2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

COMM3950 Promotional Culture

20 Credits Class Size: 63

Module manager: Sophie Bishop
Email: S.Bishop@leeds.ac.uk 

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module aims to introduce students to the histories and theories of promotional media and how they can be applied to contemporary practices of promotional culture. Lectures, seminars and assignments will enable students to explore different forms of promotional culture and use relevant theoretical perspectives. Students will enhance their analytical skills and engage critically with the relationship between promotional and media cultures. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.

Objectives

This module will examine the histories and theories of promotional media and how they can be applied to contemporary practices of promotional culture. Students will explore different forms of promotional culture and use relevant theoretical perspectives. The module will enhance analytical skills and enable students to engage critically with the relationship between promotional and media cultures.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:



Interrogate what is meant by promotional culture and how promotional media has changed historically

Apply histories and theories of promotional culture to the analysis of contemporary media practices at an advanced level

Critically analyse the relationship between promotional and media cultures 

On successful completion of the module students will be able to:



Gather, critically analyse and synthesise data and information from a range of reliable sources.

Effectively communicate their ideas, using appropriate style, vocabulary, formats and conventions

Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Lecture 10 1 10
Seminar 10 1 10
Private study hours 180
Total Contact hours 20
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 200

Private study

Students use independent study time to work on required readings and assessments.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Active participation in the seminars will be encouraged through specific individual and small group tasks that test and apply learning from the lectures to enable students to get weekly feedback on their understanding and skills development. Peer-feedback will be encouraged in seminars and module tutors will provide students with guidance on good practice when feeding back to peers in seminars.

As students work on their assessments, the module tutors will help them to refine their research topic, method and approach. Students will receive written preparatory materials, including guidelines and criteria to help them understand the assessment requirements and expectations. Time in lectures and seminars will be set aside to talk students through the assessments and they will be given the opportunity to ask questions.

Methods of Assessment

Coursework
Assessment type Notes % of formal assessment
Assignment Assignment 40
Portfolio Portfolio 60
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) 100

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team