During this semester-long module, the student will plan, shoot and deliver a series of short films using mobile phones and associated devices. Students will examine and critique existing works of short fiction. They will then write scripts which will be brought from pre-production through shooting and to completion in the edit. All work on this module will be executed using gimbals, consumer audio devices and students' own mobile phones. The films will be edited using freely available editing software.

All work made on this module will be hosted on the students' online portfolio.

1. Exhibit an expanded awareness of the range of contemporary practitioners using mobile phone filmmaking as part of their practice.
2. Identify the knowledge required to develop and research a concept and bring it to completion using the appropriate skills.
3. Display a specialised knowledge of the techniques and skills required to produce a finalised moving image project using mobile phones and portable devices.
4. Exercise the management skills required to plan short films, solve problems, and present final work to a high standard to be hosted on an appropriate online platform.
5. Appreciate narrative structure, character development and directing actors in the realisation of the final piece.
6. Evidence an ability to explore individual artistic and social concerns using contemporary visual media.

This module deepens an understanding of core themes and issues covered in Culture, Media and Society1. It considers the range of critical perspectives and ethical frameworks by which to examine contemporary media.

The module considers issues characterizing a shifting media landscape. Issues around new forms of communication, networked culture, social media, big tech, populism, copyright, privacy, surveillance, public service broadcasting, the future of news, etc. are all up for examination and consideration. Wider concerns such as environmentalism, geopolitics, race, class and gender are also woven through module content. The module also considers the pleasures of cultural production by examining compelling models of practice in a variety of forms.

The module proceeds through lectures, seminar presentations and student discussion. Students will be assessed on two seminar presentations and one essay. The opportunity also exists for field trips to museums, theatres, film festivals, comedy festivals, literature and arts festivals (Cuirt and Tulca).

1. Research, develop and present a rich understanding of a topic of contemporary concern
2. Demonstrate an understanding of research skills necessary to locate and access information through libraries, databases and other online resources
3. Develop further analytical and critical skills through the consideration of visual resources and written texts
4. Construct a confident presentation through PowerPoint and engage in considered and constructive debate

5. Implement the principles of essay writing as a clear and succinct mode of communication

In this module students are asked to examine contemporary visual culture in all of its various forms. It takes as its starting point that visual culture does not exist in isolation, but rather has been formed and continues to be shaped by the ideologies and philosophies of the society in which it exists.

It is an inquiry based module in which students are introduced to societal and ethical topics and these are then examined by reference to specific media. It accepts that contemporary visual culture is multifaceted and, as such it examines, but is not limited to such media as film, television, documentary, social media, the gaming industry, animation, advertising, photography and fine art.

1. Exhibit a detailed knowledge of the multiplicity of theoretical approaches concerningvisual culture.

2. Appraise therelationship between culture andsociety.

3. Research the representation of a relevant topic and present findings as a finalised video-essay.

4. Participate in and contribute to seminars and discussions.

5. Formulate a suitable topic for examination forthe final year’s ‘Research Project / Dissertation’.

It is one thing to produce a piece of writing that will match the criteria for an academic essay, it is another to produce writing that will perform adequately on Twitter. This module focuses on the different forms and demands of writing in the new media sphere. It introduces students to a wide range of writing contexts – from the use of text in an exhibition space to a politician's twitter feed, from an academic essay to interviews with pop stars, from writing on photography to a Booker Prize winning novel. It asks the student to reflect upon their own writing habits and contexts and to critical examine their output to date as a form of Digital Storytelling. It asks of their reading habits and modes of consumption of text in everyday life. This will be the means by which to address how students can write better and more effectively for their selected medium and target audience.

This module proceeds through a series of practical writing workshops with each student producing written material in a number of forms for peer critique and formal assessment.

1. Differenciate between a wide range of writing contexts and the specific demands of each

2. Evaluate audience expectation and demands when encountering specific writing output in specific contexts

3. Develop different forms of writing which match the demands of context
4. Reflect critically upon their own writing habits as a foundation for better writing

5. Comprehend a writing practice as a mode of engaged citizenship and critical reflection

The aim of this module is to gain practical experience through project management in Public Relations and Advocacy. This builds on the year 1 modules in Introduction to Public Relations and Marketing Principals in two ways. Firstly, it marks a shift from theory to a more practice-based model, complimenting other practice-based modules in this year. Secondly, it foregrounds the notion of advocacy as a working principle in the new media field.

The student identifies a topic or suitable subject connected to ideas of social good and develops this as a form of advocacy. Attention is given to the principles of Constructive or Solutions-based Journalism as a mode of production. Projects can be mediated as on-line content or a specific website.

The students will develop skills as digital storytellers towards the creation of informed campaigns based on ethical principles, trust and competence.

It will be a classroom-based practical module which will simulate the workplace environment. However, there it will include field trips where students will interact with advocacy groups, NGO's and public relations organisations in order to gain a deep insight into this field.

1. Design an ethically sound public relations campaign.
2. Exhibit an ability to engage with communities and utilise constructive journalism to communicate and disseminate community issues.

3. Display an ability to examine a range of public relations and advocacy campaigns and assess them on planning, ethics and effectiveness.
4. Describe the principles of advocacy and introduce these as a structuring element in a PR campaign.

5. Implement appropriate digital marketing strategies and modes of dissemination for various project needs.

6. Appraise the importance of ethics, trust and confidence in communications.

This practice-based module simulates a live digital media channel focused on issues, stories, and perspectives within ATU and its surrounding communities. Working as an editorial and production team, students will research, produce, and manage multimedia content that reflects the voices, experiences, and debates shaping campus and local life.

Throughout the module, students will operate a dedicated online site that serves as an evolving platform for creative and journalistic storytelling. They will learn how to identify topics of relevance, develop pitches, conduct research, and produce material across a range of media formats – written, audio, visual, and video – suitable for public publication.

The module emphasises editorial judgment, ethical media practice, teamwork, and audience engagement. By producing and managing a live online channel, students will gain real-world experience in digital content creation, publication workflows, and sustaining an active, credible online presence over time.

1. Develop and pitch original project concepts relevant to a live media context, demonstrating audience awareness and creative intent.
2. Research, produce, and publish multimedia content (text, audio, video, visual) suitable for professional online dissemination.
3. Appraise the editorial and ethical principles governing responsible media production and public accountability across digital platforms.
4. Manage and maintain an online channel – including website design, uploading, formatting, content scheduling, and analytics interpretation.

5. Collaborate effectively within a production team, demonstrating professional communication, adaptability, and leadership in a live workflow.

This module draws from the skills and technology encountered in year 1 video and audio modules and applies them to podcasting, vlogging and webinar production. It covers pre-production and planning, scripting, interview techniques, studio and technical production skills, post-production and distribution. While it is primarily geared towards recording and editing of audio and visual material for podcasts, flogs and webinars, this module will also explore emerging technologies such as generative image generation and augmented reality.

Much of the technical learning from this module will contribute to the production of content for other modules on this programme.

1. Demonstrate an ability to use audio-visual recording equipment to a proficient standard for web-based long-form media content.
2. Execute confidence in operating professional and consumer recording equipment and software for podcasts or vlog output to a professional standard.
3. Navigate the full potential of the mobile phone and associated apps in place of traditional cameras in order to produce content to a professional standard.
4. Incorporate story, script and interview techniques in the service of digital storytelling.
5. Engage and experiment with emerging technologies towards the production of fresh content.

This module will be delivered as a one-semester block . Students will help set up a temporary media hub to broadcast content v ia a dedicated YouTube Channel. Beginning with field trips and moving to self-directed engagement, students will interact with local media organisations with a view to creating content that is appropriate for their medium and their audience. Students will be mentored to ensure that content generated in the field complies to journalistic principles & legal standards, with an emphasis on engaging with primary sources and ensuring factual accuracy. Students will work together to coordinate and distribute content with the Youtube Channel, evaluate audience feedback and consider appropriate digital interaction with the audience. Evaluation of individual material, and the group project as a whole, will be grounded in the standards and ethos of public service media.

1. Attain practical experience in researching, content creation, post-production and broadcasting in a real-world setting

2. Work effectively as an individual media producer and team working tasks involved in group productions

3. Appraise the multiple roles and ethical, practical challenges in a medium scaled media production unit.

4. Gain real world experience of the demands of liaison and accountability in community storytelling and advocacy journalism

5. Organize and gather quality feedback from participants and local community as part of a self/group evaluation process

Recent studies show that a sizeable proportion of people distrust what they read on-line. This module will instil the importance of ethics as an integral part of any digital communication practice. Students will examine a variety of scenarios commonly experienced by journalists working across various media platforms. Students will also examine various digital campaigns in advertising, public relations, reportage and marketing, and debate and consider the moral values and ethics of these. Issues include defamation, content verification, filming/audio restrictions and guidelines, GDPR and insurance. Topics also include questions of fairness and balance, the rise of AI and Deep Fakes, impartiality and bias, accuracy, integrity, and truth in an era of fake news. The moral and ethical standpoints considered in this module are a key requirement for anyone working in any area of digital communications. The skills learned in this module will form an integral part of a transition to any work environment.

1. Explain the role of ethics across the breath of the media and communications spectrum.
2. Exhibit an in-depth knowledge of the interactions of digital media and ethics.

3. Appraise a range of theories of truthfulness and veracity in the field of communications.
4. Evaluate the ethical and legal implications of content creation in a wide variety of situations and media

5. Conduct an ethical critique of specific media campaigns.

This module equips students with the strategic, analytical and professional knowledge required to plan, implement and evaluate social media and web campaigns. Students will learn how to translate brand objectives into data-informed content strategies, measure performance using analytics tools, and optimise for engagement and conversion. A key component of this module is the professional portfolio, where students curate and present their best work from across the programme to demonstrate their creative, strategic and analytical development. The portfolio prepares students for industry engagement, internships and graduate employment by showcasing their applied learning and professional identity.

1. Enable students to critically evaluate the strategic role of social media within wider digital marketing and communication contexts.
2. Develop and present a coherent social media strategy supported by research and data analysis.
3. Apply analytics tools and frameworks to measure performance and inform optimisation.
4. Demonstrate professional competence through a curated portfolio of work.
5. Interpret and develop strategic social web investment plans.

6. Assess emerging trends, technologies and platform innovations to anticipate their implications for social media strategy and audience engagement.
7. Deliberate ethical issues in relation to social media.

This module will deliver to the learner project pitching and promotional skills and introduce the concept of entrepreneurship: From sourcing funding for a project, to running a production company.

1. Convincingly pitch a project idea in writing

2. Generate marketing tools specific to individual projects.

3. Develop and author promotional PR text for a specific project.

4. Outline the entrepreneurial role of the producer.

5. Proficiently and persuasively complete an application form for project funding.

6. Investigate and evaluate sources of funding for media projects, films, and start-ups.

This module explores emerging technologies and examines the transformative impact they are having — and will continue to have — across society, the creative industries, and the wider innovation landscape. Students will apply a design thinking methodology to guide their creative and investigative processes, moving through the stages of empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. This approach encourages a human-centred and iterative exploration of technology's role in shaping new ideas, experiences, and solutions. Working hands-on with cutting-edge technologies available on campus, students will experiment with tools and platforms that foster creative innovation and entrepreneurial opportunity. They will explore how these technologies can be applied within their own disciplines, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset informed by ethical awareness, sustainability, and the values of the creative economy. Assessment is based on demonstrations, presentations and a final practical project.

1. Develop a deep understanding of target audiences by assessing the latest developments in technologies within a specific sector, identifying user needs, and discerning the advantages and disadvantages of applying these technologies to real-world contexts.
2. Evaluate and frame the core challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, articulating their potential impact from business, societal, and sustainability perspectives to establish a focused area for innovation.
3. Generate and explore creative concepts for how emerging technologies might address identified needs or challenges, drawing connections between personal and professional interests and opportunities for transformative application.

4. Create a practical demonstration and presentation that embodies the chosen innovation, translating conceptual ideas into tangible or experiential outcomes that illustrate potential value and feasibility.

5. Critically evaluate the ethical and real-world implications of the chosen evolving media or technology, reflecting on feedback and assessing its impact, relevance, and responsibility within the broader technological and creative landscape.

This module is designed to provide learners with the support and tuition to pursue independent research and writing leading to specialist knowledge on a selected topic within their Media discipline. On completion of this module students should have an understanding of the theory, concepts, sources and methods pertaining to a selected field of Media that they have chosen for the purposes of compiling a 7,500-word long dissertation based on original research.

1. Develope an understanding of the theory, concepts, sources and methods pertaining to a selected field of mediathat they have chosen for the purposes of compiling a 7,500-word long dissertation.

2. Acquire a detailed knowledge and understanding in a specialised area of Media, relevant to their programme and electives.

3. Possess the kind of knowledge required to design, execute and complete an independent written piece of Media research using both primary and secondary sources.

4. Appraise literature across the various disciplines concerned with their Media research topic.

5. Differentiate between both descriptive and analytical techniques and apply towritten narratives, and comprehend many practical and organisational problems associated with conducting independent work.

6. Act effectively under guidance in a peer relationship with their dissertation supervisor.

7. Defend research findings to a panel in a VIVA. This will provide them with an intellectual opportunity to verbally and graphically explain the rationale behind their choice of dissertation topic, the methodologies of their investigation, their key research findings, and the validity of their conclusions and recommendations. Oral discussion of the work will also enable the panel to evaluate the students overall grasp of the issues raised in the dissertation, and to gauge their understanding of any limitations over the nature and scope of the research undertaken.

Major Media Project is a practice-based module simulating a contemporary, team-led media newsroom focused on the end-to-end development, production, and publication of a live, public-facing media project across multiple formats and platforms. Working in defined editorial and production roles, students research and represent complex issues and under-represented perspectives, producing publishable written, audio, visual, and digital content to professional standards on a dedicated site or equivalent distribution channel.

The module emphasises ethical frameworks, public accountability, audience engagement, and collaborative workflows, foregrounding the social role of media while developing advanced technical, editorial, and interpersonal competencies required for large-scale media production.

1. Identify, scope, and justify project topics of clear public relevance and social importance, articulating editorial intent and impact criteria for a major media production
2. Plan and execute primary and secondary research, synthesising findings into multi-format outputs (text, audio, visual, interactive) suitable for public publication
3. Apply ethical principles and regulatory guidelines to reporting, production, and publishing decisions, demonstrating accountability to sources, subjects, and audience
4. Design, build, and maintain a public-facing project presence (e.g., website), including uploading, formatting, proofing, content management, metrics literacy, and audience engagement strategies
5. Collaborate effectively in defined roles within a multidisciplinary team, communicating, giving and receiving critique, and reflecting on processes to deliver a coherent major project to deadline