Media and cultural studies - 2008/9

This page introduces the module you will be working on over the coming weeks. The learning outcomes and process are common across both year groups and then there are separate links at the bottom of this page to each specific project.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module you will be able to …

• Keep a blog and edit a wiki, be able to explain the similarities and differences between them and determine which is most appropriate in a range of scenarios
• Understand some of the considerations when creating media for use online
• Prepare text for use online and understand the differences between writing for print and for screen display, i.e. the web
• Assess web sites with regards to the characteristics of good web page design and layout
• Reflect on the process involved in group working
• Discuss the concepts within the topic area selected
• Conduct research using online tools

Further outcomes specific to each year group will be detailed on the group project pages if needed.

Process

You will be working as part of a small group. The group will create a web-based “product”, a resource which adds to the body of information about a specific topic, i.e. while it might refer to existing resources it will be unique. The group will create content by writing up research and developing new media (video and/or still images and/or audio and/or something else). This new resource will be hosted on a PBWiki. You will also keep a journal in the form of a blog. Your final mark for this module will be made up of 50% for the group work and 50% for your blog.

Wiki

The wiki will include links to the blogs of each member of your group and also photos of each group member (or a group photo). "Word count" is difficult to determine because of the key differences between writing an essay and writing for the web but your wiki should be an appropriate representation of the combined work of a group of undergraduates. This might seem like a subjective test, almost a "weighing of the souls", but we can have a chat about that and agree a common understanding. It will certainly meet the same type of standard expected in an academic essay regarding plagiarism and spelling. Any text or ideas copied from an author who isn't part of your group must be correcting attributed. Whilst we might allow an occasional typo please make sure your group work is proof-read. Your wiki will include media other than simple text and the appropriate use of colour and media will form part of the marking criteria.

Blog

Your blog will be used to record your thoughts about the project and what you’ve learnt during the face-to-face session, your independent research or meetings and discussions within the group. You must make at least one entry each week of the module – a minimum of 9 entries. If you are not able to make a posting on your blog for any reason make me aware – if we reach week 8 and you’ve not done anything about the blog it’s going to be difficult to get that 50% of the marks. All blogs will be on Blogger.

As media students writing for an audience is an important skill and keeping a reflective journal in this way is a very useful way of improving your learning. If you have any problem with keeping the blog please let me know as soon as possible.

Attendance

During this module you will rely on other members of your group and they will rely on you - if you don't attend the classroom-based sessions you will not be able to contribute. If you are unable to attend the classroom sessions as timetabled you must let Lynda Dyson know as soon as possible. Each session I will list, on the wiki, those who haven't attended.

Timekeeping

This term I've been asked not to allow anyone to join the session if they are 15 minutes late.

Summary

Bear in mind that the main objectives are as detailed here - don't fall into the trap of getting so hung up on the project details that you lose sight of the wider aims.