurate referencing.

5. Critical reflection on project development, decision-making and future progression, including critical analysis of the use of artificial intelligence within the project development process and awareness of associated ethical, professional and technological considerations.

Reading Lists

• MCH8117's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• MCH8117's Timetable