Institute of Education London

Research in Media, Cultural Studies and Education

Course Code:MMAMCC_26

This is a non-assessed module which introduces participants to key empirical studies which have influenced theories and methodologies in the field of media, cultural studies and communication. The module is available all year and supports participants as part of their supervision for the compulsory Reports/Dissertations part of the MA in Media, Culture and Communication (PMM9_MCC9IM). Given the research led nature of the degree, the module will provide participants with an overview of methods and analyses used by media and cultural studies researchers in the field of education and learning. Reading of original source texts of key studies will provide participants with an understanding of the development and debates within the field. This overview will ensure coherence across the course and provide a base from which to expand, develop and apply research methods and analyses in other modules. It provides a critical overview of research within the interdisciplinary fields of media, cultural studies and education. The aim is to provide a background in the methods and analyses which will be applied and developed in different areas throughout the course. The module will cover the following areas: ethnography, audience research, discourse analysis, semiotic analysis, observational research and quantitative research. Media and cultural studies have a long research tradition upon which we will draw. The link between cultural studies and education will be made by considering research in areas such as school cultures, home-school relations, power structures, diversity, educational discourse and informal learning. The module will give participants experience of reading original source materials and debating questions raised by studies in the field. The module will prepare participants to do their own research as part of the course. Online components will include conferences related to the readings, and discussion groups connected with each study. This module is offered throughout the year as a resource.

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