SSUB04
LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
Regulations for the Honours Degree Programme in
COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES BSc
Academic Year 2011-12
These Programme Regulations should be read in conjunction with Regulation XX and the
relevant Module Specifications. Notice of change will be given by the Department responsible
for the programme.
1.
Structure
(1)
The programme is the responsibility of the Department of Social Sciences.
(2)
The programme leads to the Degree of BSc.
(3)
The duration of the programme is six semesters.
(4)
Candidates may apply to the Head of Department for permission to undertake an
approved course of study at either a European University which is a member of the
EU approved Media Studies Erasmus Exchange programme or any other University
with which the University has exchange study arrangements. Such a course of study
must be undertaken in place of one Semester at Part B.
(5)
Candidates following the four-year thick sandwich programme are required to spend
the third academic year (Part I) either undertaking an approved Assistantship at a
school or other approved placement in a French, German or Spanish speaking
country, leading to the Diploma in International Studies in accordance with Senate
Regulation X1.
(6)
Candidates in Parts A and B may take modules with a modular weight of 50 in one
Semester and 70 in the other. The modular weight of year-long modules may be split
unevenly across the Semesters, provided that a minimum weight of 10 per module is
counted in each Semester’s total modular weight.
2.
Content
2.1
Part A - Introductory Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 100)
Code
Title
SSA001
SSA101
SSA301
Introduction to Sociology A
Introduction to Social Psychology A
Introduction to Communication and Media
Studies A
Researching Communications 1A
Study Skills
Introduction to Sociology B
Introduction to Social Psychology B
Introduction to Communication and Media
Studies B
Researching Communications 1B
Media Landscapes
SSA303
SSA305
SSA002
SSA102
SSA302
SSA304
SSA306
1
Modular
Weight
10
10
10
Semester
10
10
10
10
10
1
1
2
2
2
10
10
2
2
1
1
1
OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30)
Code
Title
EAA001
EAA102
EUA604
SSA201
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Language
British Politics
Introduction to Criminology and Social
Policy A
Geography of Global and Economic Change
GYA004
EUA608
SSA202
SSA207
GYA104
British Government
Introduction to Criminology and Social
Policy B
Deviance and Social Control
Geographies of Identity
Modular
Weight
20
10
10
10
Semester
10
1
10
10
2
2
10
10
2
2
2
1
1
1
Or other modules in the University’s Module Catalogue approved by the Department for
inclusion in the programme, including post GCSE languages in French, German, Spanish and
Mandarin.
2.2
Part B - Degree Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES
(a) Compulsory modules for candidates not opting for an Exchange Programme:
Code
Title
SSB301
SSB302
SSB317
SSB318
Communication and Cultural Theory
Researching Communications 2
Critical Viewings 1
Critical Viewings 2
Modular
Weight
30
30
10
10
Semester
1&2
1&2
1
2
(b) Compulsory module for candidates opting for an Exchange Programme in Semester 2:
SSB395
Theory and Methods A (Socrates)
30
1
(c) Compulsory module for candidates opting for an Exchange Programme in Semester 1:
SSB396
Theory and Methods B (Socrates)
30
2
OPTIONAL MODULES
(a)
Candidates not opting for an Exchange programme:
(i)
Candidates choose options with a total modular weight of 40.
(ii)
Candidates must choose ONE option (modular weight 20) from Group A below.
(iii)
Candidates must choose two options (each with a modular weight 10) from
either group B or group C below.
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(b)
Candidates opting for an Exchange programme:
(i)
Candidates may choose options with a total modular weight of either 30 or 40
for the Semester in which they are in Loughborough.
(ii)
Candidates must choose ONE option from Group A below for the Semester in
which they are in Loughborough.
(iii)
Candidates may choose remaining options for the Semester in which they are
in Loughborough from Groups B or C below. Candidates must have a total
modular weight of 50, 60 or 70 depending on which semester is used for the
exchange.
(iv)
Candidates must select the appropriate module from Group D below to give a
total modular weight of 120 for the Part.
Group A - Communication and Media Studies modules: A selection to be offered from:
SSC359, SSC356, SSC354, SSC312, SSC316, SSC351, SSC360, SSC361, SSC362,
SSC357, SSC352, SSC353, SSC363
Group B - Communication and Media Studies modules: A selection to be offered from:
SSB359, SSB356, SSB354, SSB312, SSB316, SSB351, SSB360, SSB361, SSB362,
SSB357, SSB352, SSB353, SSB363
Group C: Modules offered at the time in any of Sociology; Social Psychology; Criminology
and Social Policy; Languages; Politics; or others in the University’s Module Catalogue
approved by the Department for inclusion in the programme.
Group D: Exchange Programme modules
2.3
Code
Title
SSB397
SSB398
SSB399
Study Abroad Module
Study Abroad Module
Study Abroad Module
Modular
Weight
50
60
70
Semester
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
Part I
Four Year Thick Sandwich Programme (DINTS route) – candidates will undertake an
Approved Assistantship in a French, German or Spanish speaking school or other approved
placement as specified in module EUI002, Diploma of International Studies (DINTS).
Participation in study abroad or a placement is subject to Departmental approval and
satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B, and the approval of our scheme coordinator in PHIR. Students choosing to study on the Semester Abroad in Part B will only be
allowed to take the additional Year Abroad in exceptional circumstances, and at the discretion
of the Departments of Social Sciences and PHIR.
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2.4
Part C - Degree Modules
COMPULSORY MODULES
Compulsory modules for all candidates:
Code
Title
SSC399
Communication and Media Studies Project
Dissertation
Critical Viewings 3
Researching Communications 3
SSC317
SSC318
Modular
Weight
40
Semester
10
10
1
1
1&2
OPTIONAL MODULES
(i)
Candidates choose options with a total modular weight of 60.
(ii)
Candidates must choose options with a modular weight of 20 from Group A
below.
(iii)
Candidates may choose remaining options with a modular weight of 40 from
either Group A or Group B below.
Group A - Communication and Media Studies modules: A selection to be offered from:
SSC359, SSC356, SSC354, SSC312, SSC316, SSC351, SSC360, SSC361, SSC362,
SSC357, SSC352, SSC353, SSC363
Group B: Modules offered at the time in any of Sociology; Social Psychology; Criminology
and Social Policy; Politics or others in the University’s Module Catalogue approved by the
Department for inclusion in the programme.
3.
Assessment
Criteria for Progression and Degree Award
(1)
Part A: In order to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate at
least 100 credits and obtain a minimum of 30% in remaining modules.
(2)
Part B: In order to progress from Part B to Part C, candidates must accumulate at
least 100 credits and obtain a minimum of 30% in remaining modules.
(3)
Part C: In order to qualify for the award of the degree, candidates must, in addition to
satisfying any other requirements of Regulation XX, accumulate at least 100 credits
and obtain a minimum of 30% in remaining modules.
Relative Weightings of Parts of the Programme for the purposes of Final Degree
Classification
Candidates’ final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in
degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with the scheme set out in
Regulation XX. The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio
Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final Programme Mark.
Reassessment
Subject to the provisions of Regulation XX, candidates who have the right of reassessment in
any Part of the programme may opt to undergo reassessment in the University’s Special
Assessment Period.
Revised: 15th March 2011
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