Year 1 introduces you to key practices, theories, concepts and histories associated with producing and analysing media texts. Year 2 develops your production, analytical and conceptual skills within more specialised modules. Year 3 is about consolidating knowledge and skills, and working more independently.
Please note that option module titles may be subject to change.
Course structure
Foundation year core modules
Case Studies
This module provides tools in your reading of cultural texts. Focusing on computer games, animation and film, you gain an introductory level of understanding in the context of your chosen fields of study.
As well as looking at the historical and contextual overview of the history of animation, film and computer games, you also look at how we interpret these types of media historically and materially. You choose a text from within your area of interest and undertake an analytical review in the form of a case study.
Creative Media Production
You explore the basic technical components of the process of making video or audiovisual materials for outputs such as online publishing, documentary or drama. You are introduced to media languages and how to communicate clearly to target audiences.
The module is project based and you carry out writing, composition and editing of your own short video or online publication. You learn basic skills in risk assessment for technical equipment, filming, editing and using online resources.
Your assessment is the creation of a video in response to a brief and the submission of a written review.
Final Project
This module aims to guide you through the production of a small-scale individual project defined in part by you, with guidance from the tutor. The final project aims to develop an individual working approach and good project management. You will develop original ideas and concepts for an appropriate project in your chosen field of study. These may take the form of a short story, artefact, report, campaign, comic, concept art or other appropriate form related to the arts and media industries.
Storytelling
Here, you apply acquired knowledge and skills to a selected project according to an area of your individual interest or specialism. This module provides an overview of professional graphic practice and enables you to reflect on your own learning and personal career aspirations. You review work from modules through your portfolio presentation and set goals for the next stage.
Study Skills
You explore learning skills for undergraduate study at University, providing you with a range of learning material and practical sessions. You develop your professional skills including teamwork, researching a topic, report writing and delivering presentations, as well as time management and learning practice.
You learn by a combination of lectures, e-learning material and support.
You are introduced to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) at Teesside University, exploring e-learning material and reading lists, and student support and learning resources.
Your assessment is a portfolio based on set tasks, including research into set problems.
Understanding Media
You explore a range of contemporary media theories and ideas in their broader historical, social, cultural, technological and economic context. You learn how these contexts can help us understand the power and influence of the media and how to begin to read the media through identifying codes and conventions.
Your assessment is a short essay that researches one area of media production.
Year 1 core modules
Bootcamp Post Production
You develop general digital production skills with an additional focus on post-production. The module enhances effective practical, technical and aesthetical approaches required to create a variety of digital media artefacts across a variety of digital delivery platforms with more relevance to the subject specific disciplines. You learn a variety of advanced sector specific and industry standard digital delivery methods and production techniques surrounding the acquisition, manipulation and operation of media production hardware and software applications. You also have access to freelance resources during the module. You are assessed on two pass/fail components. The first assessment involves a series of practical exams that determine your proficiency across a range of digital media production disciplines. The second is a digital portfolio of the culmination of work developed during the module.
Bootcamp Production
You are introduced to effective practical, technical and aesthetical approaches required to create a variety of digital media artefacts across a variety of digital delivery platforms. You learn a variety of sector specific and industry standard digital delivery methods and production techniques surrounding the acquisition, manipulation and operation of media production hardware and software applications. In addition to the supervised contact time, you also have access to freelance resources. You are assessed on two pass/fail components. Your first assessment is a series of practical exams that determine your proficiency across a range of digital media production disciplines. Your second assessment is a digital portfolio of work developed during the module.
Branding and Identity
This module looks at the ideas, concepts, and practicalities of developing a professional online presence. It takes a critical look at social media and considers how best to make use of existing online communities and tools. You design and create something that represents you in an online presence, using a range of available technologies and third-party applications (web authoring, blogging systems, social media, file sharing and networking systems), to act as a PR tool in promoting your career or specific media-related activities to a specified audience.
Convergent Cultures
We are all fans of something, and with the development of multimedia platforms for media products such as Game of Thrones and The Avengers, audiences don’t just watch a film anymore, they get involved in all areas of that world. This module explores areas of audience interaction, extreme fandom, and the results of immersing ourselves in the various media multi-verses.
Introduction to Media Theory
Media theory provides the foundations of understanding on how any form of moving image media communicates meaning. You explore what media theory is and further your understanding of a moving image text using canonical analytical codes. You are introduced to critical theory and the technical processes of writing analytical work such as essays. Your assessment is producing an essay, critically analysing a chosen moving image text through the application of media theory.
Storytelling: From Page to Screen
You write short narrative pieces for the radio and screen. You examine the way that stories have been recycled and reinvented over time, and develop an understanding of the common plot archetypes through exploration of various examples of screenplay structure, as well as gaining an understanding of the three key elements of theme, character and plot, and how to effectively combine these to construct unique and compelling scripts.
Year 2 core modules
Case Studies in Censorship
From Psycho to Fortnite, from the Blair Witch to the Beatles, there have been notorious cases where the media has been censored, shut down, and classified and categorised as dangerous. This modules explores a range of examples and asks the reasons why we need protection from what can be seen as simple entertainment.
Film Genre
You develop an understanding of how genre within the moving image media is formulated and constructed. You explore what film genre is and how you can further your understanding of a moving image text using genre conventions. You deepen your application of critical theory and further your ability to write analytical work. Your assessment is an essay critically analysing a chosen moving image text through the application of genre theory.
Media Project
You work on industry-based projects that form part of your developing professional portfolio of work. You respond to time-based and/or live briefs in your allocated role within a professional network or team. You experience working within a professional network, reflecting your specialist area of media industry practice. For assessment, you submit a final product and a supporting research portfolio.
Popular Culture in Context
Every film, TV show or story we see or read has been influenced by its context, when and how it was made, and has a range of different meanings that make it what it is. The novel Frankenstein is not just a horror tale, but also one of the earliest science fiction stories. It is also a exploration of what makes us human, and the movies it has spawned have created a new genre. This module puts a range of popular media texts under spotlight.
and one optional module
Advertising for the Creative Industries
We are bombarded with advertising material all day, usually not even realising it – this paragraph is advertising this module for example. In this on-demand, digital world, how we understand and are made aware of advertising has never been more important. You create an ad campaign, and also analyse a range of meanings (sometimes hidden) across a range of media platforms.
Documentary Production
Following your earlier learning within the Bootcamp module, this module builds on the foundations of group working, technical skills and the creative development of documentary content. You are encouraged to experiment, push yourself creatively and not be afraid to pursue ambition, excellence and innovation.
You focus on the production process rather than just the final product – this ensures that you are appropriately rewarded even if an ambitious project ultimately 'crashes and burns'.
This module culminates in you working as part of a production team to create a five to ten-minute documentary to a set brief. You submit this documentary for assessment.
Live News Production
You experience a simulated live news environment to gain discipline and working practices associated with the industry. A key focus is on working to tight deadlines, using a model of repetition and reflection. Newsroom sessions are student led and you can develop independent learning and leadership skills. Reflection is used in debrief sessions so you can analyse and assess your own performance and professional practice. You build on skills and knowledge from your degree and produce a range of multimedia content for a specific audience.
Radio and Podcast
You research, pitch, write and produce reports for broadcast radio and a podcast using the TUXtra media platform. You learn more advanced presentation skills and receive practical development work to attune your voice so its suitable for radio and podcasting. You learn how to operate radio equipment and familiarise yourself with industry standard technology such as web newsroom software and digital online production delivery techniques. The stories you investigate involves analysing news and current affairs programmes, making editorial decisions and the practical, ethical and legal implications of broadcasting with regards to privacy, consent and copyright law.
Optional work placement year
Work placement
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Final-year core modules
Client based Production Project
Working within a professional context, you respond to a live brief with an external client.
Current Issues in Media Production
You develop your individual research interests in an extended essay to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of a specific, relevant and contemporary issue that you choose. Given the contemporary or future nature of your enquiry, you are encouraged to do primary research with relevant industry professionals and/or commentators as well as draw on a wide range of sources in your research.
Exit Strategy
You devise an exit strategy from education to your first career destination. You develop a detailed strategy with clear and achievable milestones, targets and schedules, which will begin implementation within the module.
You also explore business planning, marketing and markets, brand and brand management, new and emerging forms of funding and distributing content. You explore both career development and project development so it's applicable if you are looking for employment or looking to build your own business or proposition.
Your assessment is 100% ICA.
Media Production Project
You carry out a self-managed exercise of professional practice and critical evaluation. You work on your own or collaboratively to facilitate a major creative project, film, digital campaign or showreel showcasing production skills, demonstrating production planning, audio, video, web design, and associated technologies, while showing consideration for associated legal, social, ethical and professional issues. You explore and experiment with creative digital film TV or broad-cast production. The emphasis is on content and its creative treatment, originality and narrative structure as well as technical execution. You explore your chosen subject area in-depth, and in a critical presentation. You demonstrate the ability to analyse and synthesise what you have studied on the programme and its application in production of a substantive project, whilst also demonstrating professional, critical and evaluative skills, and awareness of entrepreneurial potential.
Media Research
You complete the earlier stages of a negotiated, self managed research project that investigates a substantial area of media and communications. You gain a critical introduction to the foundational principles of researching media, outlining the key philosophical paradigms and methodological approaches needed to undertake a larger media research project. You acquire the critical skills necessary for the further interrogation and evaluation of research methods. You design and propose original, bespoke research in your own writing and practice. You gain a substantial yet varied knowledge of the different approaches to media research, providing you with the theoretical and conceptual foundations necessary for your final year project. You develop autonomy in decision-making, including the initial negotiation of the project topic, allowing you to advance on your research, analysis, evaluation, critical reflection, and communication skills through a field of study that is relevant to your own interests.
