Module manager: Holly Steel
Email: H.Steel1@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as an Elective
This is the core module for MA Digital Media, running across both semesters, and introducing students to a range of different methods and practices for digital media production and research. We will look at a broad range of practices from across the digital sphere and think about how we can apply them critically, creatively, or for research.
On completion of this module, students should be able to:-
-Develop practical skills by exploring and experimenting with many of the various digital media techniques, tools, products, pathways, platforms and practices, for both research and production;
- Critique, evaluate and ask critical questions about these digital practices and their context of use in academia, industry and wider society;
-Demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to apply these practices to engage with critical questions through practice, developing innovative digital artefacts in response to in-depth research.
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
1. Utilise key debates and theories to critically analyse and interpret digital media cultures, forms, practices and methods, in order to develop an understanding of the possibilities, constraints and academic and technical choices that underpin existing practices and traditions;
2. Experiment with digital practices and techniques to investigate contemporary norms, structures and impacts related to digital media products, production and cultures;
3. Create digital media outputs that respond to and/or shaped by research and critical analysis;
4. Reflect on experience within team projects to critically evaluate individual roles and tasks involved in digital production.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Planning and conducting research projects that use research methodologies that are appropriate to the discipline;
2. Applying technical skills in creating and formatting digital media content;
3. Clearly presenting and communicating ideas orally, through written text, and through a range of media forms.
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Planning and conducting research projects that use research methodologies that are appropriate to the discipline;
2. Applying technical skills in creating and formatting digital media content;
3. Clearly presenting and communicating ideas orally, through written text, and through a range of media forms.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 18 | 2 | 36 |
| Private study hours | 554 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 46 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 600 | ||
Monitoring of student progress is important, so various checkpoints have been built into the structure. Student progress will be monitored via participation in workshops, but also through formative and summative assessments.
In addition to the three summative assessments, two formative assessments are provided. One of these is an individual reflective piece in semester 1, and the other is a group presentation on plans for the group project in semester 2. These formative assessments will provide a method to address any student progress issues. In addition to these formative assessments, additional support sessions are scheduled in semester 2 which will provide a space for troubleshooting and receiving feedback from both your peers and the teaching team.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | Critical evaluation of method, 2,500-3,000 words | 35 |
| Group Project | Presentation and documentation of practice-based methods, tools, research and artefacts | 45 |
| Reflective log | Reflective critique | 20 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Resit tasks for summative assessments are identical to the original assignment except where the assessment is group work, as follows: - Resit for the group project report is an individual written research/analysis report with idea specification - Resit for the group project is an individual written critical analysis of new media practices
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 27/08/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team