Program Description
Modern media is becoming more and more influential in every aspect of our society, from politics and economics to the way we communicate with our closest friends. The way language is used varies for different media, but you can also look at how language reflects society, and how it changes over time.
This BA English Language and Media degree introduces students to the scientific study of the English Language and allows them to examine human communication in different media contexts. Students will explore the theory, historical contexts and modern practices that make up our global media landscape. Students will examine the emergence of new media in an increasingly media-centric world, discovering the different ways the media communicates, how its industries are connected and how it influences us as individuals and societies.
In the first year students will be introduced to media communications in general as well as consider the relationship between media and society alongside core English Language modules. They’ll also explore the diversity of use of the English language including regional variants, pidgin and creole English, language and ethnicity, and slang and street English.
Core modules in the second year focus on English grammar and the sounds of English. Students can explore theories of how and why language developed and study language-related real-life problems such as plagiarism and crime investigation in forensic linguistics. Students will develop an in-depth knowledge of specialist areas such as public relations, advertising and digital media, as well as broader transferable skills like the ability to critically analyse media content.
In their final year students can follow modules in different topics, including child language and communication, clinical linguistics, gender and language, and formulaic language, informed by academics’ own research specialisms. Students will also have opportunities to work with fellow students to create media products, go on a work placement, hear from industry speakers and build a network of contacts.
