Media Culture and Communication Studies

Communication, Culture and Media explores how stories are told — and transformed — across time, cultures, and technologies. From cave paintings to TikTok, students examine how evolving technologies shape cultural and societal change, the way we connect, express identity, and influence others.
In this course, students develop foundational skills in oral and visual storytelling, including vocal delivery and camera work. They examine contemporary media forms such as social media, vlogs, and short-form video, and analyse the rise of influencers, propaganda, and AI-generated content.
Students experiment with AI tools to plan short films, gaining insight into the opportunities and challenges of emerging creative technologies. Through knowledge checks, a short film project, and a final oral presentation, students build confidence in both the technical and conceptual aspects of communication in the digital age.
Designed for students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, the course encourages intercultural storytelling, critical media literacy, and reflective communication skills, preparing learners for further academic study and creative collaboration.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify and explain key concepts in media, communication, and intercultural storytelling.
2. Apply oral and visual storytelling techniques, including AI-assisted planning, in developing and communicating a narrative.
3. Collaborate effectively to create media productions, and to develop AI-assisted pre-production documents such as synopses and shot lists.
4. Demonstrate foundational technical skills in media production, including camera work, sound, and editing.
5. Analyse and articulate the social, cultural, and technological influences shaping contemporary media forms.
6. Participate in an academic community through reflective and critical engagement in academic texts and understanding of principles of academic integrity.