Media, Communication and Sociology, BSc (Hons)

Course summary

This joint degree focuses on media and communication, which are central to the way our society functions. It examines key media, communication and cultural institutions.A broad range of elective modules – linked to the research expertise of our academic staff – let you tailor the degree to your interests. Modules currently include topics spanning publishing, new media, law, celebrity, global media and sport.You will develop strong critical thinking skills and analytical ability, allowing you to engage in social policy debates. You will also develop data literacy and quantitative skills, which appeal to a broad range of employers.

• Develop highly sought-after data literacy and quantitative skills, thanks to our strong links with City’s Q-Step Centre

• Opt onto a Q-Step quantitative methods pathway: benefit from a heightened focus on data skills, a workplace Data Placement in Year 2, and an optional international work placement

• Boost your employability with an optional placement year

• Take advantage of excellent media internship opportunities thanks to our central London location.

City, University of London is ranked 1st in the UK for graduate prospects in media and communications (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022)

Modules

Throughout the three years of this BSc Media, Communication and Sociology degree, you’ll work individually and in groups to understand and analyse society and the media, developing a nuanced understanding of both.Year 1• Media History and Society • Contemporary Issues in Media and Communication • Classical Social Theory • Sociology in Action • Social (Justice) Research: Qualitative Methods • Learning from Social Data• Data and the Social World• Academic and Professional Practice Year 2 Deepen your understanding of news and new media, and society. In year 2 you take six core modules; you can choose one methods module and one other elective. In year 2 You will have the option to join the Quantitative Method pathway (leading to a BSc Media, Communication and Sociology with Quantitative Methods). This pathway includes eight core modules – these are indicated by an asterisk below.• New Media Challenges* • News and Society* • Creative Technologies Project* • Social Action Project • Understanding Social Change* • Contemporary Social Theory* • Quantitative Analysis of Social Research Data* • Qualitative Analysis of Social Research Data • Sociology of Race and Racism • Gender and Society • Quantitative Data Placement* • Visualising Society* Year 3Draw on the research expertise in the Department to study current issues at the cutting edge of current thinking. You take 30 credits worth of media and communication modules and choose up to 45 credits of elective modules. You also complete a sociology project/dissertation to showcase your skills and interests.If you follow the Criminology with Quantitative Methods pathway, in year 3 you take at least one (15 credits) QM module (from those indicated by an asterisk below); you also take at least 15 credits worth of media and communication modules (any of the below); and you can then choose up to 45 credits worth of elective modules (any of the below). You also complete the sociology project/dissertation which must use quantitative methods.• Sociology Project • Global Media and Sport • Global Media Industries• Celebrity and Society • Political Communication • Digital cultures • Applied Multivariate Analysis* • Poverty: What counts?*• Gender, Sexuality and the Media• Global Migration Processes • Broken Britain? Culture, Employment and Society • Work and Workers • Emotions, Identities and Relationships • Education, Skills and the Job Market • Crime, Culture and the City • Culture, Racisms and Resistance • Changing Ideas about Society in the 21st Century • Interrogating Consumer Culture • Criminal Justice in Crisis • Leisure, the Body and Deviance • Publishing in the Digital Age • Writing Women• Micro-Placement.

Assessment method

Assessment is primarily in the form of coursework (assessed essays, policy and research, group presentations and other assignments) and a final-year dissertation.

---

Throughout the three years of this BSc Media, Communication and Sociology degree, you’ll work individually and in groups to understand and analyse society and the media, developing a nuanced understanding of both. Year 1 • Media History and Society • Contemporary Issues in Media and Communication • Classical Social Theory • Sociology in Action • Social (Justice) Research: Qualitative Methods • Learning from Social Data • Data and the Social World • Academic and Professional Practice Year 2 Deepen your understanding of news and new media, and society. In year 2 you take six core modules; you can choose one methods module and one other elective. In year 2 You will have the option to join the Quantitative Method pathway (leading to a BSc Media, Communication and Sociology with Quantitative Methods). This pathway includes eight core modules – these are indicated by an asterisk below. • New Media Challenges* • News and Society* • Creative Technologies Project* • Social Action Project • Understanding Social Change* • Contemporary Social Theory* • Quantitative Analysis of Social Research Data* • Qualitative Analysis of Social Research Data • Sociology of Race and Racism • Gender and Society • Quantitative Data Placement* • Visualising Society* Year 3 Draw on the research expertise in the Department to study current issues at the cutting edge of current thinking. You take 30 credits worth of media and communication modules and choose up to 45 credits of elective modules. You also complete a sociology project/dissertation to showcase your skills and interests. If you follow the Criminology with Quantitative Methods pathway, in year 3 you take at least one (15 credits) QM module (from those indicated by an asterisk below); you also take at least 15 credits worth of media and communication modules (any of the below); and you can then choose up to 45 credits worth of elective modules (any of the below). You also complete the sociology project/dissertation which must use quantitative methods. • Sociology Project • Global Media and Sport • Global Media Industries • Celebrity and Society • Political Communication • Digital cultures • Applied Multivariate Analysis* • Poverty: What counts?* • Gender, Sexuality and the Media • Global Migration Processes • Broken Britain? Culture, Employment and Society • Work and Workers • Emotions, Identities and Relationships • Education, Skills and the Job Market • Crime, Culture and the City • Culture, Racisms and Resistance • Changing Ideas about Society in the 21st Century • Interrogating Consumer Culture • Criminal Justice in Crisis • Leisure, the Body and Deviance • Publishing in the Digital Age • Writing Women • Micro-Placement.