StudyQA — Master: Media and the Middle East — School of Oriental and African Studies (Page 14)

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Description Contents Requirements

Students seeking a more critical and richer knowledge and understanding of the relationship between communications, culture, politics and society in the changing Middle East

This degree takes up the study of the relationship between politics, culture and communication in the Middle East through two inter-related approaches, the first thematic and the second through comparative analyses of case studies. This relationship is more pertinent to address and critique particularly in the context of the ongoing uprisings and protests in diverse parts of the Middle East. These protests which are taking place in diverse spaces of expression, including media spaces, have posed challenges to conventional theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding the Middle East and its peoples. While much has been said about the formal political outcomes and machinations of these protests, and about their meaning, there remains a serious gap in the theorization and study of the mediation of political, cultural and social life.

As a starting point, the degree draws on theoretical approaches central to the study of culture, politics and communication, as well as theoretical frameworks used in other disciplines, to critically assess the continuously changing media and cultural landscape in the Middle East and interrogate the relationship between media, cultural production and politics. Given the fluid situation in most countries of the Middle East, the degree will critically examine different aspects of these changes, explore diverse perspectives and link them to specific case studies in order to encourage new ways of thinking and understanding the region that move out of Euro-centric debates and approaches that have resulted in vague generalizations and imaginations of the region as a coherent, self-sealed and self-explanatory space.

The programme also provides the basis from which students may proceed to (MPhil/PhD) graduate research.

This course takes up the study of the relationship between politics, culture and communication in the Middle East through two inter-related approaches, the first thematic and the second through comparative analyses of case studies, particularly in the context of the ongoing Arab uprisings which pose challenges to conventional theoretical and methodological approaches to understanding change, movement and politics in the region. As a starting point, the course draws on theoretical approaches central to the study of culture, politics and communication, as well as theoretical frameworks used in other disciplines, to critically assess the continuously changing media and cultural landscape in the Middle East and interrogate the relationship between media, cultural production and politics. Given the fluid situation in most countries of the Middle East, we will examine different aspects of these changes in the weekly seminar sessions to encourage new ways of thinking and understanding the region. The approach balances critical theoretical analysis of the hegemony implied by various paradigms with practical issues surrounding the use of media, including digital technologies.

Students must take the equivalent of 4 units.

Two Compulsory Units

Communication, Culture and Politics in the Middle East: Theoretical and Analytical Approaches - 15PMSC005 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Dissertation in Media and the Middle East - 15PMSC996 (1 Unit) - Full Year

At least two half-units from the range of options in the Centre for Media and Film Studies

Emerging digital cultures in Asia and Africa - Theory and Practice - 15PMSH018 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
International Political Communication - 15PMSH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
The Transnational News Environment: Production, Representation and Use - 15PMSH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Transnational Communities and Diasporic Media:Networking, Connectivity, Identity - 15PMSH004 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Theoretical Issues in Media and Cultural Studies - 15PMSH005 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Studies in Global Media and Post-National Communication - 15PMSH007 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Media Production Skills - 15PANH050 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Studies in Media, Information Communication Technologies and Development - 15PMSH019 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Critical Approaches to the Study of Regional Cinemas - 15PMSH008 (0.5 Unit) - Full Year
Iranian Cinema - 15PMSH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Arab Cinemas - 15PMSH013 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Up to two half units or one full unit from approved options from other departments of the school

Options available in Cinemas of Asia and Africa

Japanese Post-war Film Genres and the Avant-garde - 15PMSH001 (0.5 Unit)
Japanese Television since 1953 - 15PJKC006 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Genders and Sexualities in South East Asian Film - 15PSEH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
(Post) Colonialism and Otherness in South East Asia on Screen - 15PSEH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
Indian Cinema: Its History and Social Context - 15PSAH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Indian Cinema: Key Issues - 15PSAH002 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Critical Approaches to the Study of Regional Cinemas - 15PMSH008 (0.5 Unit) - Full Year

Options available in Department of Anthropology

Anthropology of Development - 15PANC090 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Anthropology of Urban Space, Place and Architecture - 15PANH029 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2 - Not Running 2013/2014
Culture and Society of the Near & Middle East - 15PANC097 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Perspectives On Development - 15PANH033 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

Options available in the Department of Politics

Islam and politics - 15PPOH006 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Political violence - 15PPOH009 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
State and transformation in the Middle East - 15PPOH011 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2

Options available in Department of Development Studies

Aid and development - 15PDSH027 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Civil society, social movements and the development process - 15PDSH001 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Gender and development - 15PDSH010 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1

Options available in Comparative Literature and Gender

Theory and techniques of Comparative Literature - 15PCSC002 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Postcolonial Theory and Practice - 15PCSC003 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Modern Arabic Literature and the West - 15PNMC002 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Options available in the Department of Music

Music in Development - 15PMUC034 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Options available in the Study of Religions and in History of Art

Approaches to Critical Interpretation & Aesthetic Theories - 15PARC004 (1 Unit) - Full Year - Not Running 2013/2014
Arts and Society in sub-Saharan Africa - 15PARH052 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Diaspora Contexts and Visual Culture - 15PARH042 (0.5 Unit) - Term 2
Representing Conflict: A Cross-Cultural and Inter Disciplinary Approach - 15PARH039 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1
Critical Theory and the Study of Religions - 15PSRC037 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Jewishness on Screen - 15PSRH044 (0.5 Unit) - Term 1 - Not Running 2013/2014
Photography and the Image in Africa; and other Regional Perspectives - 15PARC036 (1.0 Unit) - Not Running 2013/14

Options available in the Department of Economics

For the following courses a background is required - admission is on a case-by-case basis

The economic development of South East Asia - 15PECC004 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Economic problems and policies in modern China - 15PECC035 (1 Unit) - Full Year
Economic dynamics of the Asia-Pacific region - 15PECC334 (1 Unit) - Full Year

Applicants should have a first or good second class honours bachelors degree from a UK university, or equivalent, in a subject appropriate to that of the programme to be followed. As an approximate comparison, an equivalent BA from a US university would have a Grade Point Average of either 3.3 or 3.5 depending on the awarding university. If an applicant does not have a bachelors degree in an appropriate field s/he may be required to complete a qualifying year or a one year diploma before entering the masters programme. Relevant work experience may also be taken into consideration. Individual courses may have specific entry requirements, so you are advised to consult the postgraduate prospectus for further information. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 7 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 80 (Grade A) IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.