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International Development Courses

MA Media and International Development

  • Course Code DNT1PL39101
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Attendance Full Time
  • Award Degree of Master of Arts
  • Overview
  • Why Choose Us
  • Requirements
  • Course Profile
  • Fees and Funding
  • Apply
Overview
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The MA Media and International Development degree is a unique and innovative Masters programme which addresses current theories, practice and research surrounding the relationship between media and development. 

This Masters degree has its own distinctive approach to analysing the relationship between media and development, focusing particularly on development communication and international coverage of development and developing countries as well as issues such as the role of media in governance, conflict and environmental change.

The media have a vital role to play in all aspects of development, including communicating development ‘messages’, promoting participation, and facilitating the flow of information locally, nationally and internationally. Media are also central to encouraging charitable donations, promoting good governance, democracy and human rights and in delivering public health messages during emergencies. The purpose of this MA is to provide students with theoretical frameworks for critically understanding this broad range of issues relevant to the relationship between media and development.
 

This MA is in situated in the School of International Development which has world-class reputation for research in development studies. It also has strong links with other departments in the university which teach media through its core interdisciplinary module in Media and Society (School of Political, Social and International StudiesSchool of EconomicsSchool of Film and Television Studies, and the Law School). This MA is also part of the media@uea initiative at the University. The combination of module options from DEV and other departments at UEA gives students a truly unique range of choices. 

This Masters has links with a number of organisations in relevant fields. The course was founded by the secretary general of the Commonwealth Broadcasting Association (CBA), who still teaches on it. A Chevening bursary (deadline: 23rd January 2012) is also offered through the CBA. New Media Networks contribute to the teaching on one of the core modules and alongside the CBA provide valuable resources in terms of broadcast materials, expertise, contacts and networks. Postcode Films has developed an intensive, six-day, course entitled, Ethnographic Film-making for Development Professionals, which MAMID students attend. More recently, MAMID students have helped to co-curate a season of short films with Your World View. In recent years we have also had visiting speakers from The Guardian, Mediae and Health Images. The course has also recently linked up with Inter Press Service to provide internship opportunities at some of their regional offices. Indeed, in recent years MAMID students have been relatively successful at securing internships and work placements such as with the UN in New York, UNESCO in Bangkok, the BBC in Norwich, Video Volunteers in India and TV Borjomi in Georgia (through ASA/GLEN). 

Another distinctive feature of this MA in Media and International Development is its new ground-breaking module - Media and Development in Practice – which was introduced in the 2011-12 academic year. In this module students work with organizations in the local community to design, implement and evaluate their own ‘live’ media and development project and to reflect on the process along the way. This practice-based module is taught in collaboration with New Media Networks.

Endorsement from Professor Colin Sparks, University of WestminsterThis Masters will be relevant to those who have recently completed undergraduate study with an interest in the relationship between media and development as well as those who have already worked in the media or in the field of development. Applicants for the MA programme should have a good first degree in the social sciences, preferably in media or development, and some relevant work experience would be desirable.

MAMID students have gone on to work in a range of fields including journalism, humanitarian communication, NGO communications, media development, development communication and academia. 

Teaching methods include a range of approaches and activities including seminars, lectures, video sessions and workshops. Assessment will be by essays, preparation for and participation in seminars and projects, a written examination, a dissertation and a media analysis.

The MA Media and International Development degree is offered over one year full-time, or two years part-time.

Please contact the course convenor, Martin Scott, for further information about the course.  

Student Profile - MA Media and International Development

Course Profile 

Our Masters courses require students to undertake 180 credits:

  • Compulsory and Optional modules (120 credits)
  • Examination (20 credits)
  • Dissertation (40 credits)

Students will receive detailed module outlines, including information about lectures and seminars, full reading lists and assessments once they have registered at the beginning of their course. 

Please click to access the Course Profile for the MA Media and International Development.



Our Alumni
 
‘I am really applying what I studied at UEA to my job, especially about communication for development. So most of the time when am working I remember our classes and smile’ - Daisy Serem, Assistant Communication Officer, UNICEF, Nairobi.

'I'm so excited that I did the right MA and will definitely use the knowledge I gained throughout the course in my job’ - Zilani Khonje, Media and Communications Coordinator, Oxfam Malawi. 



Recommended Reading

Cottle, S. (2006) Mediatized Conflict: Understanding Media and Conflict in the Contemporary World.

Gumucio Dagron, A. (2001) Making Waves: Stories of Participatory Communication for Social Change. https://www.comminit.com/en/node/3713/36

Harvey, M. (Ed.) (2007) Media Matters: Perspectives on Advancing Media and Development from the Global Forum for Media Development. Internews. Available online at www.internews.org/pubs/gfmd/mediamatters.shtm

Hemer, O., Tufte, T. (eds.) (2005) Media and Glocal Change: Rethinking Communication for Development. Clasco books. Available online at http://bibliotecavirtual.clacso.org.ar/ar/libros/edicion/media/media.html

Servaes, J. (ed.) (2008) Communication for Development and Social Change.

Sparks, C. (2007) Globalization, Development and the Mass Media. Sage.

Thompson, A. (ed.) (2007) The Media and the Rwanda Genocide. Pluto Press. 


Professional, Employability and Practical Skills

A range of optional seminars and workshops are offered during your Masters programme for the teaching and strengthening of student skills. Sessions to support learning - in particular essay and dissertation writing - occur throughout the year. Development practice training is also provided. Please click to access further information about the Skills Training and Development Practice programme



International Development Research Groups

Research in the School of International Development addresses contemporary challenges in developing and transition economies via disciplinary and multi/interdisciplinary approaches. Please click to access further information about our International Development Research Groups and our current research projects.


Course Organiser
Mr Martin Scott    
Related Courses
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