Creative Media

Creative Industries. Media Literacy. Cultural Politics. Knowledge Economy. 

These phrases capture the transformations of our working and learning lives.

Every profession requires some understanding of the media. Yet increasingly, understanding is not enough. We need active citizens who will make the media more democratic, intelligent and passionately involved in the social problems, political fears and economic debates of our time.

Teaching, film making, photography, freelance writing, web design, music, fashion, tourism, content regulation and information management are the emerging spheres of the new economy. The media are the oil on which these industries run but fresh ideas, methods and concepts are quickly superceded by ‘the next big thing.’ As economies globalize and migrants move between the borders of nations, there is increasing competition for the best workers and the best ideas. Social responsibility and social inclusion have never been more important to ensure the health of our democracy. 

Our aim is to enable students to move from where they are to where they want to be. We aim:

• To develop students’ capacity to understand, interpret and participate in debates about cultural policy, media literacy and the creative industries
• To develop students’ understanding of cultural difference in and through the media
• To develop an integrated palette of media skills that move beyond the simple determinations of old media and new media, analogue and digital media, theory and practice.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Master of Arts (Creative Media). Please contact Professor Tara Brabazon with any queries. It will be our pleasure to welcome you to the University of Brighton for a visit and conversation about your future opportunities and decisions.

Creative Media is an innovative masters programme offered at the University of Brighton.

Every profession requires some understanding of the media. Yet increasingly, understanding is not enough. We need active citizens to make the media more democratic, intelligent, and passionately committed to addressing the social problems, political fears, and ethical questions of our time.

It is a maxim of our masters that as the media changes, so must the way in which we teach, learn, practice and write about it. Ignoring MP3s, iPods, HD television and mobile media is not an option. Ensuring that we handle these transformations with rigour, care and respect for the past should be our goal.

In response to the changes in our lives, environment, workplaces and education, an innovative suite of ideas has developed. We explore climate change, community media, participatory media, media literacy, sonic media, media ethics, and the role of ICTs in our daily lives.

We expect, and have received, applications from journalists, film makers, teachers, policy makers, and writers.

Course structure

Modules include the best elements from media education, creative industries, media studies and literacy theory. Choice, flexibility, and innovation are the key ideas that propel our work. The course is designed to fit in with the career goals, family and working patterns and personal interests of our students.

Of particular note is the relationship between theory and practice. Assignments are organised so that students can create innovative cycles of production and reflection through writing, photography, curriculum design, film making, and/or community and participatory media. Students are able to complete more conventional written work, but there are also many opportunities for dynamic relationships between sound and words, vision and text to develop.

There are also opportunities to complete shorter programmes in creative media at postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma level. Importantly - and acknowledging the needs and demands on our students - it is also possible to complete the full masters, certificate or diploma through distance learning.

There are two core modules for the masters: students tailor the rest of their course by choosing from a range of options. Postgraduate diploma students complete one core module and can select five other areas of interest. Postgraduate certificate students can choose any three modules to complete the qualification.

Syllabus

Core modules
Practising Media Research* (MA and PGDip)
Creative Media Dissertation/Creative Media Project* (MA)

Options
MA and PGDip 5 from/PGCert 3 from:
Mediating the Environment
Participatory Media Production for Social Change
City Imaging*
Developing Community Media
Media Literacies*
Qu(e)erying ICTs in Everyday Life
Teaching, Learning and Writing Through Popular Culture*
Sonic Media*
Media Ethics*

* Modules available by distance learning

Career and progression opportunities

Graduates of the MA will be able to use diverse writing methods with consciousness and appropriateness to context; utilise a range of research methods in their creative media practice; work with the limitations and strengths of diverse disciplinary paradigms; interpret how cultural differences operate in mediated environments; and offer critical interventions in policy, regulation and/or literacy debates.

They will be well equipped to participate in debates about media literacy, the creative industries and cultural policy, and will have a well-developed palette of skills that move beyond the simple definitions of old/new media, analogue and digital media, theory, and practice.

Duration

Full-time: 1 year (max 6 years)

Part-time: 3 years (max 6 years)

Location Moulsecoomb

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary

Degree and/or experience:
While a reasonable bachelor degree is the conventional path into the qualification, there is recognition of professional practice and experience. In your application, please tell us about you, your expertise, and what has drawn you to the qualification.

 

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, whether you study full- or part-time and whether or not you already have a higher education qualification. The fees listed here are for full-time courses for the 2010/11 academic year. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Visit www.brighton.ac.uk/money for more information, including advice on international and island fee paying status, and the government's Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) policy and how this could affect the fees you pay and your eligibility for student funding.

Creative Media is an innovative masters programme offered at the University of Brighton.

Every profession requires some understanding of the media. Yet increasingly, understanding is not enough. We need active citizens to make the media more democratic, intelligent, and passionately committed to addressing the social problems, political fears, and ethical questions of our time.

It is a maxim of our masters that as the media changes, so must the way in which we teach, learn, practice and write about it. Ignoring MP3s, iPods, HD television and mobile media is not an option. Ensuring that we handle these transformations with rigour, care and respect for the past should be our goal.

In response to the changes in our lives, environment, workplaces and education, an innovative suite of ideas has developed. We explore climate change, community media, participatory media, media literacy, sonic media, media ethics, and the role of ICTs in our daily lives.

We expect, and have received, applications from journalists, film makers, teachers, policy makers, and writers.

Course structure

Modules include the best elements from media education, creative industries, media studies and literacy theory. Choice, flexibility, and innovation are the key ideas that propel our work. The course is designed to fit in with the career goals, family and working patterns and personal interests of our students.

Of particular note is the relationship between theory and practice. Assignments are organised so that students can create innovative cycles of production and reflection through writing, photography, curriculum design, film making, and/or community and participatory media. Students are able to complete more conventional written work, but there are also many opportunities for dynamic relationships between sound and words, vision and text to develop.

There are also opportunities to complete shorter programmes in creative media at postgraduate certificate and postgraduate diploma level. Importantly - and acknowledging the needs and demands on our students - it is also possible to complete the full masters, certificate or diploma through distance learning.

There are two core modules for the masters: students tailor the rest of their course by choosing from a range of options. Postgraduate diploma students complete one core module and can select five other areas of interest. Postgraduate certificate students can choose any three modules to complete the qualification.

Syllabus

Core modules
Practising Media Research* (MA and PGDip)
Creative Media Dissertation/Creative Media Project* (MA)

Options
MA and PGDip 5 from/PGCert 3 from:
Mediating the Environment
Participatory Media Production for Social Change
City Imaging*
Developing Community Media
Media Literacies*
Qu(e)erying ICTs in Everyday Life
Teaching, Learning and Writing Through Popular Culture*
Sonic Media*
Media Ethics*

* Modules available by distance learning

Career and progression opportunities

Graduates of the MA will be able to use diverse writing methods with consciousness and appropriateness to context; utilise a range of research methods in their creative media practice; work with the limitations and strengths of diverse disciplinary paradigms; interpret how cultural differences operate in mediated environments; and offer critical interventions in policy, regulation and/or literacy debates.

They will be well equipped to participate in debates about media literacy, the creative industries and cultural policy, and will have a well-developed palette of skills that move beyond the simple definitions of old/new media, analogue and digital media, theory, and practice.

Duration

Full-time: 1 year (max 6 years)

Part-time: 3 years (max 6 years)

Location Moulsecoomb

Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary

Degree and/or experience:
While a reasonable bachelor degree is the conventional path into the qualification, there is recognition of professional practice and experience. In your application, please tell us about you, your expertise, and what has drawn you to the qualification.

 

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, whether you study full- or part-time and whether or not you already have a higher education qualification. The fees listed here are for full-time courses for the 2010/11 academic year. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Visit www.brighton.ac.uk/money for more information, including advice on international and island fee paying status, and the government's Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) policy and how this could affect the fees you pay and your eligibility for student funding.