MSc Student Handbook - 2017/18 lse.ac.uk/media@lse
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MSc Student Handbook 2017/18 lse.ac.uk/media@lse
TERM DATES AND SCHOOL CLOSURES ACADEMIC YEAR 2017/18 Michaelmas Term Thursday 21 September – Friday 8 December* Lent Term Tuesday 8 January – Friday 23 March** Summer Term Monday 23 April – Friday 8 June *The School will be closed for the Christmas vacation from 21 December 2017 – 2 January 2018. **The School will be closed for the Easter vacation from 13-19 April 2018.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT
Dear Students,
Welcome to the Department of Media and Communications! You
start your studies in the media and communications field at an
exciting time. The media, communications and digital environment
is transforming rapidly, globally and locally, and the online world is
reaching ever more deeply into our daily lives. This is creating new
opportunities, but also presenting challenges – political, ethical, social,
cultural and economic.
During your programme of study with us at the LSE you will
encounter new ideas about the nature and importance of the media
and communications in contemporary societies. We hope you will
find inspiration and, because you bring a wealth of experience from
around the world, we very much look forward to learning from you.
The Department was established in 2003. Our research is
interdisciplinary and we draw on theories and methods from across
the social sciences and humanities, applying these to the media, old
and new, and to a variety of forms of communication. This approach
also informs our teaching and you will see it reflected in the range and
content of our courses.
The Department’s mission is to provide a high-quality graduate
education in the field of media and communications, to help you
develop your knowledge and expertise and, by the end of your
programme, to enable you to conduct your own independent
research. London is a wonderful setting for your studies with
valuable professional, educational and research benefits due to
our proximity to media and communication public, private and third
sector organisations.
Our think-tank, Polis, offers events connecting your studies with
journalism practice and our Media Policy Project offers events linking
the Department to the UK and international policy communities. We
will be warmly welcoming you to their events and to many public
lectures and seminars.
With my academic colleagues, Catherine Bennett, our Department
Manager, and the Department’s professional services team, I wish you
a very rewarding year!
Professor Robin Mansell
Head of Department
1
CONTENTS
KEY INFORMATION 5 3 MSc PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
1.1 Where We Are 5 and FEEDBACK 14
3.1 Programme Learning and Feedback 14
1.2 How to get in touch and give feedback 5
Contacting Professional Service Staff 5 3.2 Formative assessment 14
Contacting Academic Staff for Advice and Guidance 5 Formative Assessment Task 14
Academic Advisers/Supervisors 5 Formative Coursework Submission Instructions 15
Student/Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) 6 Formative Assessment Feedback 15
Student Suggestions and Concerns 6
3.3 Summative Assessment 15
Attendance/Absence 6
Summative Coursework 15
Communicating With You 6
Word limits and word counts for summative
Requesting Written References for
essay coursework 15
Employment/Further Study 7
Submission procedures for summative coursework 16
1.3 S chool Wide Procedures for Quality Assurance Coversheets/Plagiarism Declarations 16
and Management 7 Format/Binding 16
Extensions and Penalties for Late Submission
1.4 IT resources for LSE students 8
of Summative Coursework 16
Moodle 8
Provisional Grades and Feedback for
LSE for You 9
Summative Assessments 17
Timetables 9
Preparation for Examinations 17
1.5 Resources for Department of Media and Guidelines for Essay Writing 18
Communications Students 9
3.4 Avoiding Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty 18
Media Policy Project (MPP) 9
LSE Policy 18
Polis 9
LSE Statement on Editorial Help for Students’
Study Skills Workshops (MC499.2) 9
Written Work 18
Departmental Guidelines 19
2 THE DEPARTMENT’S MSc PROGRAMMES
Self-plagiarism 19
and COURSES 10
2.1 MSc Programmes 10 3.5 General Guidelines for Formative and
Programme Details 10 Summative Assessment 17
Requests to Change Programmes within Time Planning 17
the Department 10 Good Practice for Citations and Referencing 20
Interruption of Studies/Withdrawal from When Should You Cite the Literature? 20
the School 10 LSE Library Resources for Academic Citation 20
Programme Structure 10 How to cite the literature using the APA
5th style guide 20
2.2 Courses 10
Additional Information about Citation
Teaching 10
and Referencing 21
Units and Courses 11
Compulsory Courses 11 3.6 Formative and Summative Assessment Criteria 22
Optional Courses 11 General Information 22
Outside Options 11 General Assessment Criteria for Coursework
Research Ethics Policy 11 and Examinations 23
Course Availability 12 Dissertation Assessment Criteria 23
Course Registration 12
Courses in Other Departments 13
Auditing Courses 13
2
4 FORMAL ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
and REGULATIONS 24
4.1 Candidate Number and Marking Process 24
4.2 Examinations 24
4.3 The Role of the External Examiners 24
4.4 Formal Assessment Regulations 24
Boards of Examiners 24
Award of Degrees and Classification Scheme 24
Course Marks 25
Eligibility for award of degree 25
Rules for the calculation of the award of degree 25
4.5 Deferral, Special Examination Arrangements and
Exceptional Circumstances 26
Deferral of Coursework or Examinations 26
Disability/Dyslexia: Special Examination
Arrangements 27
Exceptional Circumstances 27
4.6 Notification of final results 27
Provisional Grades 27
Examination Boards 27
Failures and Resits 27
Appeals 28
General School and Programme Regulations 28
Presentation Ceremonies 28
Degree Certificates 28
5 LSE SERVICES and RESOURCES for STUDENTS 29
Services and People Who Can Offer Advice 29
Student Services Centre 30
Health and Well-being 30
Annex - Key Dates 2017-18 31
33
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
For more detailed information about events, consult the Department of Media
and Communications website.
KEY ACADEMIC STAFF
Head of Department Professor Robin Mansell
Deputy Head of Department Dr Bingchun Meng
Director of Graduate Studies Dr Shakuntala Banaji
Exam Board Chair Dr Shani Orgad
Programme Director, MSc Global Media and Dr Bingchun Meng
Communications (Fudan)
Programme Director, MSc Global Media and Dr Wendy Willems
Communications (UCT)
Programme Director, MSc Global Media and Professor Terhi Rantanen
Communications (USC)
Programme Director, MSc Media and Communications Dr Bart Cammaerts (MT),
and MSc Media and Communications (Research Track) Dr Omar Al-Ghazzi (LT/ST)
Dr Jean-Christophe Plantin (Research Track)
Programme Director, MSc Media and Communications Dr Seeta Gangadharan
(Media and Communication Governance)
Programme Director, MSc Media and Communications Dr Alison Powell (MT )
(Data and Society) Dr Jean-Christophe Plantin (LT/ST)
Programme Director, MSc Media, Communication Dr Shakuntala Banaji
and Development
Programme Director, MSc Politics and Communication Dr Nick Anstead
Programme Director, MSc Strategic Communications Dr Lee Edwards
Programme Director, MPhil/PhD Professor Sonia Livingstone
Director of Polis, Director of Media Policy Project Professor Charlie Beckett
See website for full contact details of all staff.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE STAFF
Department Manager Catherine Bennett
MSc Programmes Manager (Regulations Sylvia Ibezi
and Assessment)
MSc Programmes Manager (Teaching Delivery) Nicole Garnier
Departmental Research Manager James Deeley
Departmental Administrator Lwam Tesfay
Events Manager and Polis Executive Michael Etheridge
4
1. KEY INFORMATION
1.1 WHERE WE ARE 1.2 HOW TO GET IN TOUCH
We are on the 6th floor of Tower 2, and
AND GIVE FEEDBACK
the 7th floor of Tower 2 and Tower 3.
Contact details:
CONTACTING PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE STAFF
Department of Media and Communications
London School of Economics and The Department’s administration is based
Political Science Houghton Street London in TW2.601.J, and is open to queries from
WC2A 2AE students all year round.
The Departmental Student Common
Room (TW2.601.I on the 6th floor of CONTACTING ACADEMIC
Tower 2) is for use by students registered on
Media and Communications programmes. STAFF FOR ADVICE AND
The Departmental kitchens (TW2.602 and GUIDANCE
TW2.702) are available to all MSc students
from the department. Academic staff can be contacted during
Feedback and Advice Sessions (drop- in
sessions and bookable meetings). Use the
FORMAL TEACHING ‘Office Hours’ link on LSE For You (LFY) to
book Feedback and Advice Sessions.
Formal teaching is usually completed by the You may drop in without booking an
end of the Lent Term. Examinations for MC appointment during drop-in sessions.
courses taken in both terms will normally Academic staff do not hold Feedback and
be held during May and June. Some Advice sessions during reading weeks or
departments hold examinations outside term- time. Feedback and Advice
sessions for all members of staff are
in January. Supervision of dissertations
displayed on their doors and on the notice
takes place throughout all teaching terms,
board next to the Departmental Student
including Summer Term. The remaining
Common Room.
months of the degree are used by students
to work independently on completing Messages can also be left in the staff
their dissertation. It is not essential for pigeonholes on the 6th floor of Tower 2.
students to remain in London during the
summer break as long as the Dissertation Note that Feedback and Advice sessions,
is submitted in person or by post by the seminars and lectures should only be
deadline in August. Members of academic recorded with the explicit permission of
staff will be on research leave during the the member of staff.
Easter break and after the end of the
Summer Term and will not be available
ACADEMIC ADVISERS/
for supervision but Graduate Teaching
Assistants will be available for practical SUPERVISORS
dissertation support during this period.
At the start of Michaelmas Term (MT) each
student is assigned an Academic Adviser,
CONTACTING STAFF whose role is:
OUTSIDE TERM TIME • To provide academic guidance and
feedback on course choices, a student’s
Students should organise their workload to progress and performance and to discuss
allow time to see their Academic Adviser or any academic issues.
Supervisor during term-time, especially for
dissertation supervision during the Summer • To provide pastoral support on non-
Term. Professional service staff are available academic issues and to refer students,
all year round. as necessary, to the appropriate support
agencies within the School.
LSE closes during the Christmas and Easter
public holidays. During this time, all the • To implement the provisions outlined
Department’s offices will be closed and in Inclusion Plans (IPs) for students with
there will be minimal facilities available at disabilities in liaison with the School’s
the School. Details about which buildings Disability and Wellbeing Service.
will be open will be published online.
5
• To maintain regular contact with the and to make suggestions on issues that SSLC meeting. The Department has the
student on academic and pastoral issues affect the student body as a whole. following procedure in place for teaching
through direct one-to-one meetings, group and course specific feedback:
Dates for the termly meetings will be
supervision sessions, and other means
announced on Moodle. If students have issues with individual
of communication, such as emails. The
members of staff, they should first try
number and nature of meetings may vary Programme representatives (two per
and speak directly to this person.
between departments and programmes. programme) are chosen by students as
early in the Michaelmas Term as possible. If it is to do with the course in general or
• To inform the Programme Director and
It is up to students in each programme to you feel talking to the individual teacher
School of any student whose progress is
decide how to select these representatives, does not solve anything, speak to the
not satisfactory.
one of whom will be elected to represent Course Convenor.
Towards the end of Michaelmas Term the Department on the Taught Graduate
If it is to do with your programme,
students will be assigned a Supervisor who Students’ Consultative Forum,
speak to the Programme Director.
takes over the role of the Academic Adviser convened by the Dean of the Graduate
and in particular advises the student on School. Student representatives are If things cannot be resolved in these
their dissertation – although any member of expected to represent the whole cohort places then you can speak to the
staff can be consulted on questions related in their programme and be responsible in Director of Graduate Studies or the
to dissertation research. It is a student’s representing others’ views. Head of Department.
responsibility to make appointments to
Names and contact details of student In addition, the School has a procedure
see their Supervisor or visit during drop-in
representatives and agendas and minutes of for student concerns and complaints.
Feedback and Advice Sessions.
SSLC meetings will be published on Moodle. Should you decide to express a concern
Academic Advisers will hold start-of- year or pursue a complaint outside the
group meetings for all advisees. Department, we ask that you also inform
STUDENT SUGGESTIONS the Head of Department so that she is
Students should regard their Adviser/
Supervisor1 as the first port of call in relation
AND CONCERNS aware of any problems.
to academic and welfare matters. Any issues We hope that you enjoy your studies in
not resolved with your Supervisor can be the Department, and that you are pleased ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE
taken to your Programme Director, the with the teaching and other forms of
Director of Graduate Studies or ultimately to support that you receive. However, if you Students are required to attend the School
the Head of Department. If the relationship have any suggestions or concerns, we for the full duration of each term. Students
between a student and their Supervisor aim to respond to these constructively who wish to be away for good reasons in
is not satisfactory, a change of Supervisor and address any problems as promptly as term-time must first obtain the consent
may be requested through the student’s possible. Specifically, if you have a concern of their Supervisor. Students away due
Programme Director. If the Programme about your programme or any aspect of the to illness or other reasons must inform
Director is the student’s Supervisor, then the Department’s activities, you are invited to their supervisor and seminar teachers
student can request a change through the raise this as early as possible with any of and, where the absence is for more than
Director of Graduate Studies. the following: two weeks, the Student Services Centre.
Programme directors also offer advice Students are required to attend seminars
• The relevant course teacher or and attendance will be recorded in LFY on a
and support on course choice and other course convenor
programme related matters. weekly basis. Supervisors have an overview
• Your Programme Director of the seminar attendance registers in LFY
and will follow up if you are not attending
• The Director of Graduate Studies
STUDENT/STAFF LIAISON regularly. In particular, you should note the
attendance requirements placed on you by
COMMITTEE (SSLC) • T he elected student representatives for
your funding body and/or your visa status.
your programme (see section above on
The Department of Media and Student/Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC))
Communications has an MSc Student/Staff
Liaison Committee (SSLC), which comprises
• The Department Manager COMMUNICATING WITH YOU
representatives from each of the MSc • The Head of Department The School and the Department will use
programmes. This committee meets each your LSE email address to communicate
Departmental practices for giving feedback
term to provide a forum for students to with you so you should check it regularly.
on teaching are explained during the first
discuss courses and programmes with staff
1 In the rest of this document the term Supervisor will be used to refer to both Academic Advisers and Supervisors unless the issue discussed explicitly refers to academic advisers
6
If you change your term-time or permanent • Make sure that you have filled out your assessment. They also set out
home address and/or telephone number, part of any form you submit. your responsibilities, ie, what the
you must update your personal contact School expects of you.
• State clearly what you would like your
details online via LFY. It is essential that you
referee to do with the reference once
keep these details up to date. Your address
written, eg, either send it off directly (you QUALITY ASSURANCE
is protected information and will not be
should provide an email or postal address)
disclosed to a third party without your
or leave it for you to collect. The Academic and Student Affairs
permission unless it is for reasons of official
School business. Committee (ASC) is responsible for quality
• Once someone agrees to be a referee,
assurance and enhancement. One of
they have an obligation to do the job on
the ways it discharges this responsibility
time. Inevitably, busy people writing scores
REQUESTING WRITTEN of references sometimes forget, so gentle
is by reviewing academic departments.
These are known as ‘ASC reviews’. They
REFERENCES FOR reminders are worthwhile.
take place about every five years for
EMPLOYMENT/ each department. Review teams identify
FURTHER STUDY 1.3 SCHOOL WIDE examples of good practice in departments
and share them across the School. They
During the year, and/or after you have PROCEDURES FOR also flag any concerns about standards and
left LSE, you may need to request QUALITY ASSURANCE make recommendations to departments for
references in support of applications AND MANAGEMENT addressing them. The Department’s most
for employment or further study. Your recent ASC Review was in 2016 when the
Supervisor is the first person to whom Department was strongly commended for
you should address a reference request, CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE: its MSc teaching.
following these guidelines:
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASC is serviced by the Teaching Quality
• Use the Reference Request Form ASSESSMENT Assurance and Review Office (TQARO).
(See Departmental Moodle site). This office is responsible for supporting the
• Please allow ten working days for your The Code of Good Practice for Taught School’s quality assurance infrastructure.
referee to write the reference. Master’s Programmes explains the basic This includes acting as the School’s point of
reciprocal obligations and responsibilities of contact with the Quality Assurance Agency,
• Please do not give someone’s name as a staff and students. They set out what you a national body that safeguards quality and
referee without asking them in advance. can expect from your Department – and standards in UK higher education.
• Provide all the information needed to what Departments are expected to provide
help your referee write the reference, – in relation to the teaching and learning
for example your coursework grades, experience. The Code covers areas like the
CV, scholarships awarded, internships roles and responsibilities of Supervisors and
undertaken and information on the post/ MSc Programme Directors; the structure of
course for which you are applying. teaching at the School; examinations and
7
STUDENT CHARTER students irrespective of their age, gender, For further advice or information, please
disability, race, nationality, ethnic or national visit the School’s Equity, Diversity and
“This Charter has been written by LSE origin, religion, sexual orientation or personal Inclusion webpages.
students and staff with the aim of circumstances. The School has developed an
introducing you to the School community. overarching Single Equality Scheme as the
It sets out how LSE’s mission and ethos main School strategy on Equity, Diversity and DISRUPTIVE INCIDENTS
are reflected in the education you can Inclusion. The scheme sets out a commitment
expect to receive here, and in the diverse, to ensure policies and procedures comply with The School has strategies for potential
equitable and inclusive community that the law, and that services reflect the diverse disruptive incidents, these are concerned with:
all students and staff can take pride in, needs of staff, students and visitors. LSE sees • Planning to ensure that the School runs
contribute to, and value. It is not a contract it as its duty to: as normally as possible during known or
and should therefore be read in conjunction predicted major events and occurrences and
• Eliminate discrimination, harassment
with the School’s formal policies and predicted pandemics such as flu;
and victimisation,
procedures, which include details of the
institution’s and students’ obligations and • Advance equality of opportunity • Planning the School’s response to and
disciplinary sanctions that can apply when and foster good relations between recovery from the impact of possible major
they are breached.” (taken from Student diverse groups incidents causing the loss of access to the
Charter 2017). site (such as a bomb threat), or a major loss
In response to the duty, the School of infrastructure or facilities (such as power
has developed an overarching set of failures, IT outages);
STUDENT SATISFACTION Equality objectives.
• Managing less serious occurrences and
SURVEYS In practice, this means we will expect events which may adversely affect the work
students and staff to: of the School, such as adverse weather
The Teaching Quality Assurance and conditions or disruption to travel from the
Review Office (TQARO) conducts two • Actively oppose all forms of
weather or other causes such as industrial
School-wide surveys each year to assess discrimination and harassment;
disputes. These occur from time to time
students’ opinions of teaching, one in • Reflect on prejudices, including and we do all we can to keep the School
each of the Michaelmas and Lent Terms. examining the use of inappropriate running and keep you informed about what
They give students the opportunity to language and behaviour; action is being taken.
give feedback on their lectures and class/
seminar teaching. They provide lecturers • Strive to create an environment in The main method of communication with
and teachers with important information which student goals may be pursued students and staff during all disruptive
about the perceived quality of their without fear or intimidation; incidents is the LSE website and it is
teaching, and the School with a measure therefore important that you check the
• Not victimise any student who has
of general teaching standards. They are website regularly.
complained, or who has given information
conducted via questionnaires distributed in connection with such a complaint;
during classes and lectures.
• Challenge and/or report unacceptable 1.4 IT RESOURCES FOR
Teaching scores are made available to behaviour which is contrary to equality LSE STUDENTS
individual teachers, heads of departments, legislation and principles;
course convenors, the Director of the
Teaching and Learning Centre and Pro- • Treat all peers fairly and with respect;
Director (Teaching and Learning). In addition
MOODLE
• Foster an inclusive environment for all
to producing reports for individual teachers, students to access opportunities, and Moodle is LSE’s virtual learning
TQARO produces aggregated quantitative participate fully in the learning process; environment. It is a web environment that
data for departments and the School, which contains a range of teaching resources,
provide important performance indicators. • Equip students with the skills, concepts
activities, assignments, information and
and values which enable them to challenge
Please do not wait until the student discussions for courses. The content of
inequality and injustice in their future work;
satisfaction surveys to give feedback on Moodle is the responsibility of the teacher
teaching, bring up constructive feedback • Ensure that learning or any other materials and so it will vary from course to course.
as early as possible! do not discriminate against any individuals You can access Moodle from any device
or groups; connected to the internet, on and off
campus. Go to moodle.lse.ac.uk/ and use
• Ensure that learning resources are equally
EQUITY, DIVERSITY AND accessible by all students.
your LSE user name and password to log
INCLUSION AT LSE in. This page also has links to help/ advice
Within the Department of Media and on using Moodle. If you have any technical
The School is committed to ensuring equal Communications students with concerns problems with Moodle you should contact
access, treatment and opportunity for all relation to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion the helpdesk at it.helpdesk@lse.ac.uk
should contact Catherine Bennett.
8You must subscribe to Moodle and join 1.5 RESOURCES FOR MEDIA POLICY PROJECT
the course area for courses that you are
taking. You may choose also to join the
DEPARTMENT OF MEDIA (MPP)
Moodle area for LSE courses which you AND COMMUNICATIONS The Media Policy Project (MPP) is a
wish to audit or are interested in. You STUDENTS research and stakeholder engagement hub
will automatically be enrolled for the managed by Polis for the Department of
Department’s general Moodle area. Media and Communications at LSE. The
In Moodle courses you will find direct
POLIS MPP’s goal is to start conversations between
access to some readings covered by the policy makers, civil society actors,
Polis is the journalism think tank and media professionals about the latest
School’s Higher Education Photocopying based in the Department of Media and
and Scanning Licence. Access to other media research. MPP provides tools for
Communications, with the mission to: anyone looking to stay up- to-date on
readings for courses is provided through
the LSE Library to online journals, e-books • Provide a forum for public debate on key media policy issues, though our briefings,
and other resources. Publishers impose issues in journalism. event calendars, dossiers, and lists of on-
restrictions on printing in some cases. going consultations.
• Provide a space where practitioners and
Copyright laws do not allow us to supply academic researchers can deliberate the Our students have been working with
printed course packs as well as online impact of mediation and journalism in our MPP on organising events, writing and
versions of the same items. societies. moderating blogs, and helping form current
In addition to Moodle subscription you debate and research as project assistants.
Polis hosts regular guest speakers,
must register for all of your courses on publishes research reports, runs a blog For more information look at the blog or
LSE For You. and social media to foster a lively debate follow MPP on twitter @LSEMediaPolicy.
around the most topical issues in media and
journalism. The director Charlie Beckett is a
LSE FOR YOU STUDY SKILLS WORKSHOPS
professor in the Department and a regular
LSE For You is a personalised web portal commentator on journalism. (MC499.2)
which gives you access to a range of Work experience: At the beginning The department offers optional
services. For example, you can: of each academic year Polis recruits a study skills workshops taught by
• view or change your personal details number of MSc students for unpaid work Graduate Teaching Assistants who are
experience placements to manage our PhD researchers in the Department. These
• monitor and pay your tuition fees online social media channels. There are also sessions are designed for students from a
• register for courses opportunities to write for the Polis blog, range of academic backgrounds and focus
and ad hoc research assistant on skills and knowledge that will help you
• sign up for seminar groups
Media and Communications in Action succeed in your study and future careers.
• book Feedback and Advice sessions with Talks (MC408): This is a speaker series The workshops are also an opportunity to
academic staff combining theory and practice, hosted as develop research skills in preparation for
part of MC408 Theories and Concepts in work on your original project.
• view exam timetable and provisional marks
Media and Communications, and organised These sessions are available throughout
• access a wide range of resources (on by the Director of Polis, Professor Charlie the year only to students registered on MSc
accommodation, fees, study rooms etc) Beckett. It is not assessed, but attendance programmes in the Department. Details of
You can also access online tutorials on is compulsory. Speakers include a mix of how to sign up are available on Moodle and
how to navigate and personalise LSE practitioners, regulators, journalists, and the sessions are timetabled with the same
For You via its login page. Use your LSE other media professionals. See Moodle, and code as the Dissertation (MC499). Places
network username and password to login the School’s timetable for MC408. are limited and are allocated on a first
via lse.ac.uk/lseforyou Follow Polis at @PolisLSE come, first served basis.
Additional workshops are organised
TIMETABLES by LSE Life.
Timetables for all courses and teachers
are available on the LSE website, listed
according to course code. The Department
cannot provide you with an individual
timetable and students are responsible for
keeping an eye their own timetable on
LSEForYOU and timetables pages
92. THE DEPARTMENT’S MSC
PROGRAMMES AND COURSES
2.1 MSC PROGRAMMES will be granted on an exceptional basis TEACHING
as students are not normally expected to
MSc Global Media and change programmes.
Communications (Fudan) TEACHING HOURS
MSc Global Media and INTERRUPTION OF Most half unit courses in the Department
Communications (UCT)
STUDIES/WITHDRAWAL of Media and Communications are taught
MSc Global Media and FROM THE SCHOOL as a weekly lecture (1 hour) and a weekly
Communications (USC) seminar (1 hour), thus two hours for each
Students who wish to interrupt their studies half unit course. Check the Calendar entry
MSc Media and Communications
(with the approval of their department) or for each course for further details, and
MSc Media and Communications decide to withdraw from the School must for information on courses outside this
(Data and Society) inform their Supervisor, the Programme department. Friday is a research day for
Director and the Student Services Centre most Department faculty. A few faculty
MSc Media and Communications (Media
in writing by email. Failure to inform the members teach on Friday and therefore
and Communication Governance)
School could result in a demand for fee take Monday as a research day. Students
MSc Media and Communications payments for the full session. More detail should generally not expect responses to
(Research) at: lse.ac.uk/registration communications from faculty on research
days, or at weekends. The Department’s
MSc Media, Communication
Professional Services staff are available on
and Development PROGRAMME STRUCTURE all working days.
MSc Politics and Communication
All the MSc programmes offered by
MSc Strategic Communications the Department, with the exception of LECTURES, SEMINARS (OR
the two-year MSc Global Media and
CLASSES) AND WORKSHOPS
Communications, run for a year through to
PROGRAMME DETAILS submission of the dissertation in August. Teaching for each course normally consists
All programmes except for the MSc Global of lectures and seminars (plus computer
Programmes and courses in the Department
Media and Communications and the MSc classes and workshops for Methods
of Media and Communications are
Strategic Communications can be taken courses). Students are allocated into smaller
theoretical in nature, informed by the
part-time over two calendar years. groups for seminars.
intellectual and empirical insights of the
teaching staff and the academic field of Courses offered by the Department of Media
media and communications. Our courses 2.2 COURSES and Communications generally are taught
include opportunities to consider how through the combination of a weekly one-
theory and empirical research are applied hour lecture plus a weekly one hour seminar.
in particular settings, but we do not offer a This section provides essential Lectures may be delivered to large groups
sustained practical training of the kind one information for planning your of students, depending on the numbers of
might expect from, for example, a business selection of courses. students who select that course.
or journalism school. The online School Calendar Seminars normally are taught in smaller
contains official programme groups (unless special permission for larger
documentation. The information seminars has been granted by the School)
REQUESTS TO CHANGE by full-time faculty, LSE Fellows and Guest
given in the Calendar takes
PROGRAMMES WITHIN THE precedence over all other sources Teachers. MC499.2 Study Skills Workshops
DEPARTMENT and should be regarded as the are taught by appropriately trained
central point of reference: Graduate Teaching Assistants.
Exceptionally, students may be permitted
to change programmes. If you wish to Programme Regulations for each Students are required to attend regularly
transfer to an MSc programme within MSc programme. and to participate in seminars; attendance
the Department, you must complete and will be recorded. The LSE Registry will
Graduate Course Guides for all directly contact students, seminar teachers
submit the online form by 9am on Monday courses taught in the School.
of MT2. If you submit the form after this and Supervisors where there is an irregular
deadline, it may take longer to consider pattern of attendance. LFY sends out
your application and a transfer is less likely automated messages to the student, their
to be approved. teacher and their Supervisor
Students will be notified whether or not Lectures start in the first week of term
their request has been approved by email, (MT1 and LT1). Seminars start in the first
by 5pm on Thursday of MT2. Approval or second week of term (MT1 or MT2, and
LT1) – for all details check the timetable.
10UNITS AND COURSES MC4M1/2 (Advanced) Methods of as the Academic Adviser assigned when
Research: Michaelmas Term – weekly you arrive, but from the beginning of LT
Students are required to take four units to lecture (1 hour), weekly quantitative analysis the Supervisor also becomes your point of
complete an MSc programme. These are lecture (2 hours), and computer class (1 contact for your overall progress.
made up of taught courses to the value of hour); Lent Term – one revision lecture
three units and the Dissertation to the value (1 hour), an assignment support session
of one unit. Some courses are equal to one (2 hours), two workshops (6 hours) for OPTIONAL COURSES
unit; most are equal to a half unit. Each MC4M1 and 10 workshops (30hrs) and
programme has compulsory courses and a weekly quantitative analysis lecture and Students will choose option courses to
optional courses. For most courses, students computer class for those taking MC4M2. the value specified in their programme
will attend one lecture and one seminar Summer Term – one Q&A and methods regulations, selected from the lists of
each week per course in either Michaelmas assignment support session. available options. Courses are usually
Term or Lent Term. taught only once in each academic year
MC499 Dissertation: Michaelmas Term (ie, courses taught in the Michaelmas Term
Part-time students normally take courses to – group meeting with Academic Adviser. are not offered again in the Lent Term).
the value of two units in each year of study. Lent Term – two lectures (2 hours each), Consider how your option choices will
two group supervision sessions affect the balance of your workload over
(2 hours); Summer Term – group supervision the year and be realistic about what you
COMPULSORY COURSES (2 hours). Individual supervision during can do in the Michaelmas Term.
feedback and advice hours throughout
The compulsory courses are the central
Michaelmas, Lent and Summer Term.
focus of each MSc programme, providing RESEARCH ETHICS POLICY
an advanced understanding of theories, For the Dissertation, students conduct
concepts and methods in media and original research which develops Students should familiarise themselves
communications research. There are their particular interests. Full details with the LSE Research Ethics Policy. The
departmental compulsory courses that every of dissertation requirements and the School attaches considerable importance to
student has to take and, in addition, each Supervisory process are set out in the the maintenance of high ethical standards
programme has a compulsory course that Dissertation Guide issued during the in research undertaken by its staff and
is tailored to that programme and not open Michaelmas Term. More information can students. This applies to all research
to students on other programmes. be found on Moodle. undertaken by students in preparation for
At the end of Michaelmas Term, Dissertation essays and dissertations.
The compulsory departmental courses for
all MSc students in this department are Supervisors are allocated in order to You will be required to submit an ethics
taught as follows: provide the best possible match between form to your Supervisor in connection
students’ dissertation topics and academic with the Dissertation in the Lent Term.
MC408 Theories and Concepts:
staff research interests. The Dissertation Instructions are provided in the department’s
Weekly lecture (1 hour) and weekly
Supervisor may not be the same person Dissertation Guide and more information
seminar (1.5 hours),
11can be found on the MC499 and MC4M1/2 More detailed information regarding course FULL-TIME STUDENTS
Moodle pages. You need ethical approval choice can be found at: www.lse.ac.uk/
from your Supervisor for any empirical intranet/students/ registration All full time students must select courses to
work conducted as part of your MSc. TimetablesAssessment/ Registration/ the value of FOUR units only, no fewer, no
This includes the MC4M1/2 summative Course/Graduate/pgcoursechoice.aspx more. This includes compulsory courses, for
assignment, the dissertation and any other and at: lse.ac.uk/registration which students are automatically registered,
research work conducted for courses that and option courses, for which students have
MSc students are required to make
are part of your MSc. to register, to be taken in both MT and LT.
their course selection online via LFY.
Information on how to activate your You must not de-select the compulsory
COURSE AVAILABILITY LFY account can be found via the online courses for your programme.
application tracker system.
You must not de-select MC408
Media and Communications
The online course selection facility will be and MC499.
courses (MC-prefixed)
accessible during the following periods:
You must not de-select MC4M1 (or
Students in the Department can take most
Welcome Week ‘browsing’ period, MC4M2 for Research Track students).
MC-prefixed courses on offer as long as
followed by the active periods:
they are not core courses on other MSc Do not separately select MY451 or
programmes. Access to optional courses, Michaelmas Term: from MT0 to MT3 MY452 when you register as these
both within this Department and in other Quantitative Analysis courses are already
Lent Term: from LT0 until LT2
departments, is often limited. included in your compulsory courses
During the ‘browsing’ period you will MC4M1 or MC4M2.
Controlled access courses are either
be able to access the Graduate Course
‘capped’ (ie, their availability is limited by ‘Controlled Access’ Courses
Choice facility to familiarise yourself with
numbers) or ‘restricted access’ (ie, their As noted above, some courses are ‘capped’
its functionality and the options available
availability is limited by other criteria). or have ‘restricted access’ so an application
to you. However, no course selections
Students may request approval to take will have to be made to the person teaching
will be saved during this period. If you are
controlled access courses through LSE For the course before it can be selected (see
logged in when the system switches to live
You (LFY), LSE’s web-based self-service above for more information). If a personal
in Welcome Week, you may need to refresh
student administration system, with the statement is required, this will be indicated
your browser in order to start making
opportunity to include a statement in on the LFY course choice system.
course selections. You must select four units
support of your request where this is
of courses during the MT registration period Registering for Seminar Groups
required. LFY operates an automated
(expect for Part-time students who may Students should sign-up for seminar
waiting list for controlled access courses.
select up to 2.5 units). groups via LFY after registering for a
Once the request is submitted, a decision
course. In some instances, the teacher will
will be made. You will be notified of the For all courses, please refer to the online
assign a student to a seminar group. You
outcome of this process via email. You Calendar. For further information on courses
must register for an MC4M1/2 computer
then have two working days to register outside this department, please contact the
class in Michaelmas Term. Registration for
for that course. teacher listed in the Calendar entry.
MC4M1 Lent Term workshops will become
Full unit courses are taught across available during MT9 and registration for
Michaelmas and Lent Terms. Most half DROPPING COURSES MC4M2 Lent Term workshops will become
unit courses are taught in either the available during MT8. All the information
Michaelmas or Lent Term. To withdraw from a course, click the ‘Select’ about MC4M1including registration
button and then put a tick in the box is provided during the first lecture in
alongside the course you wish to drop. You Michaelmas Term and in the MC4M1
COURSE REGISTRATION cannot select or change a Michaelmas Term Handbook, a hard copy of which will be
course after LFY Graduate Course Choice distributed during the first lecture.
All course choices are subject to the final
closes in MT3. LSE courses are generally offered from
approval of your MSc Programme Director,
and will be reviewed during MT3. If your You should make all of your course choices, 09:00 on Monday to18:00 on Friday. The
choices are approved this will be indicated for both Michaelmas and Lent Terms, by School expects that full time students will be
on LFY; if your Programme Director needs MT3, thereafter, students may not drop available for classes at any time during that
more information or wants to speak to a Michaelmas Term course and replace period. LFY allows you to select the seminar
you before approving your choices, this it with a Lent Term course. Changes group of your choice, provided that places
too will be indicated on LFY. You may also to course selection will be subject to the are available. We understand that you may
receive an email asking you to contact the approval of your Programme Director. wish to sign up for certain seminar groups in
Department about your course choices. order to create the most convenient personal
timetable, however, we are not able to
guarantee that you will be able to enrol for
the seminar group of your choice.
12PART-TIME STUDENTS COURSES IN OTHER AUDITING COURSES
All MSc Programmes in the Department of
DEPARTMENTS You may be permitted to audit lectures
Media and Communications can be taken Some courses are limited to a certain (attend without credit) subject to the
part-time over two years except the MSc in number of students. Students should approval of the course teacher, whom
Global Media and Communications and the consult the department in which the course you must contact directly for permission.
MSc Strategic Communications. is offered, and follow the instructions given Normally you may not attend the seminars.
Part-time students normally select courses there. If you are choosing a course offered
to the value of TWO units in each year by another department, discuss this choice
of study. The MC499 Dissertation should with your Academic Adviser if it is not listed
be selected in the second year. Part-time as an option for your MSc programme and
students must meet the same requirements with the course teacher (in accordance with
as full-time students over two years. It is any course restrictions as listed in the School
the responsibility of part-time students Calendar). Students should check the
to ensure that other commitments allow arrangements for seminar group allocation
them to attend their lectures and seminars, with the department offering the course.
complete written assignments and attend Students should note that at LSE
examinations. The Department will try to the summative assessment differs by
accommodate requests from part-time department. Students taking courses
students who wish to sign up for specific other than those with an MC prefix should
seminars to avoid clashes with paid consult the course convenor early in the
work and other formal commitments: if term to verify methods of assessment and
conveniently timed seminars for a particular coursework submission deadlines.
course are full, please contact the course
convenor to discuss reallocation.
133 MSC PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK
3.1 PROGRAMME LEARNING and summative assessment. The following Feedback will take the form of written
provides details about expectations, comments on the strengths and areas
AND FEEDBACK deadlines, and the requirements for for further development according to
Throughout your MSc programme in the formative and summative assessment. the assessment criteria. Requirements for
Department of Media and Communications, courses outside the Department of Media
You may discuss your overall progress and
you will receive feedback in diverse and Communications might vary – check
your plans for formative and summative
forms and on a variety of aspects of the with the course convenor.
coursework with your Supervisor during
development of your understanding of the their weekly Feedback and Advice hours. In general, formative essays should
field of media and communications and on The feedback you obtain from course be 1,500 words in length including
your performance. teachers in response to the submission of footnotes but excluding references.
• You will receive oral feedback during formative assessments will be helpful in An important aim of the exercise is
seminars with your seminar teachers as planning your summative coursework. to demonstrate your ability to write
you develop your ideas and participate in within the boundaries set for any assessed
The official departmental assessment
seminar activities. work. If you find it difficult to stay within
guidelines can be found on the
this word limit, you should seek advice
• You will work in small groups on occasion departmental Moodle page.
from your Academic Adviser, Supervisor,
in your seminars, interacting with your course teacher or LSE LIFE on how to write
peers, giving you feedback on how your in a more precise and focused way, and
learning is progressing.
3.2 FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
how best to edit your work. There are some
• You will receive face to face feedback The purpose of formative assessment variations of formative assessment types
from your Academic Adviser in Michaelmas is to support the learning process and and students should always refer to the
Term and from your Supervisor in Lent and to help you to prepare for summative assessment section on a course’s Moodle
Summer Term. This feedback may be about assessment. Formative assessment is often page for the exact details of formative and
your overall learning and progression, on a based on a short essay on which you will summative assignments.
specific aspect of your development, or on receive written feedback from the course Essays should be appropriately and
your performance in a specific assignment. teacher. You will receive a grade to help correctly referenced using a standard
you develop analytical and writing skills bibliographic format.
• You will receive oral feedback on the in preparation for the formally assessed
development of your dissertation ideas from summative coursework. Timed essays should normally be
your Supervisor during feedback and advice completed under simulated exam
hours and group supervision sessions. Formative assessment does not count conditions, ie, handwritten and timed
Feedback and advice hours of other staff towards your final mark for the course. by you. The specific requirements for
are also good opportunities to receive Students are also expected to complete timed essays will be provided by the
feedback on the development of your advance reading and prepare seminar course teacher. Your teacher will mark
dissertation ideas. presentations as required by course teachers your essay on the assumption that you
• During the year you will receive written on which they will receive oral feedback have followed these instructions and it will
feedback on your formative and summative during the seminars or workshops. If benefit you to do so, in order to gain a
assessment assignments. This written courses are taken in other departments, realistic assessment of your performance. If
feedback can then be discussed with your you must check their expectations for you decide you do not wish to prepare your
Supervisor and the course teacher for formative assessment. formative essay under these conditions,
the assessed course. After the conclusion you will be asked to indicate that on the
of the dissertation marking process, you cover page of your essay when you submit
will receive written feedback on your FORMATIVE it. It will then be marked without taking
dissertation. You will not receive written or ASSESSMENT TASK into account what can be achieved under
oral feedback on your examinations. simulated exam conditions.
Students are expected to submit a piece
• You also will receive oral feedback from Formative Assessment for MC4M1/
of formative assessment for each MC
teachers providing any extra-curricular MC4M2 (Methods Courses) There
course for which they register. Formative
courses you register for during the year, for is a special formative assignment for
assessment is set by the teacher for each
example, on essay writing, citation practice these courses; the assignment guidelines
course and generally takes the form of an
or language skills. You will receive feedback are made available on the MC4M1/2
essay of 1,500 words unless otherwise
from mentors if you choose to engage in Moodle page.
specified. Usually you can choose from
internship activities facilitated by LSE and by a selection of essay titles available in the Formative Assessment for MC499
the Department and from the Director of assessment section of each course’s Moodle (Dissertation) The MC499 Dissertation
Polis if you volunteer for work experience page. For courses that are assessed by Guide contains further information about
placements with Polis. an exam you may be asked to prepare a the two formative dissertation plans
You will complete two kinds of assessment timed essay – details will be discussed in (submitted to your Supervisor in LT) and
during your MSc programme: formative each course. Check the specific course the dissertation research process, and can
Moodle page for details on assessment.
14be accessed via the MC499 section of writing references. This applies particularly
Moodle. You will receive oral feedback to students on the MSc Global Media
from your Supervisor. and Communications (USC) programme
where mid-year references are required
by USC for scholarships and teaching
FORMATIVE COURSEWORK assistant positions.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
See Annex ‘Key Dates’ for submission dates. 3.3 SUMMATIVE
• Formative assignment essays should be ASSESSMENT
printed on A4 or American letter paper,
The purpose of summative assessment
using a font of at least 12pt, with standard
is to evaluate your performance in each
margins, double or 1.5 line spacing and
course and to determine the Class of
double-sided printing.
Award to be made at the end of the
• Electronic submission to Moodle is programme of study (i.e. Fail, Pass,
required, refer to your teacher for whether Merit, Distinction). The marks awarded
you must also submit a hard copy. for summative assessment determine
or contribute to the final course mark.
• Upload an electronic copy of your
Summative assessment is formal and can
essay to the assessment section of
be based on presentations, coursework
Moodle. You must name the file as
essays and other written work, exams or
follows: MC4xx_ For example,
the dissertation.
MC408_Jenny Jones.
The Department uses a diverse range
• A standard submission sheet (Formative
of summative assessment methods to
Coursework Coversheet, available on
evaluate your performance and to support
Moodle) must form the first page of the
you in developing a range of skills and
formative assessment.
knowledge during your studies. The most
• Formative assessment coursework should common form of summative assessment is a
be submitted to your seminar teacher coursework essay (which might also include
(according to each teacher’s instructions) in a case study). Check Moodle and discuss
your Week 7 seminar, except for MC408 individual course assessment methods
(Theories and Concepts) and MC4M1/ with your course teacher. The Methods of
MC4M2 (Methods) as indicated below. Research courses (MC4M1/ MC4M2) and
the Dissertation (MC499) have distinct
• For MC408, the formative essay must be
forms of summative assessment appropriate
submitted during seminars in MT5, or to
to the course aims and should be discussed
seminar teacher’s pigeonholes by 4pm on
with your Supervisor.
Thursday, of MT5.
• For MC4M1 or MC4M2, submit the
formative assessment coursework to SUMMATIVE COURSEWORK
your Supervisor by 12:00 (midday) on
Word limits and word counts for
Tuesday of MT11 an electronic copy
summative essay coursework
via email and on Moodle (instructions
for submission on the MC4M1 Moodle When writing summative essays students
page). You must name the file as follows: should adhere to the stated word limit on
MC4M1. summative coursework. A 10% margin
on word length is acceptable unless
specific course assignment guidelines state
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT otherwise. Where the word count of an
FEEDBACK essay is considerably over or under the limit
this will be taken into consideration during
Important: Students should note the marking process.
that grades awarded for formative
coursework throughout the year, For all summative coursework including the
in the absence of provisional dissertation the word count will include the
summative coursework grades, entire text (including abstracts, footnotes or
may be used by your teachers when endnotes). Tables of Content (including lists
of figures and tables), Acknowledgements/
15Dedications, Appendices and Bibliographies – Check carefully that you are uploading Extensions
are not included in the word count. the final version of your essay. Students
Extensions are only granted in
are not permitted to alter their Moodle
The word count must be recorded on the exceptional circumstances where
submission after the deadline of 12:00
coversheet, which forms the first page of there is a good reason, backed by
(midday). Any attempt to do so will
each submitted piece of work. supporting evidence.
be counted as a late submission and a
penalty will be applied. If you believe that you have good cause
SUBMISSION PROCEDURES not to meet the deadline (eg, illness), you
Coversheets/Plagiarism Declarations
can seek a formal extension using the
FOR SUMMATIVE Students must complete a coversheet, Coursework Extension Request Form
COURSEWORK which includes the plagiarism declaration.
– This request must state the nature of
This sheet forms the first page of the
Submission deadlines the problem and the period (with dates)
coursework and is available on Moodle.
for which work was interrupted, and
See Annex ‘Key Dates’ for submission dates. Omitting the coversheet may be considered must include supporting evidence (eg, a
• Summative coursework is submitted as an incomplete submission. If you are medical certificate).
online (hard copy submission is not required to resubmit after the deadline, you
– If you cannot provide the evidence
required). may incur a penalty for late submission.
electronically and/or immediately (eg, if
• Students must submit to course pages on Format/Binding you need to request a medical certificate
Moodle by 12:00 (midday) on submission from your doctor), an extension can
• You must use a font size of 12pt or larger,
day. Any work submitted after this day/time normally be agreed conditionally
1.5- or double-line spacing and standard
will be recorded as a late submission. upon the evidence being submitted
width margins.
at a later date (normally by or on the
– This must include the coversheet, • Tables and figures must be numbered extended deadline when the coursework
bibliography and any appendices. You and given a title and a source. is submitted). Supporting evidence
must name the file as follows: MC4xx_ must be in English, or accompanied by
CANDIDATE NUMBER. eg, candidate • All pages must be numbered.
an official translation, eg, by the LSE
number 12345 would name the MC402 • Coursework must contain complete and Language Centre.
electronic file as MC402_12345. correct referencing and bibliographies.
Disability/Dyslexia: if you feel that
– Your name and student number must The details above apply to all summative you need an extension to a coursework
NOT appear anywhere on the assignment. coursework submitted to the Department deadline, you must refer to your Inclusion
Use only your five digit candidate number. of Media and Communications (all MC- Plan (IP) in the request. The Disability
– You must submit as a single pdf file. prefixed courses) and need to be followed and Well-being Service can provide a
Many free pdf converter programmes are strictly. Students submitting coursework to letter of notification of dyslexia to attach
available on the internet. other departments must check submission to coursework.
procedures with the teacher responsible for
– The first page of your essay after If you miss the deadline for submission
the course.
the cover sheet must include the but believe that you have good cause
following information: For information on dissertation submission, which could not have been alerted
please see Dissertation Guide. in advance, you should seek a formal
> Course Code (eg, MC402) extension as early as possible and discuss it
> Course Name (eg, The Audience in with your Supervisor.
Media and Communications) EXTENSIONS AND PENALTIES
– Students should be aware that the
FOR LATE SUBMISSION OF Chair of the Examination Sub-Board
> Candidate Number (eg, 12345)
SUMMATIVE COURSEWORK may not be able to respond to extension
> The question number that the enquiries immediately. In order to avoid
essay addresses LSE sets strict deadlines for formally undue anxiety, it is in your best interests
assessed summative coursework. We to advise the Chair of your situation
>Title of the essay
recognise, however, that students may, as soon as it arises or as soon as you
> Date of submission in the course of the year, face unforeseen realise that it will affect your ability to
difficulties that prevent meeting these meet the deadline.
– Try the system in the test area before
deadlines. We hope that no such difficulties
you submit the final version of your – Any extension granted will be
will arise during your studies at LSE.
coursework. Do not leave it to the last confirmed in writing by email to
However, if you cannot meet a deadline,
minute to try the Moodle submission the student.
the procedure is as follows.
site. Inability to use Moodle to submit
your coursework will not be accepted as a – Each case will be determined on
valid reason for late submission. its merits. The following is offered as
a guideline:
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