Back to Course List

BA Society, Culture and Media ( LP33 )

UCAS Course Code:
LP33
Duration:
3 years
Attendance:
Full Time
Award:
Degree of Bachelor of Arts
School of Study:
Political, Social and International Studies
Brochure:
School of Political, Social and International Studies Undergraduate Brochure (PDF)
Typical A-Level Offer:
ABB

The 2012 Complete University Guide ranks UEA second in the country for Media and Communications StudiesRead More

This very popular academically rigorous degree not only provides a sound foundation in social studies, but also enables you to develop an understanding of the ways that contemporary media relate to culture and to society. You can combine studying the politics of culture with studying cinema, or learn the critical thinking skills of philosophy and apply them to understanding modern media and culture. There are modules that emphasise linguistic approaches to media, the relationship between culture and society, new media and the politics of mass media.

What makes us who we are? Clearly our genes and the situation we grew up in are very important but so, increasingly, is the culture into which we have been socialised. Culture includes talk and the way people act and interact in a society - not only the rituals and ceremonies distinctive to a particular society's culture but also the tastes, lifestyles and fashions that we may think of as part of our individual identity.

During the twentieth century we saw a massive increase in 'mediated culture' - the images, talk, ideas and writing communicated to us through the electronic media. The cultural sphere of face-to-face interaction and print media that dominated during the nineteenth century was extended during the twentieth to include radio, cinema, television, recorded music and magazines. And over the last thirty years computer technology has extended all these media still further, especially via the internet that enables us to send and receive messages of all types: sound, image, text and a mix of all three. Together these media have become a major feature of the culture of contemporary society and have reshaped our political life and how all manner of social relations and cultural values are established and maintained.

Why study Society, Culture and Media at UEA?

UEA has now become a major academic centre for the study of culture and media, and this innovative programme, introduced in September 2002, brings together research and teaching expertise in sociology, socio-linguistics, film and television studies and political science. You will study core units such as Culture and Society and those that develop research skills but you will also be able to choose from a range of options including units such as, Cinema since 1960, Constructing the News, Consumer Cultures, Contemporary Social Identities, Discourse Analysis, Economics of Film and TV, European Media: News and Documentary, Interpreting Modernity, Introduction to European Cinema, Key issues in film studies, Language and Politics, Politics and Mass Media, Politics and Popular Culture, Sociology of the Body, Visual Culture and Television sitcom. 

This degree programme is not designed to provide technical or professional media training but to give you the sort of knowledge and ideas that could set you on a wide variety of careers including those in the leisure and cultural industries. As well as developing a range of transferable skills, on completion of the degree you will have an understanding of how culture and media shape modern societies that will enhance your abilities to contribute to cultural change as a citizen.

PSI Graduate comments

Casey Bingham – BA Society, Culture and Media (2006)  

I very much enjoyed my time at UEA. I thought that the teaching in general was very good; staff were always polite, friendly and eager to help in any way that they could. I was particularly pleased with my choice of course because I felt that it gave me a good deal more breadth in the subjects that were on offer. While the compulsory units helped to lay a theoretical foundation, I felt able to take this in my chosen direction through careful selection of both optional and free choice units.

Xiao Yang – BA Society Culture and Media (2006)  

I really learnt a lot from this lovely university, not only knowledge related to my major, also other experience. There are many courses that are very interesting in my major. I chose ‘Politics and Mass Media’, ‘Interpreting Modernity’, ‘Culture and Society’, ‘Key Issues in Film Studies’, ‘Researching Documents’, ‘Stardom in Film and Television Studies’ and so on. I really gained lots of knowledge which I hadn’t learnt before, and I really enjoyed it. The teachers and other staff at UEA are very friendly and helpful. From 2003 to 2006, I was an overseas student studying at UEA, so I always had certain problems to deal with, for example, how to choose a suitable course; how to do my first presentation; how to do a group work with native students; etc. When I met difficulties, and asked them for help, they were so patient and gave me useful suggestions. Until now, I really want to say thanks to all staff at UEA – I am proud that I have studied at UEA, and I am also happy that I have met such lovely people at UEA.

At the same time, I joined the society of ‘Street Jazz Dance’ at UEA, which really brought me extra fun. In there, I made a large number of friends from different countries. In addition, I did quite a lot of performances in LCR (at UEA campus). I really loved that time, now I always miss that wonderful time.

Now I work in the International Foundation College in Shenzhen as a teacher of IELTS. Although this job is not related to my major at all, I really love it. The reason is that all the students in our college are going to study abroad for an Undergraduate or Masters Degree, and I can use what I have learnt and what I have experienced to tech them, and give them more suggestion to know how to study and how to live in foreign countries.


Dr. Sanna Inthorn

Why Choose UsThe Student Experience Survey ranks UEA third in the country - two places higher than last year's result and overtaking both Oxford and Cambridge... Read More >

The School of Political Social and International Studies (PSI) specialises in teaching and research in politics, international relations, media and culture.

We offer a wide range of courses that allow you to explore the politics of different countries and regions – for example, Russia, South-east Asia, the United States, Europe and Australia and, of course, the United Kingdom. You can learn about the key power-holders, about how parties compete to influence the public and how policies are made. Some of our students experience life in the lobby at first hand through the parliamentary internship scheme.

In the international arena there are modules dealing with security, terrorism, American foreign policy, fundamentalism, environmental issues and international players such as the United Nations. A module on the history of world politics since 1945 helps you understand how we arrived at 21st-century global patterns of power.

We offer a distinctive range of degrees specialising in media, culture and politics where topics covered may include mass media, political blogs, popular culture, new media, political marketing and 'practical media’, which enables students to make their own news documentary.

All our degrees give you opportunities to take modules from other UEA Schools which are selected to fit in with our degree programmes. Each degree includes the option of a 'free choice’ module taken from another School.

UniStats Information

Compulsory Study (80 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 80 credits:

Name Code Credits
ANALYSING FILM AND TELEVISION FTMF1F09 20
MEDIA, SOCIETY AND POWER PSI-1A09 20
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THEORY PSI-1A01 20
UNDERSTANDING MEDIA CULTURES PSI-1A08 20

Option A Study (40 credits)

Students will select 40 credits from the following modules:

Name Code Credits
BEGINNERS' ARABIC I LCSU1OA1 20
BEGINNERS' ARABIC II/IMPROVERS LCSU1OA2 20
BEGINNERS' CHINESE I LCSU1OC1 20
BEGINNERS' CHINESE II LCSU1OC2 20
BEGINNERS' FRENCH I LCSU1F11 20
BEGINNERS' FRENCH I (SPRING START) LCSU1F14 20
BEGINNERS' FRENCH II LCSU1F12 20
BEGINNERS' GERMAN I LCSU1G11 20
BEGINNERS' GERMAN II LCSU1G12 20
BEGINNERS' GREEK I LCSU1OG1 20
BEGINNERS' GREEK II LCSU1OG2 20
BEGINNERS' ITALIAN I LCSU1OI1 20
BEGINNERS' ITALIAN II LCSU1OI2 20
BEGINNERS' JAPANESE I LCSU1OJ1 20
BEGINNERS' JAPANESE I (SPRING START) LCSU1OJ4 20
BEGINNERS' JAPANESE II LCSU1OJ2 20
BEGINNERS' RUSSIAN I LCSU1OR1 20
BEGINNERS' RUSSIAN II LCSU1OR2 20
BEGINNERS' SPANISH I LCSU1H11 20
BEGINNERS' SPANISH I (SPRING START) LCSU1H14 20
BEGINNERS' SPANISH II LCSU1H12 20
DISCOURSE AND POWER LCS-1L20 20
ECONOMICS AND SOCIETY ECO-1A08 20
FORM AND FUNCTION ART-1L08 20
INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I LCSU2F95 20
INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II LCSU2F96 20
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I LCSU2G97 20
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN II LCSU2G98 20
INTERMEDIATE GREEK I LCSU2OG1 20
INTERMEDIATE GREEK II LCSU2OG2 20
INTERMEDIATE RUSSIAN I LCSU2OR1 20
INTERMEDIATE RUSSIAN II LCSU2OR2 20
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I LCSU2H11 20
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II LCSU2H12 20
INTERROGATING CULTURE FTMF1F12 20
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE I LCSU1OB1 20
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE I (SPRING START) LCSU1OB4 20
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE II LCSU1OB2 20
INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY POLITICS PSI-1A02 20
MEDIA REGULATION FTMF1F14 20
MODERN JAPANESE LANGUAGE HONOURS 2/I LCSU2J01 20
MODERN JAPANESE LANGUAGE HONOURS 2/II LCSU2J02 20
MODERN READINGS IN PHILOSOPHY PHI-1A04 20
POST A LEVEL SPANISH LANGUAGE 2/I LCSU2H21 20
POST A LEVEL SPANISH LANGUAGE 2/II LCSU2H22 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 1/I LCSU1F21 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 1/II LCSU1F22 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 2/I LCSU2F01 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 2/II LCSU2F02 20
POST A-LEVEL GERMAN LANGUAGE 1/I LCSU1G21 20
POST A-LEVEL GERMAN LANGUAGE 1/II LCSU1G22 20
POST A-LEVEL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 1/I LCSU1J21 20
POST A-LEVEL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 1/II LCSU1J22 20
POST A-LEVEL SPANISH 1/I LCSU1H21 20
POST A-LEVEL SPANISH 1/II LCSU1H22 20

Compulsory Study (40 credits)

Students must study the following modules for 40 credits:

Name Code Credits
METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH PSI-2A13 20
POWER AND SOCIETY PSI-2A35 20

Option A Study (20 credits)

Students will select 20 credits from the following modules:

Name Code Credits
CONSUMER CULTURE AND SOCIETY PSI-2A50 20
NEW MEDIA AND SOCIETY PSI-2A27 20
POLITICS AND MASS MEDIA PSI-2A02 20
THE MEDIA AND IDENTITY PSI-2A26 20

Option B Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following modules:

Name Code Credits
ANIMATION FTMF2F33 20
BEGINNERS' ARABIC I LCSU1OA1 20
BEGINNERS' ARABIC II/IMPROVERS LCSU1OA2 20
BEGINNERS' CHINESE I LCSU1OC1 20
BEGINNERS' CHINESE II LCSU1OC2 20
BEGINNERS' FRENCH I LCSU1F11 20
BEGINNERS' FRENCH I (SPRING START) LCSU1F14 20
BEGINNERS' FRENCH II LCSU1F12 20
BEGINNERS' GERMAN I LCSU1G11 20
BEGINNERS' GERMAN II LCSU1G12 20
BEGINNERS' GREEK I LCSU1OG1 20
BEGINNERS' GREEK II LCSU1OG2 20
BEGINNERS' ITALIAN I LCSU1OI1 20
BEGINNERS' ITALIAN II LCSU1OI2 20
BEGINNERS' JAPANESE I LCSU1OJ1 20
BEGINNERS' JAPANESE I (SPRING START) LCSU1OJ4 20
BEGINNERS' JAPANESE II LCSU1OJ2 20
BEGINNERS' RUSSIAN I LCSU1OR1 20
BEGINNERS' RUSSIAN II LCSU1OR2 20
BEGINNERS' SPANISH I LCSU1H11 20
BEGINNERS' SPANISH I (SPRING START) LCSU1H14 20
BEGINNERS' SPANISH II LCSU1H12 20
CATEGORIES AND CONCEPTS ART-2L06 20
CONSUMER CULTURE AND SOCIETY PSI-2A50 20
CULTURAL THEORY AND ANALYSIS LDCE2X17 20
INTERMEDIATE FRENCH I LCSU2F95 20
INTERMEDIATE FRENCH II LCSU2F96 20
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN I LCSU2G97 20
INTERMEDIATE GERMAN II LCSU2G98 20
INTERMEDIATE GREEK I LCSU2OG1 20
INTERMEDIATE GREEK II LCSU2OG2 20
INTERMEDIATE RUSSIAN I LCSU2OR1 20
INTERMEDIATE RUSSIAN II LCSU2OR2 20
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH I LCSU2H11 20
INTERMEDIATE SPANISH II LCSU2H12 20
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE I LCSU1OB1 20
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE I (SPRING START) LCSU1OB4 20
INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE II LCSU1OB2 20
LANGUAGE AND GENDER LCS-2L64 20
LANGUAGE AND POLITICS LCS-2L28 20
LANGUAGE AND SOCIETY (LEVEL 2) LCS-2L44 20
MATERIAL WORLDS ART-2X89 20
MODERN JAPANESE LANGUAGE HONOURS 2/I LCSU2J01 20
MODERN JAPANESE LANGUAGE HONOURS 2/II LCSU2J02 20
MODERNISM LDCE2Z15 20
NEW MEDIA AND SOCIETY PSI-2A27 20
POLITICAL THEATRE LDCD2X02 20
POLITICS AND MASS MEDIA PSI-2A02 20
POST A LEVEL SPANISH LANGUAGE 2/I LCSU2H21 20
POST A LEVEL SPANISH LANGUAGE 2/II LCSU2H22 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 1/I LCSU1F21 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 1/II LCSU1F22 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 2/I LCSU2F01 20
POST A-LEVEL FRENCH LANGUAGE 2/II LCSU2F02 20
POST A-LEVEL GERMAN LANGUAGE 1/I LCSU1G21 20
POST A-LEVEL GERMAN LANGUAGE 1/II LCSU1G22 20
POST A-LEVEL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 1/I LCSU1J21 20
POST A-LEVEL JAPANESE LANGUAGE 1/II LCSU1J22 20
POST A-LEVEL SPANISH 1/I LCSU1H21 20
POST A-LEVEL SPANISH 1/II LCSU1H22 20
RACE AND RACISM IN THE USA AMSA2H32 20
RECEPTION AND AUDIENCE STUDIES IN FILM AND TELEVISION FTMF2F29 20
STUDY ABROAD MODULE PSI-2A18 60
TELEVISION GENRE FTMF2F54 20
THE BUSINESS OF FILM AND TELEVISION FTMF2F35 20
THE MEDIA AND IDENTITY PSI-2A26 20

Option A Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following modules:

Name Code Credits
ANALYSING MEDIA DISCOURSES PSI-3A41 30
BROADCAST JOURNALISM PSI-3A51 30
DISSERTATION MODULE PSI-3A0Y 30
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION PSI-3A10 30
POLITICS AND POPULAR CULTURE PSI-3A37 30

Option B Study (60 credits)

Students will select 60 credits from the following modules:

Name Code Credits
ANALYSING MEDIA DISCOURSES PSI-3A41 30
BROADCAST JOURNALISM PSI-3A51 30
CELEBRITY FTMF3F64 30
DISSERTATION MODULE PSI-3A0Y 30
GENDER AND GENRE IN CONTEMPORARY CINEMA FTMF3F10 30
MANGAMANIA AND JAPAN HUM-3J01 30
NATIVE AMERICAN WRITING AND FILM AMSA3S02 30
NEW AMERICAN CENTURY: CULTURE AND CRISIS AMSA3S1Y 60
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION PSI-3A10 30
POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE WITH INTERNSHIP (WORK BASED EXPERIENCE/EMPLOYABILITY TRAINING PROGRAMME) PSI-3A80 30
POLITICS AND POPULAR CULTURE PSI-3A37 30
RHETORIC: DEMOCRACY AND THE POLITICS OF PERSUASION PSI-3A59 30
SELLING SPECTACLE FTMF3F45 30
TEENAGE KICKS: MEDIA, YOUTH AND SUBCULTURE FTMF3F61 30
THE GREAT SOCIETY: AMERICA FROM JFK & LBJ TO NIXON, 1960-74 AMSA3H01 30
WE THE PEOPLE? PUBLICS, CROWDS AND DEMOCRACY PSI-3A84 30
WOMEN, ISLAM AND MEDIA FTMF3F83 30

Disclaimer

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules and regular (five-yearly) review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff or sabbatical leave. Where this is the case, the University will endeavour to inform students.

Year Abroad

One semester in the second year can be spent in Europe, North America or Australia. For further information on study abroad, please go to the Study Abroad website.

Entry Requirements

A Level:
ABB
International Baccalaureate:
32
Scottish Advanced Highers:
ABB
Irish Leaving Certificate:
AABBBB
Access Course:
Please contact the university for further information.
HND:
Please contact the university for further information.
European Baccalaureate:
75%

Students for whom English is a Foreign language

We welcome applications from students from all academic backgrounds. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading). Recognised English Language qualifications include:

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in Reading and Writing with no less than 5.5 in any component)
  • TOEFL: Internet-based score of 88 overall (minimum 20 in Reading and Speaking components, 19 in Writing component and 17 in Listening components.
  • PTE: 62 overall (minimum 55 in Reading and Writing components with no less than 51 in any component).

If you do not meet the University's entry requirements, our INTO Language Learning Centre offers a range of university preparation courses to help you develop the high level of academic and English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study.
 

Interviews

The majority of candidates will not be called for an interview. However, for some students an interview will be requested. These are normally quite informal and generally cover topics such as your current studies, reasons for choosing the course and your personal interests and extra-curricular activities.

Gap Year

We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year.

Deferred Entry

We welcome applications for deferred entry, believing that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry and may wish to contact the appropriate Admissions Office directly to discuss this further.

Intakes

The School's annual intake is in September of each year.

Alternative Qualifications

If you have alternative qualifications that have not been mentioned above, then please contact university directly for further information.

GCSE Offer

Students are required to have GCSE Mathematics and GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.

Assessment

For the majority of candidates the most important factors in assessing the application will be past and future achievement in examinations, academic interest in the subject being applied for, personal interest and extra-curricular activities and the confidential reference.

We consider applicants as individuals and accept students from a very wide range of educational backgrounds and spend time considering your application in order to reach an informed decision relating to your application. Typical offers are indicated above. Please note, there may be additional subject entry requirements specific to individual degree courses.

Fees and Funding

University Fees and Financial Support: UK/EU Students

https://www.uea.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/finance

University Fees and Financial Support: International Students

The University will be charging International students £12,300.00 for all full time School of Political, Social and International Studies undergraduate programmes which start in 2013.

Please click to access further information about fees and funding for International students


Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.

UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The system allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it must be sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.

The UCAS code name and number for the University of East Anglia is EANGL E14.

Further Information

If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances with the Admissions Office prior to applying please do contact us:

Undergraduate Admissions Office (Political, Social and International Studies)
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk

Please click here to register your details online via our Online Enquiry Form.

International candidates are also actively encouraged to access the University's International section of our website.