Programme Specification: MSc Communication, Information and Society*

1. Awarding Body / LSE
2. Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body, e.g. ESRC; BPS etc / N/A
3. Name of final award / MSc
4. Programme Title / Communication, Information and Society
5. Duration of the course / 12 months part-time, 24 months full-time
6. Based in the Department/Institute: / Media and Communications/Information Systems and Innovation
7. Relevant QAA subject benchmark statements / N/A
8. Application Code / P4U5
9. First written/last amended / 2000/2002
10. The programme aims to:
-to provide a high quality postgraduate education which introduces students to major social scientific approaches to media and communications
-to provide a research training for students wishing to go on to MPhil/PhD research, and to encourage the development of independent research skills
-to prepare students for doctoral or professional research in media and communications and for entry into a variety of media and communications-related careers
11. Programme outcomes: knowledge and understanding; skills and other attributes
-to enable students to develop an understanding of a range of theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of media and communications
-to provide students with access to knowledge of conceptual developments and debates in research on media and communications
-to provide students with a foundation in research relevant skills in media and communications (including qualitative and quantitative empirical and theoretical skills)
-to enable students to acquire the skills to think analytically and to facilitate their critical awareness of the academic and professional literature relevant to their studies of media and communications
-to allow students the flexibility to pursue particular topics of interest to them in a variety of areas related to the social scientific study of media and communications
-to provide transferable skills in critical evaluation, marshalling of varied evidence, organisation of complex materials and effective written and oral communication
-to introduce students to current developments in the professional media and communications world by organising regular seminars from invited professionals working in major firms and institutions
-to provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment for students on an individual basis, in groups and in collaboration with supervisors
Information relating to careers can be accessed here
12. Teaching, learning and assessment strategies to enable outcomes to be achieved and demonstrated
New Media, Information and Knowledge Systems involves a one and a half hour fortnightly session with associated seminars in the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications (Media and Power) involves a one and a half hour weekly session with associated seminars. The methods course is taught as a series of practical classes and lectures. Information systems involves a two hour weekly lecture and weekly classes. Aspects of Information is taught through two hour lectures and one hour classes as are the majority of the optional courses.
Students are assessed by written examinations, a series of research assignments, essays related to the substantive courses and the dissertation, which must be submitted towards the end of August.
13. Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules and awards
Programme regulations can be viewed here

Additional information

14. Criteria for admission to the programme
Students should have at least an upper second class honours degree or its equivalent in a social science subject. Applications are particularly welcome from those with professional experience in the media and, in this case, a degree in other subjects, including politics and economics would be accepted. Exceptionally, professional experience instead of a first degree may be considered.
15. Indicators of quality
Entrance requirements (see 14) and strong demand for the programme
Members of department serve on relevant editorial boards of refereed journals
Research quality: Submitted with sociology UoA-5 in 2001 RAE
Members of the department are authors of key texts in the programme subject area
Members of the department are recipients of research grants in the programme subject area (and research results inform the courses offered)
External Examiner’s Reports
The LSE Careers Centre website provides data on career destinations of LSE Media graduates.
16. Methods for evaluating and improving the quality and standard of teaching and learning
Media@lse student survey feedback in addition to School survey of teaching quality
Staff-student termly meetings
Review and promotion process includes an assessment of teaching
Tutor monitoring of student progress
Media@lse Teaching and Learning Committee
Complaints/consultation procedure
External Examiner’s Reports
Part-time teachers meetings
Staff mentoring includes teaching
Regular liaison between Programme director and Information Systems Department (the main other source of the Programme’s teaching)

*This programme was withdrawn from the end of 2008/09 session