Jump to Content

Global Media (Subject)

The Discipline of Journalism and Communications is delighted to introduce Global Media as a new subject in GY101 BA (Joint Honours).

Subject Overview

The Global Media subject within GY101 BA Arts is an exciting new subject being launched by NUI Galway in 2021. The subject aims to give you a robust and challenging university experience, introducing you to a range of areas such as interactive web media, data, media production, journalism and film studies. It will also give you a critical understanding of the changing global media environment and an insight into the role of the media in a globalised world. Various modules will also examine how society exchanges information through communication in democratic societies, as placed within historical and theoretically-grounded contexts.

With platform convergence, and a dissolving of the walls between information and entertainment media, the study of media and communication – in particular with a focus on international issues such as social media; globalisation; populism; digital literacy; data; verification and mis-information – has resonance with university applicants interested in undergraduate degree programmes with a focus on the media and communication studies.

Galway has a vibrant media sector both on-campus and off-campus with strong media production, film and television companies based in the West of Ireland as well as a student run radio station, Flirt FM, on campus.

At the end of first year, you will have the opportunity to transfer into BA Global Media (GY135) if you choose, and continue your studies as part of the four year denominated degree. Places are limited and will be awarded based on first year results.

Your Subject Year by Year

You will study Global Media alongside another Arts subject and you will be able to tailor your exit options depending on subject choice.

You will undertake a set of core modules each year and you will be able to choose elective options in journalism and media production; interactive web media; or film studies. Quotas apply for elective choices.

Year one (20 credits)

· AJ1100 History of Media

· AJ1104 Digital Literacy Essentials

· AJ1102 Introduction to Media and Communication

· AJ1106 Pop Culture, Media and Society

Year two (30 credits)

· AJ2102 Power without Responsibility

· AJ2100 Online and Social Media: Theory and Practice

· AJ2109 Understanding Media Audiences

· AJ2110 How Television Lobotomised the World

· AJ2112 Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics

· AJ2116 The Media and Migration

Elective modules in film studies available, subject to availability

Elective modules in Cumarsáid, subject to taking Gaeilge as second Arts subject

Year Three (30 credits)

· AJ4100 We Need To Talk about Gender, Identity, Race and Sex

· AJ4102 Global Political Economy of the Mass Media

· AJ4103 The Contemporary Irish Media: Policy, Politics and Practice since 1922

· AJ4105 Media Law and Ethics

· AJ4106 Media Research Methods

· AJ4107 Independent Research Project (subject to 2.1 average grades)

Elective modules in film studies available, subject to availability

Elective modules in Cumarsáid, subject to taking Gaeilge as second Arts subjectAssessment will be via a combination of continuous assessment and project work. You may be required to undertake written exams in other Arts modules. Students spend an average of 40 hours a week attending lectures, tutorials and practical classes, and undertaking independent study.

Further Education

You’ll be qualified to undertake further study in a range of MA programmes at NUI Galway, including:

• MA (Journalism)

• MA (Global Media and Communication)

• MA (Film Studies)

Career opportunities

On graduating you’ll be ready to work in a range of media-related roles including in journalism; television and film production; tech companies; the civil and public service; NGOs; marketing and communications; and a wide range of other areas.