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IS41300

Academic Year 2025/2026

Media & Communication Thesis (IS41300)

Subject:
Information Studies
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Information & Comms Studies
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
30
Module Coordinator:
Dr Kylie Jarrett
Trimester:
Summer
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
Module Type:
Research/Capstone Module
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

In this module, students will develop, collect data, and write a high-quality dissertation in media and communications. Workshops in the first semester will guide development of a viable research project centred on students' areas of interests. Students will then work with a supervisor to refine the research design before undertaking independent research to complete the study and generate a thesis. The module is focused on independent study and the development of research and analytical skills along with critical and reflexive understanding. It will deepen knowledge of research processes and the subject areas.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

Identify research problems and generate research questions and hypotheses
Design and execute a research project
Engage ethically with questions of method and data collection
Synthesise and critique key concepts, theories, positions, and methods in their topic area
Apply theoretical and analytical tools to generate insight
Generate a clear and well organised dissertation that effectively communicates concepts

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Seminar (or Webinar)

10
Autonomous Student Learning

740
Total

750

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module is based on active learning through research, writing, and presentation tasks. It emphasises independent research with group workshops and one-on-one supervision intended to guide and support the development of the research design, the research process and the final dissertation. The project centres the students' research interests and is led by their agenda and support needs with ongoing feedback from supervisors to support this process.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Assignment(Including Essay): Research proposal Week 1 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 Yes
Thesis/Dissertation: Students are required to produce a written thesis report. Week 15 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
80
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Workshops will provide individual and group formative feedback and both summative and formative feedback will be given on the research proposal. Supervisors will provide ongoing feedback during one-on-one meetings and summative feedback will be given on the final dissertation.

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