Communication & Media Studies

Media Text Critical Analysis

Elective. Formal critical analysis of a specific named media text using a named theoretical framework (framing analysis, semiotics, discourse analysis, encoding/decoding, or equivalent). Cite the framework's primary or key secondary sources and apply it step-by-step. A media studies or communications academic challenges your framework application — your written response is part of the proof.

Journalism Investigation and Editorial Review

Elective. Real investigative piece on a real named story: documented facts, verified sources, clear public interest angle. Document your source methodology and fact-checking process. Publication is NOT required — proof is the editorial process: a working journalist or editor with ≥3 years experience provides documented feedback (≥1 sourcing issue, ≥1 editorial decision they would make differently), and you produce a revision with written responses. The editorial review, revision, and responses are the proof.

Professional Media Production

Elective. Complete media project at professional standard: podcast series (≥3 episodes, ≥15 minutes total), documentary short (≥5 minutes, edited), or news package (≥2 minutes, broadcast-ready). Document your production process. A media practitioner (journalist, broadcaster, podcast producer) identifies ≥2 specific production decisions where professional practice would differ from yours — their feedback and your written response with rationale are part of the proof.

Digital Media and Audience Analysis

Elective. Real audience or platform data analysis using actual platform analytics (with consent) or a named public dataset (Ofcom, Nielsen, Pew Research, or equivalent). Document methodology, analysis output, and conclusions about audience behaviour or platform dynamics. A media practitioner or communications researcher challenges your interpretation and questions whether your sample is representative — your written response is part of the proof.

Free annual report on digital news consumption across 47 countries. A primary data source for the digital media audience analysis step, and a model of how rigorous audience research is structured and reported. Freely downloadable.

Free audience research and media industry data from one of the most cited sources in the field. Useful for the digital media audience analysis step (named datasets) and as a model of how media researchers structure methodology and report findings.

Free case study library from Harvard's Shorenstein Center documenting real media manipulation campaigns. An excellent source of real named media texts for the critical theory analysis step — each case is documented with sources and timeline, making it easy to apply framing analysis or discourse analysis to a specific, dateable example.