Social Media and Digital Communication MA

Program Overview

Earn a Social Media and Digital Communication MA from the University of Westminster, a top-ranked institution in the field. This program explores the multifaceted impact of social media and digital communication on society, politics, and culture through research, critical analysis, and practical application. Graduates gain high-level skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, preparing them for careers in creative industries, non-profits, research, and more.

Program Outline

Social Media and Digital Communication MA - University of Westminster

Degree Overview:

The Social Media and Digital Communication MA provides an in-depth understanding of contemporary digital communication and its impact on politics, culture, and society. It examines social media as industries and as central sites for understanding the cultural politics of everyday life. The program explores the meanings of sharing and privacy, remix cultures, new forms of journalism, communication, and citizenship. It connects social media to other digital phenomena such as Artificial Intelligence.

Objectives:

• Develop a critical understanding of social media and its impact on various aspects of society.
• Explore the cultural politics of everyday life through the lens of social media.
• Analyze the meanings of sharing, privacy, remix cultures, and new forms of communication.
• Develop high-level skills in research, critical thinking, and communication.

Outline:

Course Structure:

• Semester One:
• Two core modules:
• Social Media
• Theories of Communication
• One optional module from the list:
• Global Media
• Political Economy of Communication
• Data in Communication and Society
• Begin work on the major social media research project.
• Semester Two:
• Three optional modules from the list:
• Digital Media and Critical Theory
• Researching Media and Communication
• Data and Digital Research Methods
• Media, Activism and Politics
• Sociology of News
• Media Audiences in the Digital Age
• Podcast Production
• Artificial Intelligence and Society
• Continue working on the research project with an individual supervisor.
• Complete the project for submission in August.

Modules:

• Core Modules:
• Social Media:
This module provides a theoretical understanding of the development, significance, and contemporary uses of social media. It fosters critical analysis and reflective practice in the networked digital media environment. Students will engage with key ideas of creativity, sharing, and visibility in social media and participate in creative and reflective practice using leading social media tools and platforms.
• Theories of Communication: This module covers a range of theoretical approaches to studying media and communication in a loosely historical order.
Students will acquire an understanding of the historical contexts in which these ways of thinking emerged, be introduced to leading thinkers driving these approaches, and key concepts associated with them. The focus will be on critically assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and students will be encouraged to consider the applicability of each to the current communications landscape.
• Social Media Research Project: This module enables learners to develop and carry out an independent research project.
It provides them with a theoretical and practical understanding of key methodological approaches to social and digital media and communication research. Each learner will identify their own area of research interest, and will design, develop, and investigate an original research question. Candidates will present their findings as a written dissertation of 12,000 words. Learners who have appropriate skills and experience can propose the option to present their research findings in alternative formats to the written dissertation. Learners will develop their project proposals in the first half of the academic year; from Semester 2, each learner will work with an individual supervisor to complete their project for submission in August.
• Optional Modules:
• Global Media:
This module provides an overview of contemporary developments in the global media and communication industries and their impact on cultures worldwide. It will explore the changing political economy of the media related to questions of collective culture and identity in the new global context.
• Political Economy of Communication: This module provides a broad introduction to the political economy approach to the media, communication, culture, and digital media.
The main focus of this module is on digital data practices and how they shape and are shaped by socio-cultural, political, and subjective factors.
• Digital Media and Critical Theory: This module introduces students to the main critical theories of digital media, and provides specific focus on the implications of race and culture on the development, infrastructures, and ownership of digital media.
• Researching Media and Communication: This module is designed to introduce learners to some important methods in social and media research.
• Media, Activism and Politics: This module critically investigates the relationship between media, activism, and politics.
• Sociology of News: A critical study of the news media in the context of current society.
• Media Audiences in the Digital Age: This module reviews a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, focusing on and critiquing key debates on media audiences.
• Podcast Production: In this module, students learn about the different facets of podcast making, exploring genres and the production techniques required for specific formats.
• Artificial Intelligence and Society: This module explains what AI is and offers a systematic overview of what is behind AI.
It also looks into the controversies and challenges related to AI.

Assessment:

• Practical: Presentations, podcasts, blogs.
• Coursework: Essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: Lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and practical application.
• Faculty:
• Professor Graham Meikle - Professor
• Professor Miriyam Aouragh - Reader
• Nathasha Fernando - Lecturer
• Anastasia Kavada - Reader
• Professor Tarik Sabry - Professor
• Professor Justin Schlosberg - Professor
• Dr Pieter Verdegem - Reader
• Dr Xin Xin - Reader
• Unique Approaches:
• Flipped classroom approach in the "Social Media" module.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Creative industries
• Non-profit sectors (NGOs, advocacy groups)
• Research
• Consultancy
• Administration and management
• Opportunities:
• The program provides an excellent preparation for those planning to continue their studies to PhD level.
• The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
• The Westminster Employability Award gives students the chance to formally document and demonstrate their personal and professional development activities and achievements.

Other:

• The program is organized within the Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI), a world-leading research center that studies the role of media and communication in society.
• The University of Westminster is ranked top 15 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
• The program is taught at the Harrow Campus, which is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city center by train.
• The University offers a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.
• The University offers a number of different volunteering opportunities for students to learn new skills, create connections, and make a difference in the community.
• The University provides access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.

Tuition Fees

UK

• Tuition fee: £9,500 (Price per academic year)
• Tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
This opportunity is available if you have a personal tuition fee liability of £2,000 or more and if you are self-funded or funded by the Student Loans Company.