Course Information – Graduate – Department of Communications and New Media

Course Information - Graduate

Students who are enrolled in our Graduate by Research programme may find on this page the list of courses offered in the Department.
Courses are not offered every semester.

For information on the specific courses offered in the current Academic Year, please click here.

Level 5000 Level 6000

Level 5000

NM5218 Cultural Policy

Course credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-4-3
Prerequisites:	Nil
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	Nil

This course introduces cultural policy studies as a distinct domain of cultural studies. It examines the stakes involved in defining and operating within cultural policy studies by analysing the practices of cultural industries, art institutions, cultural planning and participation, and creative economies. Students will evaluate specific instances of cultural policy development, and produce studies of cultural practices in order to re-think perceived notions of identity, representation and power. Students completing the course will appreciate the relationship between critical analysis and policy orientation in cultural studies and be familiar with specific instances of cultural policy development at national and international levels.

NM5219 Critical Design

Course credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-4-3
Prerequisites:	Nil
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	NM4225 Speculative and Critical Design

The course explores, from a critical stance, various techniques of design thinking and user experience design in the context of emergent technologies and near future scenarios. Critical and speculative design practices, such as design fiction, action research and community-based technology and citizen science initiatives are employed to reflect upon new technologies through prototyping, storytelling and speculative design scenarios. These techniques bridge philosophical modes of inquiry and design practices, encouraging debate about the social, cultural and ethical impact of emerging and future technologies by exploring alternative futures and involving various actors and stakeholders in the decision making related to new technologies.

Level 6000

Click here to see level-6000 courses for the Cultural Studies in Asia PhD programme.

NM6101 Advanced Theories in Communications and New Media

Course credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-3-4
Prerequisites:	Nil
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	Nil

In this course, students will review classical and contemporary readings in communications and new media studies, including key concepts and areas of investigation. It will provide students with a comprehensive and critical overview of theoretical frameworks of communications and new media. Students will also examine the role of theory in the research process.

NM6103 Quantitative Research Methods in Communications and New Media

Course credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-3-4
Prerequisites:	For CNM and FASS graduate students
Preclusion(s)	Nil
Cross-listing(s):	Nil

This course will prepare graduate students for their thesis writing by delving into selected quantitative research methods in depth in the area of communications and new media. Students will have hands-on experience in developing their own research agenda, designing methodologies and conducting independent research work. It will give an introduction to a variety of quantitative and research methods including survey research, experimental design, content analysis, and social network analysis. Students will also learn how to analyse empirical data using appropriate statistics and analytical tools.

NM6104 Qualitative Research Methods in Communications and New Media

Modular credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-3-4
Prerequisites:	For CNM and FASS graduate students
Preclusion(s)	Nil
Cross-listing(s):	Nil

This course is designed to help graduate students understand what qualitative communication research is, questions of design in qualitative communication research, and the steps in carrying out qualitative research projects. It covers fundamental concepts in qualitative research design, sampling strategies, data generation, data analysis, evaluation, writing and performance. This module also introduces basic concepts of qualitative methods such as interpretation, meaning making, reflexivity, poetics, and co-construction. A set of field based experiences will be designed to give students opportunities to become familiar with specific forms of qualitative data gathering such as in-depth interviews, focus groups, and ethnography.

NM6201 Communication as Culture

Modular credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-3-4
Prerequisites:	Nil
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	IF6201

How should we understand the relationships among media and the social and cultural contexts in which they operate? How should we think through the relationship of technology, culture and communication? How do certain cultures create and naturalise particular modes of media form and content? How do media technologies interact with/create forms of community and identity? This module addresses these concerns by introducing students to cultural approaches to communication. It examines debates on culture in the field of communication studies, and approaches the study of communication as culture.

NM6660 Independent Study

Modular credits:	4
Workload:	3-0-0-4-3
Prerequisites:	Minimum 10 hours per week. The precise breakdown of contact hours, assignment and preparation is to be worked out between the lecture and the student, subject to Department approval
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	Nil

Independent research plays an important role in graduate education. The Independent Study Module is designed to enable the student to explore an approved topic in Communications and New Media in depth. The student should approach a lecturer to work out an agreed topic, readings, and assignments for the module. A formal, written agreement is to be drawn up, giving a clear account of the topic, programme of study, assignments, evaluation, and other pertinent details. Head's and/or Graduate Coordinator's approval of the written agreement is required. Regular meetings and reports are expected. Evaluation is based on 100% Continuous Assessment and must be worked out between the student and the lecturer prior to seeking departmental approval.

NM6770 Graduate Research Seminar*

Modular credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-0-7
Prerequisites:	Nil
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	Nil

This is a required module for all research Masters and Ph.D. students admitted from AY2004/2005. The module provides a forum for students and faculty to share their research and to engage one another critically in discussion of their current research projects. The module will include presentations by faculty on research ethics and dissertation writing. Each student is required to present a formal research paper. Active participation in all research presentations is expected. The module may be spread over two semesters and will be graded "Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory" on the basis of student presentation and participation.

NM6882 Advanced Topics: Intelligent Interactive Media

Modular credits:	4
Workload:	0-3-0-4-3
Prerequisites:	Successful completion of 5000-level CNM media design module (or equivalent). Note: This module is intended for advanced graduate students from all faculties and thus does not require a background in computer science and engineering (although it will be possible for such students to develop and evaluate more technically advanced prototypes).
Preclusion(s)/Cross-listing(s):	Nil

*Note:

This is an advanced module for graduate students who are doing thesis work that involves prototyping and evaluation adaptive/intelligent interactive digital media. Students will learn about research challenges and solutions specific to such media by developing working prototypes and conducting user studies with them.

Workload Components: A-B-C-D-E

A: no. of lecture hours per week
B: no. of tutorial hours per week
C: no. of lab hours per week
D: no. of hours for projects, assignments, fieldwork etc per week
E: no. of hours for preparatory work by a student per week