University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: UACA6N-60-3	Title:			SELF DIRECTED STUDY IN MEDIA PRACTICE, previously known as Self directed study in Time Based Media				Version: 5
Level: 3	UWE credit rating: 60						ECTS credit rating:
Module type: Project
Owning Faculty: FCA			Field: Culture and Media Studies
Valid from: December 2008					Discontinued from:
Contributes towards:		BA(Hons) Media Practice
Pre-requisites: Representing Reality UACA7K-40-2 and Production Research UACA7H-20-2
Co-requisites:
Excluded combinations:

Learning outcomes:

To enable students to:

Knowledge and Understanding

i) Complete a body of work appropriate for one or more previously identified media platforms;

ii) Present a body of completed work which effectively addresses the target audiences and channels of distribution identified in pre-production;

iii) Demonstrate evidence of process through an organised presentation of materials.

iv) Show the effective realisation of their concepts of narrative in the presentation of one or more media artefacts.

Intellectual skills

v) Show the development of an informed and articulate appreciation of their own work and the broader context of media production;

vi) Demonstrate critical, aesthetic and academic analysis of their own work;

vii) Demonstrate their understanding of issues of the ethical responsibilities the media producers arising from their project of work.

Subject/Practical Skills

viii) Carry out a continuous and sustained period of self-directed media production;

ix) Identify future directions for their own work in relation to media practice;

x) Apply appropriate media production methodologies in the under-taking of their production activities;

xi) Work effectively as a member of a media production team;

xii) Understand the demands of contemporary practice in the media production industries.

Transferable Skills

xiii) Demonstrate effective communication in verbal, visual and written contexts;

xiv) Show effective organisational abilities in leading and/or working in a team;

xv) Show an ability to be adaptable and react creatively to problem-solving issues created by external constraints or contingencies.

Syllabus outline:

In this module students are required to undertake and complete a substantial body of work that demonstrates consolidation of their own media practice and critical awareness of contemporary media practice.

The module enables students to develop the project work planned in either UAMA6M-40-3‘Preparation for Self-directed Study in Time Based Media: A’ or UAMA6L-20-3 ‘Preparation for Self-directed Study in Time Based Media: B’, through production and postproduction to completion. Students are expected to work on one major piece or several shorter pieces during this period. These projects are usually executed in small production teams that mirror professional time-based media production practice. Negotiations regarding the suitability and content of project proposals and each student’s individual plan of work are set up in the previous ‘preparation’ modules and confirmed in the early stages of this module. This process also enables tutors to identify specific skills requirements across the range of projects and arrange additional skills workshops where necessary.

The focus of the module is upon the production of a sustained body of creative work balanced by the pragmatic considerations of effective media production. Emphasis is placed upon:

• the development and realisation of appropriate narrative strategies for the effective communication of ideas to a defined audience

• the ability to work creatively with sound and images

• the ability to apply critical judgement in order to edit and present ideas in a coherent and expressive narrative form

A series of lectures by a range of media practitioners runs during the module to continue to support students’ engagement with contemporary issues and practice.

For assessment students are required to present their completed project-work together with appropriate supporting material that helps to communicate the development and realisation of the finished piece/s. Each student is also required to present a 3,000 word critical evaluation that offers a critical analysis of the student’s project-work and production and post-production processes. The critical evaluation should also show an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the project-work and contextualise it within the wider context of relevant media work,

Teaching and learning methods:

Learning is supported through a series of individual tutorials and group seminars that run throughout the module. In the early stages of the module, students are required to meet with tutors to confirm their programme of work and to develop a production schedule. This includes practical production planning, the formation of production teams and resource planning. From this point, regular individual tutorials are set up with specialist tutors to monitor progress and offer advice and support. Group seminars are used to allow students to present work in progress to their tutors and their peers. This activity enables students both to test their ideas on an audience and to continue to develop their skills in critical analysis and communication; it also supports continuing cross-media interaction and debate.

The assessment process includes the formal presentation of completed pieces by students to their tutors and their peers. Students are expected to view all presentations and to engage in the cross-media discussions that follow as part of the feedback process. Each student is also given individual feedback following the complete assessment process.

Indicative sources:

Sound
Altman R	Sound Theory, Sound Practice	Routledge, 1992
Crisell A	Understanding Radio 2nd ed.	Routledge, 1994
Video
Katz S	Directing Shot by Shot	Focal, 1991
Interactive Media
Packer R and Jordan K	Multimedia: From Wagner to Virtual Reality	Norton, 2003
Rheingold H	The Virtual Community: Homesteading on the Electronic Frontier	MIT Press, 1994

Further reading and viewing negotiated according to individual student needs.
Publications
Ariel (a BBC publication) Broadcast Campaign Computer Graphics World The Guardian (Mondays) SWMDA (South West Media Development Agency) Newsletter Television
Websites
www.jobsunlimited.co.uk - The Guardian site www.monster.co.uk www.bbc.co.uk/jobs www.sky.co.uk/skytv/jods.htm www.media-contacts.co.uk www.skillset.org

Assessment

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Project work (including supporting material) 70%

2 Critical evaluation (3,000 words) 30%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

1 Project work (including supporting material) 70%

2 Critical evaluation (3,000 words) 30%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes is required.

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)