UG Prospectus 2021 UG Prospectus 2019 | Page 144

Delivered by academics who are recognised nationally and internationally, this course has a particular emphasis on the way in which media and PR are influenced, and provides you with practical experience and a study abroad opportunity*. BA/BA (Hons) Public Relations and Media Public relations is the discipline which looks after reputation, with the aim of earning understanding and support and influencing opinion and behaviour. It is the planned and sustained effort to establish and maintain goodwill and mutual understanding between an organisation and its publics. The media plays a vital role in setting the agenda in today’s society and therefore is a key stakeholder for an organisation. This course focuses on the expanding role of PR within the corporate, public and voluntary sectors, with particular emphasis on the way in which media and PR are interlinked as institutions and practices. This professionally relevant course is continually adapted to meet the changing needs of students, employers and society. This flexible, accessible and responsive approach ensures that you will benefit from the latest research, technology and industry practices. In Year One key concepts within both disciplines are covered and essential practical skills developed. You will study a range of modules which look at the history of PR as well as engaging with contemporary practice, particularly how PR works with traditional and new media. This knowledge informs the development of professional skills. Modules in Year Two extend the knowledge of professional practices in public relations and build on media production skills. Within PR, we consider how organisations communicate with their employees and external stakeholders through the media. This relationship between media and public relations is examined further in the context of the role the media play in democratic society. Students also learn to take an integrated approach to communications bringing areas of PR, marketing and events management together in practice in a module where they plan, promote, deliver and evaluate an event for a client. Year Three offers an opportunity to develop public relations knowledge using concepts of strategy and persuasion. Research skills are strengthened and preparation begins for conducting an extensive research project which is undertaken in the final year dissertation. In Year Four, you are encouraged to work more independently, develop critical skills and follow your own area of interest. This will happen by working on the dissertation research project, choosing public relations and media options. Invaluable practical experience is gained through a PR work placement. Structure Year One modules Introduction to PR/ Media Relations/ Online PR: Platforms and Practices/ Media Production/ Introduction to Media Studies/ Media Industries Year Two modules Media Campaigning/ Employee Communication and Dealing with Change/ Critical Thinking and Rhetoric/ Media Production/ Media and Democracy/ Event Management and Evaluation Year Three modules Public Relations Theory and Strategy/ Persuasive Communication/ PR Research/ Media, Culture and Society/ plus options Year Four modules You can opt to study for an honours degree over four years or an ordinary degree over three years. You will complete a range of modules each year as outlined. Teaching, learning and assessment Please see the course entry on our website (see URL on opposite page) for full details of the learning, teaching and assessment activities for this course. Also check out the ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’ section on pages 8-11. 142 Professional Communication Placement/ Dissertation/ plus options including: PR and Activism or International PR The modules listed here are correct at time of print (Feb 2018). This course is likely to undergo revalidation in 2018 which will result in some changes to the content. Please check the website for any updates. *Subject to availability