MSc Student Handbook

2010-11

Graduate Taught Programmes

MSc Global Media and Communications (with Fudan or USC)

MSc Media and Communications MSc Media and Communications (Research) MSc Media and Communications (Media and

Communication Governance) MSc Media, Communication and Development

MSc Politics and Communication

www.lse.ac.uk/collections/media@lse

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Welcome

Dear students,

Welcome to the Department of Media and Communications! In this academic year 2010-11, you will encounter many new ideas about the nature and importance of media and communications in our society. We know, also, that each of you brings a wealth of experience and we look forward to learning from you. Research in the field of media and communications is developing rapidly, as you would expect given the expansion in the penetration, diversity and social significance of the media and communication industries globally. Our research focus is interdisciplinary – we draw on theories and methods from diverse social science disciplines as they apply to the media, old and new, and to a variety of modes of communication. This focus also shapes our teaching, as you will see from the range and content of the courses we offer. Our mission is to provide a high quality graduate education in the field of media and communications, to enable you to conduct your own research in this field, and to develop your knowledge and expertise. And London is an ideal setting for such study, with valuable professional, educational and research benefits resulting from the proximity of media and communication organisations to the LSE. Together with my academic colleagues in the Department, and with the support of our Department Manager, Cath Bennett, and her team, we hope to make this a rewarding year for you. I very much hope you will enjoy your year with us.

Professor Sonia Livingstone Head of Department

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Table of Contents

Welcome............................................ ............................................... ii

About this MSc Student Handbook 2010-11 ............ ...................... vi

1 ......The Department of Media and Communications ......... ........... 1

1.1 ....Where We Are....................................... ................................................................................1

1.2 ....Who’s Who .......................................... .................................................................................1

2 ......The Department: Key Information .................... ....................... 2

2.1 ....Dates of Terms and Vacations ....................... ....................................................................2 Academic Year 2010-11.............................. ....................................................................2 Vacations.......................................... ...............................................................................2

2.2. ...Programmes and Courses ............................. .....................................................................2 Registering for Courses............................ .....................................................................2

Units and Courses ..................................................................................................2 Compulsory Courses..............................................................................................3

Course Choice and Registration..................... ..............................................................3 Registering for Courses Online ..............................................................................3 Changing Courses..................................................................................................3

Registering for Compulsory and Optional Courses .... ...............................................4 Course Guides........................................................................................................4 Courses Offered by the Department ......................................................................4 Media and Communications Courses (MC-prefixed) .............................................4 Auditing Courses ....................................................................................................4 Courses in Other Departments...............................................................................4 Lectures, Seminars (or Classes) and Workshops..................................................4

Seminar Sign-up .................................... .........................................................................5 Requests to Change Programmes Within the Department ........................................5

2.3. ...Communication with Students ........................ ...................................................................6 Moodle ............................................. ................................................................................6 LSE for You (LFY) .................................. .........................................................................6 Timetables ......................................... ..............................................................................6 Contacting Academic Staff for Advice and Guidance .. ..............................................7 Academic Advisers.................................. .......................................................................7 Contacting Managerial/Administrative Staff ......... .......................................................7 Requesting Written References for Employment/Furthe r Study...............................8 Attendance/Absence ................................. .....................................................................8 Change of Address.................................. .......................................................................8 Interruption of Studies/Withdrawal from the School . .................................................8

2.4. ...Media and Communications Department Resources ...... ................................................8 POLIS ...............................................................................................................................8

POLIS Dialogues (MC408.3)..................................................................................9 POLIS Internships ..................................................................................................9

Staff/Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) ............. ........................................................9 MCLab (MC408.4).................................... ........................................................................9 LSE Media Group.................................... ........................................................................9

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3 ......The Department’s MSc Programmes and Courses ........ ........ 10

3.1 ....Overview ........................................... ....................................................................................10 Programme Structure................................ .....................................................................10 Optional Courses................................... .........................................................................10 Teaching ........................................... ...............................................................................10 Outside Options.................................... ..........................................................................11 Part-time Study .................................... ...........................................................................11

3.2 ....MSc Programme Guides ............................... ......................................................................11 MSc Media and Communications ....................... ..........................................................11 See:...................................................................................................................................11 MSc Media and Communications (Research)............ ..................................................11 MSc Media and Communications (Media and Communicati on Governance) ..........11 MSc Global Media and Communications (USC or Fudan). .........................................11 MSc Media, Communication and Development........... ................................................11 MSc Politics and Communication..................... ............................................................11

3.3 ....MSc Programme Assessment and Feedback .............. .....................................................12 MSc Programme Learning and Feedback ................ ....................................................12 Formative and Summative Assessment................. ......................................................12 Formative and Summative Assessment Expectations .... ...........................................12

Formative Assessment...........................................................................................13 Summative Assessment.........................................................................................13

Essays: ..............................................................................................................13 Dissertations (MC499):......................................................................................13 Research Ethics Policy......................................................................................14 Unseen Examinations: ......................................................................................14

Formative and Summative Assessment Feedback........ .............................................14 Formative Assessment Feedback ..........................................................................14 Summative Assessment Feedback ........................................................................14

Formative and Summative Assessment Criteria and Mar ks ......................................15 Assessment Criteria ...............................................................................................15 Formative Assessment Marks ................................................................................15 Summative Assessment Marks ..............................................................................15 Marking Process and Candidate Number ..............................................................15

Formative and Summative Assessment Deadlines ....... .............................................16 Formative Assessment Deadlines..........................................................................16 Summative Assessment Deadlines........................................................................16

Formative and Summative Assessment Deadline Extensi ons ..................................16 Formative Assessment Extensions ........................................................................16 Summative Assessment Extensions ......................................................................16

3.4 ....General Guidelines for Formative and Summative Asse ssment....................................17 Time Planning ...................................... ...........................................................................17 Guidelines for Essay Writing....................... ..................................................................17

Good Practices for Citations and Referencing .......................................................17 When Should You Cite the Literature?...................................................................17 LSE Library Resources for Academic Citation .......................................................18

Avoiding Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty............ .....................................................18 Plagiarism detection ...............................................................................................18

Guidelines for Unseen Examination Preparation...... ..................................................19 Revision Feedback .................................................................................................19 Previous Years’ Examination Papers .....................................................................19

3.5 ....Formal LSE Regulations for MSc Programmes.......... ......................................................19 Examination Regulations............................ ...................................................................19

Deferral of Course Work or Examinations..............................................................20 Disability/Dyslexia: Special Examination Arrangements ........................................20 Mitigation ................................................................................................................20

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Boards of Examiners ..............................................................................................21 Notification of final results ...................... ......................................................................21

Provisional Marks ...................................................................................................21 Examination Boards ...............................................................................................21 Final Course Marks and MSc Classifications.........................................................22 Failures and Re-sits................................................................................................22 Repeat Tuition: Student Progress Panel ................................................................22 Presentation Ceremonies.......................................................................................22 Appeals...................................................................................................................23

4 ......LSE Services and Resources for Students............ ................. 24

4.1 ....Learning at LSE.................................... ................................................................................24 New Arrivals Information and Orientation ........... ........................................................24 Finding Your Way Around LSE ........................ .............................................................24 Library............................................ ..................................................................................24

The Shaw Library: ..................................................................................................24 Recommended External Facilities..........................................................................24

Organising Photocopy Pools ......................... ...............................................................25 IT Services........................................ ...............................................................................25 Student Services Centre (SSC) ...................... ...............................................................25 English Language Support and Foreign Language Cours es.....................................25 Student Study Support.............................. .....................................................................26 Terminology at LSE................................. .......................................................................26

4.2 ....Resources and Support .............................. ........................................................................26 International Student Immigration Service (ISIS)... .....................................................26 Equality and diversity............................. ........................................................................26 Disability Equality (or students with long-term med ical conditions, dyslexia and disabilities) ...................................... ................................................................................27 Chaplaincy......................................... ..............................................................................27 Careers Service.................................... ...........................................................................27 Financial Support Office (FSO) ..................... ................................................................27 Interruption / Deferral / Withdrawal............... ................................................................27 Health and Welfare Services ........................ .................................................................28

Medical Centre .......................................................................................................28 LSE Student Counselling Service ..........................................................................28 Students' Union Advice and Counselling Service ..................................................28 http://www.lsesu.com/support ................................................................................28 Adviser to Women Students...................................................................................28 Adviser to Male Students .......................................................................................29 Dean of Graduate Studies......................................................................................29 Nightline..................................................................................................................29

Accommodation Office ............................... ...................................................................29 Alumni Services.................................... ..........................................................................29 Nursery ............................................ ................................................................................29 Catering Services at LSE ........................... ....................................................................29

4.3 .... Internships, Events and Activities ................. ....................................................................30 Internships ........................................ ..............................................................................30 Time Commitment to Studies......................... ...............................................................30 Volunteer Centre................................... ..........................................................................30 LSE Students’ Union (SU)........................... ...................................................................30 Public Lectures and Events......................... ..................................................................30

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About this MSc Student Handbook 2010-11 This Handbook provides an introduction to what we do and how we do it, as well as what is expected of students. It contains information for the whole of the academic year. The Handbook is on the Department of Media and Communications website at: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/media@lse/study/Student_Handbooks.htm and on Moodle at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Moodle_Student_Access.aspx For more detailed information about events, consult the Department of Media and Communications website at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/Home.aspx Information about studying at LSE is available on the Student Services Centre website at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/Home.aspx Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this MSc Student Handbook is correct and up-to-date at the time of publication, but circumstances may change subsequent to publication. The Handbook contains links to Department and School websites providing key dates, details of course availability, etc. These may be adjusted from time to time throughout the year. The School reserves the right at all times to withdraw or alter particular courses and syllabi, and to alter the level of fees.

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1 The Department of Media and Communications

1.1 Where We Are The Department of Media and Communications is located on the 1st floor of St. Clements Building, Houghton Street. Contact details:

Department of Media and Communications London School of Economics and Political Science Houghton Street London WC2A 2AE media@lse.ac.uk

Student Common Room The Department’s MSc Student Common Room is located in room S114 on the 1st floor of St. Clements Building. It is for use by students on Media and Communications programmes. The door code will be provided at the student orientation meetings. Please put up posters and use the notice boards. Be careful not to leave anything of value unattended in the room.

1.2 Who’s Who Head of Department:

Professor Sonia Livingstone

Director of Graduate Studies: Dr. Myria Georgiou

MPhil/PhD Programme Director: Professor Lilie Chouliaraki

Chair, Sub-Board of Examiners in Media and Communic ations:

Professor Terhi Rantanen

MSc Global Media and Communications (with USC): MSc Global Media and Communications (with Fudan):

Professor Terhi Rantanen Dr. Bingchun Meng

MSc Media and Communications: MSc Media and Communications (Research Track): MSc Media and Communications (Media and Communicati on Governance):

Dr. Damian Tambini

MSc Media, Communication and Development: Dr. Linje Manyozo

MSc Politics and Communication:

Dr. Bart Cammaerts (MT) Dr. Nick Anstead (LT and ST)

Department Manager: Catherine Bennett

MSc Programme Administrator (except MSc Global Medi a & Communications):

Vanessa Cragoe

MSc Global Media and Communications Programme Administrator: PhD Programme Administrator:

Jean Morris

Department Administrator: Erin Keohan See contact details for telephone numbers/email addresses of all Academic Staff at: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/whosWho/AcademicStaffList.aspx For Management and Administrative Staff responsibilities see: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/whosWho/AdministrativeStaffList.aspx

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2 The Department: Key Information

2.1 Dates of Terms and Vacations Academic Year 2010-11

Orientation week: Monday 27 September – Friday 1 October 2010 Term dates: Michaelmas Term: Monday 4 October - Friday 10 December 2010 Lent Term: Monday 10 January - Friday 25 March 2011 (eleven week term) Summer Term: Tuesday 3 May - Friday 1 July 2011 (nine week term) Formal teaching:

Usually completed by the end of the Lent Term. Examinations for courses taken in both terms will normally be held during May and June (for MC-prefixed courses exams are typically held in early to mid May) . The remaining months are used by students to complete the Dissertation. It is not essential for students to remain in London during the vacation period as long as the Dissertation is submitted in person or by post by the deadline of the last Friday in August. Members of academic staff will be on vacation or research leave after the end of the Summer Term.

Vacations

During LSE vacation periods, academic staff will not be available to meet with students, but a central email contact [mediaresponse@lse.ac.uk] will be provided. You should organise your workload to allow time to see your Academic Adviser during term-time, especially for dissertation supervision during the Summer Term. Administrative staff members are available all year round, but do not hold regular office hours during vacations. LSE closes over the Christmas and Easter breaks. During this time, all the Department’s offices will be closed and there will be minimal facilities available throughout the School. Details about which buildings will be open will be published online closer to the time. LSE closure dates for 2010-11 are: Christmas: Thursday 23 December 2010 – Monday 3 January 2011 inclusive

Easter: Thursday 21 April – Wednesday 27 April 2011 inclusive

2.2. Programmes and Courses

(Refer to Section 3 for specific information about MSc Programme Assessment and Feedback) Registering for Courses

Units and Courses

Students are required to take FOUR UNITS to complete an MSc Programme. These are made up of taught courses to the value of three units and the Dissertation to the value of one unit. Some courses are equal to one unit; others are equal to a half unit. Each programme has compulsory courses and optional courses. For most courses, students will attend ONE lecture and ONE seminar each week per course. Part-time students normally take courses to the value of TWO UNITS in each year of study.

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Compulsory Courses The compulsory (core) courses are the central focus of each MSc programme, providing an advanced understanding of theories, concepts and methods in media and communications research. For the Dissertation students conduct original research which develops their particular interests.

Course Choice and Registration

Registering for Courses Online Students are required to make their course selection via LSE for You (LFY), LSE's self-service student administration online system. If you are a new student joining the School in October, information on how to activate your LFY account can be found via the application tracker system. The course registration deadline at the end of MT Week 2 enables students to attend any optional courses that are of interest in the first couple of weeks and to discuss these with your Academic Adviser if necessary, before making choices. Access LFY at: https://auth.lse.ac.uk/auth/login?service=https%3A%2F%2Flfylive.lse.ac.uk%2Flfy%2Fup%2FuPortal%2FLogin&renew=true or from the LSE student homepage: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/home.aspx. All full-time students must register online for courses to the value of FOUR units and only FOUR (i.e. no more, no fewer ) (normally TWO units for part-time students). This includes all courses to be taken during the year in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms, compulsory and optional. If your LFY record shows more or less than FOUR units, you have not completed your online registration correctly.

Some courses have restricted access so an application will have to be made to the department teaching the course before it can be selected. If this is required, it will be indicated on the LFY course choice system.

All course choices are subject to the approval of your MSc Programme Director.

More detailed information regarding course choice can be found at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/courseChoicePg/Home.aspx

Changing Courses From early in the Michaelmas Term, LFY is locked for course changes until the beginning of the Lent Term. You cannot select or change course(s) online. After the online course choice system has been switched off, in order to change a course you will need to fill in a ‘late course change’ form available from the Student Services Centre. Special permission must be obtained from the department (students should contact their Academic Adviser if they wish to change courses). From the beginning of the Lent Term, the online course choice facility in LFY will be available again so that students can finalise their choice of Lent Term half units. You will be notified of the deadline for making changes. Thereafter students will no longer be able to make changes to course choice using LFY.

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Registering for Compulsory and Optional Courses

Course Guides

Details of syllabus and content of all graduate courses offered at LSE are available at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/courseGuides/graduate.htm

Courses Offered by the Department

A link to the complete list of courses offered by the Department of Media and Communications (MC-prefixed) during the academic year 2010-11 is available within the Course Availability section of this page: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/CourseChoice.aspx Media and Communications Courses (MC-prefixed) Students in the Department can take most MC-prefixed courses on offer for a programme, but access to some courses, both within this Department and in other departments, is limited. Courses with restricted access are noted in the Graduate Course Guides at: http://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/courseGuides/graduate.htm Auditing Courses Course lectures that are not part of your programme can be audited (without credit) subject to the approval of the teacher responsible, whom you must contact directly for permission. Normally you may not attend the seminars. Courses in Other Departments Some courses are limited to a certain number of students. Students should consult the department in which the course is offered, and follow the instructions given there. If you are choosing a course offered by another department, discuss this choice with your Academic Adviser if it is not listed as an option for your MSc programme and with the course teacher (in accordance with any course restrictions as listed in the School Calendar). Such ‘outside’ options may not fit very well within the structure of your programme and it may be harder to perform well. We cannot guarantee entry into non-Department of Media and Communications courses. Students should note that at LSE the summative assessment for different courses differs by department. Students taking courses other than those with an MC prefix should consult the course convenor early in the term for methods of assessment and coursework submission deadlines. Lectures, Seminars (or Classes) and Workshops Teaching for each course normally consists of lectures and seminars (plus computer classes and workshops for Methods courses). Lectures are taught to all students taking the course. Students are split into smaller groups for seminars. Students are expected to attend regularly and to participate in seminars; attendance will be recorded. Seminar teachers normally will inform Programme Directors of repeated absence or failure to make progress. Lectures start in the first week of term (MT1). Seminars start in the first or second week of term (MT1 or MT2) – check the Timetables website at: www.lse.ac.uk/admin/timetables/default.htm for all details.

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Seminar Sign-up Students will normally sign-up for seminar groups for media and communications (MC-prefixed) courses via LSE For You . Information about seminar sign-up for MC-prefixed courses will be given during your programme orientation session. You will be notified of the deadline for seminar sign-up in the MT. Information about seminar sign-up for the LT will be provided during the MT via Moodle. The Department will try to accommodate requests from part-time students who wish to sign up for specific seminars to avoid clashes with paid work and other formal commitments: if conveniently-timed seminars for a particular course are full, contact the course teacher to discuss reallocation. Students taking courses outside the Department should check the arrangements for seminar group allocation with the department offering the course.

Requests to Change Programmes Within the Department

Exceptionally, students may be permitted to change to a different programme within the Department of Media and Communications. Requests should be emailed to Vanessa Cragoe [v.cragoe@lse.ac.uk] by 9am on Monday 11 October 2010 . Include a personal statement of up to 350 words justifying why you want to change. Limitations on programme sizes mean that all requests cannot be approved. Students will be notified of whether or not their request has been approved by 9am on Thursday 14 October 2010 . Approval will be granted on an exceptional basis as students are not normally permitted to change programmes. Students are permitted change to the Research Track of the MSc Media and Communications if they are registered for the MSc Media and Communications. MC4M2, the full (one) unit of Methods courses must be taken instead of a half unit (which means one less option course) if students wish to register for the Research Track. Follow the same procedure as in the previous paragraph. If approved, students must complete an official ‘Request to Transfer Programme’ form, available from the Student Services Centre. The department cannot do this for you.

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2.3. Communication with Students

The Department of Media and Communications will communicate with students in the following ways:

� Via the Department of Media and Communications Moodle area � By email to your personal LSE email address � On the Department of Media and Communications notice boards � Post will be placed in the pigeonholes outside the Department’s administrative

offices. Students are discouraged from having post sent to them at the LSE. Moodle

Moodle is a web-based location for LSE course materials bringing together a range of resources and tools. It provides additional forms of student-to-teacher communication and student-to-student communication. It can be accessed from home or the School. The Department’s Moodle space contains course reading lists and other electronic resources for most MC-prefixed courses, essential department information and student discussion forums. This handbook, course outlines, etc., can be accessed via Moodle. The Department will use the Announcements Section of Moodle as the main communication tool between staff and students. It is imperative that students check this section on a regular basis. Each course has its own discussion forum which staff and students can use to post questions, comments and documents. All students must self-enrol for the Department of Media and Communications Moodle space and for the courses that they are taking. See moodle.lse.ac.uk and http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Moodle_Student_Access.aspx.

LSE for You (LFY)

LSE for You (LFY) enables students to view or update personal and registration details from in or outside the School. Access is controlled and students use their individual login. LFY can be accessed via any of the LSE web pages. LFY enables students to access a wide range of resources (accommodation, paying fees online, registering for courses, checking examination timetables, finding study rooms, and requesting certificates and transcripts).

LFY is used in the Department of Media and Communications for sign-up for seminar groups and for booking office hours with Academic Advisers . See http://http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Course_Registration.aspx on how to use LFY to register for course choices.

Timetables

Timetables for all courses are available on the LSE Website, listed according to course code. See www.lse.ac.uk/admin/timetables/default.htm The Department cannot provide an individual timetable for each student. An overview timetable of all media and communications courses running in the Michaelmas Term will be distributed at orientation meetings and will be on Department notice boards and on Moodle. Students are responsible for checking the timetables website for other courses within and outside the Department.

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Contacting Academic Staff for Advice and Guidance

Members of staff can be contacted during office hours (drop-in sessions and bookable meetings), or via appointments made directly with them during term-time. Use the ‘Office Hours’ link on LFY to book office hours, meetings with Academic Advisers and dissertation supervision sessions, unless informed otherwise by teachers. You may drop in without booking an appointment during drop-in sessions. Academic staff members do not hold office hours outside term-time. Office hours for all members of staff are displayed on their doors and the Department’s Moodle.

Outside term-time, we monitor the email address mediaresponse@lse.ac.uk. If you have an urgent matter, use this email address rather than contacting your Academic Adviser, who may not be available during non-term weeks.. Messages can also be left in the staff pigeonholes in S116a.

Academic Advisers

At the start of term all students are assigned an Academic Adviser who is a member of the staff of the Department. LSE defines the role of the Academic Adviser as follows:

• To provide students with academic guidance and feedback on course choices, a student’s progress and performance and to discuss any academic problems they may experience.

• To provide pastoral support on non-academic issues and to refer students, as necessary, to the appropriate support agencies within the School.

• To implement the provisions outlined in Individual Student Support Agreements (ISSAs) for students with disabilities in liaison with the School's Disability & Well-being Office.

• To maintain regular contact with the student on academic and pastoral issues through direct one-to-one meetings and other means of communication, such as emails. The number and nature of meetings may vary between departments and programmes.

• To inform the Programme Director and School of any student whose progress is not satisfactory.

It is a student’s responsibility to make appointments to see their Academic Adviser or visit during drop-in office hours. Students should aim to do so at least twice each term , or more frequently if you wish to do so. Academic Advisers will hold start-of-year group mee tings for all advisees in the first week of the Michaelmas Term. Details of time and room number will be on Moodle. Students should regard their Academic Adviser as th e first port of call in relation to academic and welfare matters. Any issues not resolved with your Academic Adviser can be taken to your Programme Director or, ultimately, to the Director of Graduate Studies. If the relationship between a student and her/his Academic Adviser is not satisfactory, a change of Academic Adviser may be requested through the student’s Programme Director. If the Programme Director is the student’s Academic Adviser, then s/he should request a change from the Director of Graduate Studies.

Contacting Managerial/Administrative Staff

Staff members hold daily office hours during term-time. These are advertised on office doors. Changes will be notified via Moodle. Please use email contact at other times, except in an emergency. Messages can be left in the staff pigeonholes outside the administrative offices of the Department. For staff responsibilities see: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/whosWho/AdministrativeStaffList.aspx

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Requesting Written References for Employment/Furthe r Study

During the year, and/or after you have left LSE, you may need to request references in support of applications for employment or further study. Your Academic Adviser is the first person to whom you should address a reference request. Follow the guidelines at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Reference_Requests.aspx

Attendance/Absence

Students are required to attend the School for the full duration of each term. Students who wish to be away for good reason in term-time must first obtain the consent of their Academic Adviser. Students away due to illness or other reasons must inform their Academic Adviser and seminar teachers . Students are required to attend seminars and attendance will be recorded in LFY.

Change of Address

If you change your term-time or permanent home address and/or telephone number, you must inform the Student Services Centre by updating your personal contact details online via LFY. It is essential that you keep these details up to date. Your address is protected information and will not be disclosed to a third party without your permission unless it is for reasons of official School business.

Interruption of Studies/Withdrawal from the School

Students who decide to interrupt their studies or withdraw from the School must inform their Academic Adviser, the Programme Director and the Student Services Centre in writing by email. Failure to inform the School could result in a demand for fee payments for the full session.

2.4. Media and Communications Department Resources POLIS POLIS is the LSE Department of Media and Communications’ think tank, bringing together a

broad range of stakeholders with the mission to:

• Provide a forum for public debate and policy intervention on key issues of news journalism

• Produce outstanding research on the impact of mediation and journalism in our societies

Recognising the rapid and radical developments in media technologies, POLIS seeks to address the promises and risks of such profound changes for our pubic life and cultural experience. POLIS is particularly interested in the ethical and political implications of journalism as it expands in geographical scale and cultural scope while still being grounded in local-national contexts, and also expanding its production capacity to include everyday citizens as news-makers and new political actors. POLIS is committed to promoting open and substantial dialogue on the changing structures, policies and practices of journalism, inviting diverse stakeholders to reflect on the dilemmas that journalism is facing. POLIS is also committed to enabling high quality, interdisciplinary research on emerging challenges posed by formal networks and informal means of news production and circulation. For more information see: www.polismedia.org/home.aspx

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POLIS Dialogues (MC408.3)

This is an invited speaker series of lectures as part of MC408 Theories and Concepts in Media and Communications I which all students take, combining media theory and practice. It is not assessed, but attendance is compulsory . Speakers include a mix of practitioners, regulators, journalists, and other media professionals working in the London area. The seminars provide an opportunity for students to relate the topics and themes in their academic studies to debates and concerns facing practitioners and those who influence policy and practice. See Moodle, department notice boards, and the School’s timetable for MC408.3.

POLIS Internships POLIS offers events and research internships for students and recent graduates. All internships are unpaid. Interns are required to work flexibly, normally for not more than the equivalent of one day per week. If you would like to apply for a POLIS internship, or require more information, email polis@lse.ac.uk

Staff/Student Liaison Committee (SSLC)

The Department of Media and Communications has an MSc Staff/Student Liaison Committee (SSLC), which comprises representatives from each of the MSc programmes. This Committee meets each term to provide a forum for students to discuss courses and programmes with staff and to make suggestions on issues that affect the student body as a whole. Termly meetings for 2010-11 will be advertised on Moodle. Programme representatives (two per programme) are chosen by students as early in the Michaelmas Term as possible (end of week 3). It is up to students in each programme to decide how to select these representatives, one of whom will be elected to represent the Department on the Taught Graduate Students’ Forum, convened by the Dean of the Graduate School (Michaelmas Term date to be notified). Names and contact details of student representatives and Agendas and Minutes of SSLC meetings will be published on Moodle.

MCLab (MC408.4) The Department of Media and Communications offers extra study sessions in MC408.4 MCLab . These sessions are optional. They are taught by Graduate Teaching Assistants who are PhD students in the Department. These sessions are available only to students registered on MSc programmes in the Department. Details of how to sign-up are available on Moodle, places are limited and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. These sessions are designed for students with any background and complement those available elsewhere in the School.

LSE Media Group The LSE Media Group is a special interest group set up for and run by LSE alumni who work or have an interest in the media industry. It is active in the UK and in the US. The Group embraces a definition of the media to include advertising, journalism, public relations, new media, entertainment, publishing, marketing and other creative interests. Events will be advertised and may require a small payment as the LSE Media Group is an independent organisation. For more information contact Alice Huang (alice.huang.lse@gmail.com).

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3 The Department’s MSc Programmes and Courses

3.1 Overview

This section provides essential information for pla nning your selection of courses.

The online School Calendar contains official programme documentation. The information given in the Calendar takes precedence over all other sources and should be regarded as the central point of reference: Programme Regulations for each MSc programme: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulation s/regulationsForTaughtMastersDegrees.htm Course Guides for all courses taught in the School, available at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/courseGuides/graduate.htm Code of Good Practice for Taught Master’s Programmes, available at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/codeOfGoodPracticeForTaughtMastersProgrammesTeachingLearningAndAssessment.htm

Programmes and courses in the Department of Media and Communications are theoretical in nature, informed by the intellectual and empirical insights of the teaching staff and the academic field of media and communications. Our courses often may include opportunities to consider how theory and empirical research are applied in particular settings, but we do not offer a sustained practical training of the kind one might expect from, for example, a business or journalism school.

Programme Structure

All the MSc programmes offered by the Department, with the exception of the two-year MSc in Global Media and Communications, run for a year through to submission of the dissertation at the end of August . All programmes except for the MSc in Global Media and Communications can be taken part-time over two calendar years.

Optional Courses

Students will choose option courses to the value specified in their programme regulations, selected from the lists of available options. Courses are taught only once in each academic year (i.e. courses taught in the Michaelmas Term are not offered again in the Lent Term). Consider how your option choices will affect the balance of your workload over the year and be realistic about what you can do in the Michaelmas Term. The Department of Media and Communications cannot guarantee that all options will be available each year.

Teaching

Courses offered by the Department of Media and Communications normally are taught through the combination of a weekly one-hour lecture plus a weekly 1 or 1.5-hour seminar. Lectures may be delivered to large groups of students, depending on the numbers of students who select that course. Seminars normally are taught in smaller groups (unless special permission for larger seminars has been granted by the School) by full-time faculty, LSE Fellows and Guest Teachers. MC408.4 MCLab sessions offering study skills are taught by appropriately trained Graduate Teaching Assistants.

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Outside Options Selection of courses outside the Department requires the approval of the teacher responsible for the course and your Academic Adviser/Programme Director and is normally limited to courses to the value of ONE full unit or TWO half units.

Part-time Study

Part-time students must meet the same requirements as full-time students over two years. It is the responsibility of part-time students to ensure that other commitments allow them to attend their lectures and seminars, complete written assignments and attend examinations. Special arrangements cannot be made. All MSc Programmes in the Department of Media and Communications can be taken part-time over two years except the MSc in Global Media and Communications which is a two year programme. The Department admits a small number of part-time students each year who are encouraged to become as fully integrated as possible into the life of the Department, despite difficulties caused by their other commitments.

3.2 MSc Programme Guides MSc Media and Communications See:

www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScMediaAndCommunications.aspx

MSc Media and Communications (Research) The MSc Media and Communications (Research) provides an advanced research training, enhancing students' methodological and statistical skills and requires a full unit of methods courses. See: www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScMediaAndCommunications.aspx

MSc Media and Communications (Media and Communicati on Governance)

The MSc Media and Communications( Media and Communicati on Governance) requires specific combinations of courses. See: www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScMediaAndCommunicationGovernance.aspx

MSc Global Media and Communications (USC or Fudan)

See: www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScGlobalMediaAndCommunications.aspx

MSc Media, Communication and Development

See: www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScMediaCommunicationandDevelopment.aspx

MSc Politics and Communication

See: www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScPoliticsAndCommunication.aspx

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3.3 MSc Programme Assessment and Feedback MSc Programme Learning and Feedback

Throughout your MSc programme in the Department of Media and Communication, you will receive feedback on a variety of aspects of the development of your understanding of the field of media and communications and on your performance.

• You will receive oral feedback on a one-to-one basis from your Academic Adviser and during group sessions with your Academic Adviser. This feedback may be about your overall learning and progression, on a specific aspect of your development, or on your performance in a specific written assignment.

• You will receive oral feedback during seminars with your seminar teachers as you develop your ideas and participate in seminar activity.

• You will work in small groups on occasion in your seminars, interacting with your peers, giving you feedback on how your learning is progressing.

• You will receive oral feedback on the development of your dissertation ideas from your Academic Adviser (and dissertation supervisor assigned in the LT) and during the dissertation symposium when you meet in a group to discuss your ideas.

• You will receive written feedback on your formative and summative assessment assignments. This written feedback can then be discussed with your Academic Adviser. This will include feedback on formative and summative assignments. You will not receive written feedback on your examination papers.

• You also will receive oral feedback from teachers providing any extra-curricular courses you register for during the year, for example, on essay writing, citation practice or language skills. You will receive feedback from mentors if you choose to engage in internship activities facilitated by the LSE and from the Director of POLIS if you volunteer for internships with POLIS.

Formative and Summative Assessment

You will complete two kinds of written assessment during your MSc programme: formative and summative assessment. The purpose of formative assessment is to support the learning process and to help you to prepare for summative assessment. Formative assessment is based on a short essay and you will receive informal feedback from the course teacher. You will receive a mark to help you to develop analytical and writing skills in preparation for the formally assessed summative essays and/or examinations The purpose of summative assessment is to determine the class of award to be made at the end of the programme of study (i.e. fail, pass, merit, distinction). The marks awarded for summative assessment determine the final course/module mark. Summative assessment is formal and is based either on coursework essays, the dissertation, or on your examination answers. The following provides details about expectations, deadlines, and the requirements for formative and summative assessment.

Formative and Summative Assessment Expectations

Discuss your overall progress and your plans for formative and summative coursework with your Academic Adviser during weekly office hours. The feedback you obtain from course

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teachers in response to the submission of formative assessments will be helpful in planning your summative coursework.

Formative Assessment Students are expected to submit one piece of formative assessment for each MC course for which they register. Formative assessment is set by the teacher for each course and takes the form of an essay of approximately 1,500 words. Feedback will take the form of written comments on the strengths and areas for further development according to the marking criteria. For the Dissertation (MC499), two formative dissertation plans are submitted to your Academic Adviser in the LT and ST. For details of formative coursework format see: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Formative_Assessment_Task.aspx Students are expected to complete advance reading and prepare seminar presentations as required by course teachers and receive oral feedback during the seminars or workshops. If courses are taken in other departments , you must check their expectations for formative assessment. Summative Assessment Each MC-course has a summative assessment either by an examination in the ST or by a coursework essay. Although there are exceptions, generally compulsory courses are assessed by unseen examination so as to encourage you to engage broadly with the course topics; and option courses are assessed by essays to permit you to pursue specialised interests in the course as you wish. The Methods of Research courses (MC4M1/MC4M2) and the Dissertation (MC499) have distinct forms of summative assessment appropriate to the course aims. Essays: For details of summative coursework format for essays including word limits, word counts and submission procedures, see: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Summative_Assessment.aspx

The details apply to all summative coursework submitted to the Department of Media and Communications (all MC-prefixed courses) and need to be followed strictly. Students submitting coursework to other departments should check submission procedures with the teacher responsible for the course. Dissertations (MC499):

The submission date for MC499 Dissertation is the last Friday of August . Full details of dissertation requirements and the supervisory process are set out in the ‘Dissertation Guide’ issued in hard copy during the Michaelmas Term. More information can be found in Moodle by enrolling for MC499. This site contains a selection of dissertations from previous years and research ethics guidelines. Early in the Lent Term, Academic Advisers may be re-allocated in order to provide the best possible match between students’ dissertation topics and academic staff research interests. Dissertation supervision then becomes a major part of the Academic Adviser’s role. Note: no coursework, or substantial parts of course work, can be submitted more than once for assessment , whether for the same or for different courses.

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Research Ethics Policy

The School attaches considerable importance to the maintenance of high ethical standards in research undertaken by its staff and students. This applies to all research undertaken by students in preparation for essays and dissertations. The LSE Research Ethics Policy is at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/researchAndDevelopment/researchPolicy/home.aspx Students need to familiarise themselves with this policy. You will be asked to submit a form to your Academic Adviser in connection with the Dissertation in the Lent Term. Instructions are provided in the department’s Dissertation Guide . Unseen Examinations:

Examination procedures and arrangements are governed by the School, not by the Department. For further information and details of official procedures, students should consult the following links: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/regulationsForTaughtMastersDegrees.htm and http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/Examinations.aspx

Examinations for courses assessed by an unseen examination take place during the Summer Term (May/June) and the timetable is published after the end of the Len t Term .

The Department will request that MC exams are sched uled in the early exam period, from Summer Term Week 2 . The provisional exam timetable will be sent to departments and students on the last day of Lent Term . We cannot guarantee when an exam will take place until this time, but students should be prepared for MC exams in the early period and bear this in mind when writing up MC coursework for submission early in the Summer Term. Students will be able to access final personal examination timetables at LFY at the beginning of the Summer Term.

Students are expected to remain in London and to be available throughout this period. It is not a good idea to make advance travel plans for this time of the year before the final timetable is available.

Formative and Summative Assessment Feedback

Formative Assessment Feedback You will receive timely feedback on your formative assessment. The dates when feedback will be available will be advertised on Moodle Announcements, normally three weeks from submission. Instructions will be available on Moodle to tell you how to access your feedback via LSE for You. You can receive oral feedback from your Academic Adviser and your seminar teacher.

Summative Assessment Feedback

You will receive timely feedback on your summative assessment essays. The dates when feedback will be available will be advertised on Moodle Announcements. Instructions will be available on Moodle to tell you how to access your written feedback and you can receive oral feedback from your Academic Adviser. You will not receive feedback or marks on your answers to unseen examination questions, .

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Formative and Summative Assessment Criteria and Mar ks Assessment Criteria The assessment criteria for your formative and summative work (Distinction, Merit, Pass, Fail, Bad Fail) will be provided during the orientation meeting for your MSc programme. The Department of Media and Communications is committed to transparency and clarity in its assessment criteria. The general assessment criteria are intended as broad guides to the kinds of qualities that examiners will be looking for in written work. Note, however, that assessment of written work is an art and not an exact science. The Department will apply the same general criteria for the different kinds of written assessment although, in the case of unseen written examinations, the restricted time will also be taken into account. Our aim is to encourage and support students to develop a sophisticated knowledge of the subject, the capacity for independent and critical judgment, and the ability to express ideas with clarity. Since our expectation is that students will go beyond the content of the lectures and use the reading lists and other library resources as a basis for an exploration of an area, there are no model answers associated with a given mark.

The assessment scheme for your work for your MSc programme is at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Departmental_Assessment_Regulations.aspx Formative Assessment Marks Formative Assessment is marked according to the same scheme as summative assessment, but these marks do not count towards the formal summative assessment of your course or programme. The formative course work is an opportunity to try out ideas and approaches without the pressure of being ‘examined’. Summative Assessment Marks

Summative Assessment is marked using the same scheme as formative assessment. The provisional marks count towards the formal assessment of your course or programme. These marks are finalised after the course is completed and the Department and School examination boards have met. For details about provisional marks see: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Summative_Assessment.aspx Marking Process and Candidate Number

Each student is given a candidate number that is used to identify his or her summative work (essays, examinations and dissertation) in order that the formal marking process remains anonymous . Your candidate number is a unique 5-digit number (different from your student number) that you must use for any examination, summative coursework, essay and/or dissertation that counts towards your final mark. You are allocated a new candidate number for each academic year you are at the School. Do not provide your 5-digit candidate number alongs ide your name on any piece of work as this will compromise your anonymity. The candidate number can be found on LFY. If you have any queries about your candidate number, contact the Examinations Office - examinations@lse.ac.uk. Do not contact the Department.

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For more information on the marking process, see: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Marking_Process.aspx

Put your name and email address on formative course work that you submit as this will allow your Academic Adviser or seminar teacher to provide your feedback using LSE for You.

Formative and Summative Assessment Deadlines

Formative Assessment Deadlines The deadlines for formative assessment for MC-prefixed courses are normally at the start of Week 6 in MT and LT. Summative Assessment Deadlines The deadlines for summative assessment for MC-prefixed courses are at the start of the term following that in which the course is taught.

Deadlines for formative and summative assessment in the academic year 2010-2011 for the Department of Media and Communication can be found at: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Key_Dates.aspx

Students taking courses in other departments should check the deadlines carefully with the course teacher in those departments.

Formative and Summative Assessment Deadline Extensi ons

Formative Assessment Extensions

Extensions on deadlines for formative coursework may be requested from the course teacher if you encounter specific personal or medical circumstances that may necessitate an extension. Ensure that you obtain approval for this from your course teacher in advance of the deadline. You may also submit earlier than the deadline if you wish.

Summative Assessment Extensions

Extensions for the submission of summative assessment coursework will only be accepted with the express permission of the Chair of the Examination Sub-Board. Email Prof. Terhi Rantanen (t.rantanen@lse.ac.uk) to request any extension for MC-prefixed courses. Course teachers cannot grant extensions. Penalties apply for late submission of summative coursework. If a student fails to submit by the set deadline (or extended deadline as appropria te), the following penalty will apply:

• Five (5) marks out of 100 will be deducted for coursework submitted within 24-hours of the deadline (working days only).

• A further five (5) marks will be deducted for each subsequent 24-hour period (working days only) until the coursework is submitted.

• After 5 working days (and the loss of 25 marks), coursework will only be accepted with the express permission of the Chair of the Examination Sub-Board.

You should anticipate occurrences such as family visits and plan your time taking into account the possibility of computer disc/printer failures, illness etc. and make sure you meet the deadlines.

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3.4 General Guidelines for Formative and Summative Assessment

The following includes general tips and guidelines to help you prepare for submission of your written work and for your unseen examinatio ns.

Time Planning

When choosing option courses try to avoid bunching of summative coursework deadlines. For MC-prefixed courses taken in MT (both optional and compulsory), all summative coursework is due early in LT; coursework for courses taken in LT is due early in ST. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of, and plan for, potentially conflicting deadlines. Having several pieces of coursework due on the same date is not sufficient justification for requesting an extension. See deadlines at: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Key_Dates.aspx

Guidelines for Essay Writing

For each course, choose one of the essay titles provided for the course in Moodle for your formative and summative assessment submissions. Do not amend the essay title unless you have the course teacher’s express permission. Every essay is different and several approaches to the same essay question are acceptable. Base answers to essay questions on sources selected from the reading list, making use of other resources in the libraries to research your essay independently. Note: Wikipedia is not a reliable and acceptable scholarly resource. It is preferable not to refer to course lectures or PowerPoint notes provided with lectures. Good Practices for Citations and Referencing

If you are unsure about ‘when to cite’, ask your Academic Adviser or one of your course teachers.

Within the Department of Media and Communications, any of the main recognised citation styles (e.g. APA 5th, Harvard) if consiste ntly applied will be accepted in formative and summative coursework and dissertation s. For students who wish to use it, the Library supports Endnote software – the online guide is at: www2.lse.ac.uk/library/training/endnote/Endnote.aspx

APA 5 th is the standard favoured by the Department of Media and Communications. However, we are aware that other standards are introduced to students in other courses across the school. When Should You Cite the Literature?

The question about ‘when to cite’ is difficult to answer because it often depends on the context. There are, however, some contexts in which a citation to prior work is essential. • All use of direct quotations from other works (published or unpublished, academic or

other) should be cited together with a page number (for some Web-based materials which are not paginated, ‘no page no.’ should be indicated).

• All use of data drawn from figures, tables, etc., should be cited.

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There are other contexts in which judgement is needed about when to provide a citation to previous work. Normally, if a student is developing an argument derived in some way from the work of someone else, there should be a citation to that earlier work. This should appear close to the location of that discussion in the text. This does not mean that every paragraph must be accompanied by a citation but, in most cases, paragraphs without any citations are rare. The key is to inform the reader about where he/she can go to read the earlier work. It is also important to differentiate between the ideas of others and text which is an expression of your own argument.

LSE Library Resources for Academic Citation Knowing how to cite and reference properly is an important part of academic good practice. It allows you to acknowledge the work of other authors in your field of study and avoid being accused of plagiarism. If students have questions about how to prepare citations in the text of essays or dissertations, or bibliographies, LSE Library courses will be helpful. The Library’s online citing and referencing information is available in Moodle in the Library Companion for Students. This can be found in Moodle > All courses > Library, at http://moodle.lse.ac.uk/ The Library offers citing and referencing classes for LSE students as part of its regular Training Programme. More information at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/library/services/training/Home.aspx If you cannot attend a class see resources at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/library/services/training/citing_referencing.aspx For detailed guidance on how to write an essay and on citation practices see: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Written_Assignment_Guidelines.aspx

Avoiding Plagiarism/Academic Dishonesty

All work submitted as part of your formal coursework requirements must be expressed in your own words and must incorporate your own ideas and judgments. Each piece of work is an individual assignment that is intended to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the current state-of-the-art. Students are required to sign and submit a plagiarism declaration with each piece of coursework. Plagiarism - that is the presentation of another pe rson’s thoughts or words as if they were your own - will be treated very seriously by the Exam Sub-Board and by the School. The formal procedure for dealing with plagiarism is detailed in the LSE Calendar at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/RegulationsOnAssessmentOffences-Plagiarism.htm and for other assessment offences at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/RegulationsOnAssessmentOffencesOtherThanPlagiarism.htm See details on how to cite, passing off work as your own, collaboration with other people, and self plagiarism at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Passing_off_work.aspx Plagiarism detection In order to combat increasing occurrences of plagiarism, the Department uses a plagiarism detection system called Turnitin for all summative coursework. Summative coursework files, submitted electronically to Moodle, will be run through Turnitin and resulting originality reports will be made available to markers.

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Guidelines for Unseen Examination Preparation

Students may decide to form small study groups in preparation for unseen examinations. Students can revise based on previous year’s examinations (for new courses or courses whose content has changed substantially since the previous year, specimen exam papers will be provided). Students are encouraged not to try to memorise model answers. Answers to exam questions are marked using the same assessment criteria as those used for essays and the dissertation. Revision Feedback There are usually no lectures or seminars for students during the Summer Term, but there are revision sessions for examined courses early in the Summer Term. Students will receive oral feedback from seminar leaders on their exam preparation techniques and suggestions about how to answer exam questions. Students are expected to remain in London during this period. Previous Years’ Examination Papers Previous exam papers can be viewed at the LSE Library website at: https://library-2.lse.ac.uk/protected-exam/index.html#postgraduate

3.5 Formal LSE Regulations for MSc Programmes Examination Regulations

The MSc Sub-Board of Examiners in Media and Communications is responsible for the assessment of students on programmes offered by the Department: The Sub-Board of Examiners will normally follow the relevant guidelines in recommending to the Graduate School Board of Examiners (GSBE) the award of MSc degrees in the field of Media and Communications. These guidelines should be read in conjunction with the ‘Taught Masters’ section of the LSE Calendar that deals with Examinations and Assessment (containing rules for late submission of coursework, deferring examinations, illness, assessment offences, appeals, etc) and with the School’s Scheme for the Award of a Taught Masters Degree available at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/TaughtMastersDegreesFourUnits.htm The Scheme for the Award of a Taught Masters Degree should be read in conjunction with the: (i) Regulations for Taught Masters Degree programme s, at

www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/regulationsForTaughtMastersDegrees.htm

(ii) relevant Taught Masters Degree programme regu lations, at

www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/programmeRegulations/taughtMasters/Default.htm (iii) relevant on-line Taught Masters course guides , at

www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/courseGuides/graduate.htm (iv) Code of Good Practice for Taught Masters Prog rammes, at

www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/codeOfGoodPracticeForTaughtMastersProgrammesTeachingLearningAndAssessment.htm

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Deferral of Course Work or Examinations The School requires students to sit all summative assessments in the academic year in which they received tuition. Under certain circumstances the School will allow students to postpone one or more assessments to the next academic year. This process is called 'deferral' . If you believe you have a good reason to defer one or more assessments until the next academic year, you should complete the form entitled ‘Request to defer examinations’ and get the appropriate signature from your Academic Adviser and the chair of the Department’s examination sub-board. The completed form should be returned to the Student Services Centre. It will then be sent for further approval to the chair of the Graduate Studies Subcommittee. A letter confirming the School's decision will be sent to you.

Disability/Dyslexia: Special Examination Arrangemen ts

If you have special needs for your examinations as a result of a physical, medical or psychological condition, you should contact the Disability & Well-being Office as soon as possible and ideally no later than seven weeks before your first examination. Email disability-dyslexia@lse.ac.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7955 7767. Special arrangements agreed in the past have included the use of specialist equipment, extra time, rest periods and special accommodation. You will be required to provide current medical evidence to support your case. Late applications (those made less than seven weeks before your first examination) cannot normally be considered except in very specific circumstances such as sudden injury or illness. Such applications should be made to the Student Services Centre. Mitigation If there are mitigating circumstances, for example: temporary illness, personal difficulties or a bereavement, which you feel may have affected your examination performance and which you want to bring to the attention of the Sub-Board of Examiners, you must write to the Student Services Centre within seven days of your last assessment (i.e. in most cases, submission of the dissertation). For further information, see: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/Mitigation.htm If you are ill immediately before or on the day of an examination you must contact either the LSE Health Service or your own doctor and forward a medical certificate and a letter detailing how the illness has affected you to the Student Services Centre within seven days of your last exam . If you are likely to miss an examination for any reason, including illness, you must contact the student advice and reception manager in the Student Services Centre for further advice. Tel: +44 (0)20 7955 6860 or +44 (0)20 7955 7466. If you are taken ill during an examination, you should tell the invigilator immediately so that the necessary action can be taken to help you. If you choose not to tell the School about circumstances that may have affected your performance, and you believe this may have affected your results, then the only route available to you is to appeal your results. For further information, see: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/RegulationsForTheConsiderationOfAppealsAgainstDecisionsOfBoardsOfExaminers.htm

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LSE Rules on Examination and Award of Degrees

For School regulations on Examinations and Assessment (containing rules for late submission of coursework, deferring examinations, illness, assessment offences, appeals, etc) – see: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/regulationsForTaughtMastersDegrees.htm For the School’s Scheme for the Award of a Taught Masters Degree – see: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/academicRegulations/TaughtMastersDegreesFourUnits.htm Further information about assessment at LSE is also available on the Student Services Centre website at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/Examinations.aspx

Boards of Examiners At the departmental level, each MSc programme, or group of programmes, has a programme-specific Sub-Board of Examiners, made up of the faculty who teach the courses on that programme, and an External Examiner. The programmes offered by the department are assessed or examined by the MSc Sub-Board of Examiners in Media and Communications. At School level, the relevant body is the Graduate School Board of Examiners (GSBE), which ratifies final course marks and overall MSc classifications for all students in the School, having received provisional marks and classification recommendations from individual Sub-Boards. The Department’s External Examiner for the academic year 2010-11 is Professor Justin Lewis of Cardiff University.

Notification of final results

Provisional Marks Provisional summative coursework marks will be released throughout the year. These marks will be released by the department by candidate number only. To preserve anonymity, do not reveal your candidate number to a nyone. Note that provisional marks have no status and may be subject to amendment by the relevant School Board of Examiners. The department has no mechanism for the release of provisional course marks and overall degree classifications in the period between the examinations and the official release of results by the School at the end of November. Please take this into account when planning for the future, and advise potential employers, visa offices, educational establishments, etc., that detailed results are not available earlier in the year. Examination Boards After the External Examiner has approved course marks, the departmental MSc Sub-Board of Examiners in Media and Communications meets, normally in October of each year, to recommend provisional overall MSc awards and classifications. The Sub-Board then sends its recommendations regarding classifications to the GSBE for final ratification.

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Final Course Marks and MSc Classifications

Results for 12 month taught Master’s programmes are considered at the Graduate School Board of Examiners in November and published by the end of that month. At this time students will be able to see their award details only on LFY. Transcripts (showing the marks awarded for individual courses) can be ordered on LFY one week after the date of publication of award details. LSE degree certificates are available for collection on each day of the School’s official presentation ceremonies. If you are not able to attend the presentation ceremony for your degree programme, your certificate will be mailed out to you within 4 weeks of the date of the ceremony. It is important to keep the School informed of any changes of address via LFY. Please note: the School will not release your results if you owe any fees. Check your balance on LFY to see if you have any tuition, halls or library fees outstanding. If you cannot see any outstanding fees on your account, contact the Finance Office on fees@lse.ac.uk for clarification. The department regrets that it is unable to enter into any correspondence with students regarding results, except in the case of students who have failed their programmes. Any formal communication concerning results should be sent to the Student Services Centre according to the instructions at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/examsAndResultsPg/Home.aspx

Failures and Re-sits Students who are not successful in their programmes at the first attempt are entitled to re-sit the failed course(s) in the following academic year. After the formal release of results, the department will write to such candidates with details of which courses/elements of courses they must re-sit. Student Services will automatically re-enter any student who has either failed a course (and is eligible to re-sit it) or deferred entry to the next academic year. Students need to notify the Student Services Centre if they decide not to take up their re-sit. Instructions on how to do this will be sent with the transcript of results. If a student is absent from a re-sit without notifying SSC, this will count as a failed attempt and will be taken into consideration when calculating the final classification. Repeat Tuition: Student Progress Panel If you have failed one or more courses, have not been classified and wish to receive repeat tuition, you need to apply to the Student Progress Panel. Repeat tuition is not granted for any course in which a pass mark has already been obtained. For further information on repeat tuition, please email PG-Spp@lse.ac.uk or call the Student Progress Panel Team on +44 (0)20 7955 7466. For information, see the Student Services Centre at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/examsAndResultsPg/Home.aspx

Presentation Ceremonies

Presentation ceremonies are held in the Peacock Theatre, in Portugal Street, in mid-December of each year for twelve-month MSc programmes. Each ceremony is followed by a reception held at the School for students and their guests, giving the opportunity for you to mix with academic staff from the department and fellow students. For information, see: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentServicesCentre/ceremonies/presentationCeremonies.htm

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Appeals Students who believe they have good grounds for appealing against the decision of the board of examiners should read the ‘Regulations for the consideration of appeals against decisions of boards of examiners for taught courses’ at: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/examsAndResultsPg/Home.aspx and follow the procedure described here. There is no appeal against the academic judgement o f examiners, and no re-marking of papers. This applies to summative coursework and examination scripts and to the provisional and confirmed marks awarded for courses and for individual components of courses. The only grounds for appeal are if (the student believes) an administrative error has occurred in the marking process. Independent and confidential advice on appeals can be obtained from the Students' Union, email su.edwelfare@lse.ac.uk. Appeals Procedure – All students who wish to make an appeal must follow the procedure. Information can be found at: www2.lse.ac.uk/media@lse/study/Handbook/Appeals_Procedure.aspx

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4 LSE Services and Resources for Students

4.1 Learning at LSE

New Arrivals Information and Orientation

The New Arrivals section of the School website provides comprehensive information to help you settle into life at the LSE. The new arrivals pages contain details of all Orientation events taking place at the start of the academic year; including those specific to your department, the Students’ Union Freshers’ Fayre, as well as central School Orientation events. These events are designed to give you essential information to make the most of your time at the School and provide an opportunity to meet other LSE students. The site also includes details of when your registration session will take place and what you need to bring with you to register successfully on your programme. New Arrivals information available includes advice on student mentoring, School support services, opening a bank account and setting up your LSE IT account. See:

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/newArrivals/Home.aspx

Finding Your Way Around LSE The geography of the School can seem complicated at first. There are direction signs spread

around the buildings, and maps and diagrams in various School publications. Maps are available at: www.lse.ac.uk/resources/mapsAndDirections/

Library

Students are expected to familiarise themselves with LSE Library facilities. We encourage you to take one of the Library tours offered in October of each year. See the Library website: www.lse.ac.uk/library/ The Shaw Library: This is a small lending collection of general literature, daily newspapers and magazines, and a substantial collection of recorded music. It is housed in the Founders’ Room on the 6th floor of the Old Building, serving as a quiet room where lunchtime concerts are held. Recommended External Facilities Media and communications students may find it helpful to access reading materials outside LSE. LSE is a part of the University of London with links to some University of London libraries . To research special topics, students are advised to check whether Senate House or the School of Oriental and African Studies libraries hold the required items. Check at LSE Library information desk (first floor). Reference materials can be found in the following libraries close to campus.

Senate House Library Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU tel: 020 7862 8500 email: enquiries@ull.ac.uk www.ull.ac.uk/ Institute of Education Library Institute of Education, University of London, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL ioewebserver.ioe.ac.uk/ioe/index.html

This specialist library is a good source of material:

British Film Institute (BFI) 21 Stephen Street, London W1T 1LN, Tel: 020 7255 1444 www.bfi.org.uk/

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Organising Photocopy Pools

If there are only one or two copies of a book in the Library and the whole class is expected to read a particular chapter, sometimes it can be helpful for students to organise themselves so that everyone can have access to the required reading. If everyone pays a contribution to a 'class' photocopying card, one person each week could make enough copies for all students in the class. The class can split into two or more 'teams' - the first person in Team A and the first in Team B each make two copies. They keep one copy for themselves and pass the second to the next person in their team, who makes one copy and passes the other on, and so on, until everyone has a copy.

IT Services

Students are encouraged to make full use of the School’s computing and word processing facilities. LSE has over 1,000 computers in computer classrooms, open access computer areas around the School and the student residential halls' computer rooms. All public computer rooms and areas have printing facilities. The opening hours of these rooms and areas vary. See IT Services website at: www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/LSEServices/divisionsAndDepartments/itservices/facilities/students/home.aspx The IT Help Desk is located in the Library on the Lower Ground Floor. Details of computer courses for new and continuing students are posted on notice boards. To access IT facilities at LSE you need a Username and Password. Following registration, all students can obtain these from the IT Help Desk. The School offers IT training in word-processing, use of email, spreadsheets, graphics packages and common statistical programmes. See: www.lse.ac.uk/itservices

Student Services Centre (SSC)

The Student Services Centre provides advice and information on the following services • Admissions • Certificates of Registration • Course choice and class changes • Examinations and results • Fees – process fee payments and distribute cheques • Financial Support – Advice on scholarships, awards, prizes, emergency funding and

studentships • Information for new arrivals • Programme Registration • Presentation of Awards Ceremonies • Transcripts and Degree certificates • Visa and immigration advice

The SSC provides a counter service for students at the following times: 10am–5pm every weekday during term time 10am-4pm during vacation. You can also contact the SSC by telephone. Details of who to contact and more information on advice can be found here: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/Home.aspx

English Language Support and Foreign Language Cours es

If English is not your first language, the LSE Language Centre can give you advice and support throughout your time at LSE. The support is free and starts as soon as your Programme starts. There are specific classes for academic units and information sessions are

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held during the first days of term to advise you on the most appropriate classes to take. Classes begin in Week 2 of the Michaelmas Term. See http://www2.lse.ac.uk/language/Home.aspx for information on the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) In-sessional Support Programme . The Language Centre also offers an extra-curricular programme in a range of modern foreign languages which is open to all LSE members. To help you choose the most appropriate course there are a series of information sessions and individual appointments held during the first weeks of term. Courses start in Week 5 of the Michaelmas Term and the cost of a standard course in 2010-11 is £215.00. Please see http://www2.lse.ac.uk/language/Home.aspx for information on the Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Certificate Course Programme .

Student Study Support

The Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) offers study support to all students. There is a series of lectures and workshops throughout the academic year covering essay writing, time management, preparing for exams and dealing with stress, etc. A limited number of one-to-one appointments can also be booked with a TLC study adviser to discuss strategies for quantitative/qualitative subjects or with the Royal Literary Fund Fellow to improve writing style. Email studentsupport@lse.ac.uk or call 020 7852 3627. You are encouraged to register on the TLC Moodle course Learning World (LW) from the beginning of the Michaelmas Term and to check LSE Training (http://training.lse.ac.uk/) for full details of resources and courses to support your learning.

Terminology at LSE For information on the terminology used at LSE please refer to the SSC Glossary of Terms at:

www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/glossaryOfTerms.aspx

4.2 Resources and Support International Student Immigration Service (ISIS)

ISIS can advise you on your immigration options while studying at LSE, for example: • Applying to extend your stay in the UK • Switching immigration categories • Immigration implications if you need to interrupt your studies or retake your exams • Correcting the end date of your visa if there has been a mistake • What to do if your application is returned as invalid or is refused • Registering with the police • What to do if your passport is lost or stolen • Travelling in and out of the UK For more information go to: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/ISIS/Home.aspx

Equality and diversity

The Department and the School are committed to promoting equality and diversity in order to deliver the best possible service to students, staff and the wider community, in accordance with LSE’s Articles of Government. See http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/staff/equalityAndDiversity/equalityAndDiversity.aspx

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Disability Equality (or students with long-term med ical conditions, dyslexia and disabilities)

Disability equality is the responsibility of the whole School. If you are disabled, dyslexic or have a long term medical condition you are entitled to services from the School to facilitate equal access to services and help with your studies. The Disability and Well-being Office (DWO), headed by Nicola Martin, co-ordinates specialist individual assistance, for example, advice from a mental health adviser or dyslexia specialist. You may be entitled to an individual student support agreement (ISSA). This is created by the DWO and outlines relevant reasonable adjustments. It is disseminated to staff within the school, as agreed by you and the DWO, to meet your needs. For further information please visit http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/disabilityOffice/ or email disability-dyslexia@lse.ac.uk.

Chaplaincy The Chaplaincy at LSE is for everyone, of whatever national, political or indeed religious or non-religious background. It is available to all students of any faith, or none, to confidentially discuss anything and everything. See http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/chaplaincy/

Careers Service

The Careers Service is the first place to check for up-to-date information on all events and services: see www.lse.ac.uk/careers for information about fairs and forums, and the JobShop. For information about LSE Internships in parliament, policy and media, see http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEInternships/

Financial Support Office (FSO) LSE expects all students to make adequate arrangements for their maintenance and the payment of their fees before they register. There is no provision to assist students who knowingly register under-funded. Funds are available to assist students who register with sufficient funds for both their tuition fees and living costs but who subsequently experience unforeseen financial difficulties. For information about hardship funds for registered students see: https://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/financialSupport/internal/registeredStudents/supportForRegisteredStudents.aspx For Students’ Union administered funds: http://www.lsesu.com/support For short term loan facility and drop-in sessions, see: www.lse.ac.uk/financialSupportOffice

Interruption / Deferral / Withdrawal

If you experience any difficulties during your time at LSE, you should make sure you keep in regular contact with your Academic Adviser. He/she will be able to help signpost you to appropriate services within the School so that you receive the necessary support hopefully to enable you to continue studying successfully.

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However, with approval from the department you can interrupt your programme by taking an authorised break in your studies, normally from the end of one term, for one calendar year. See: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/RegistrationPg/interruption.aspx Withdrawing means that you are permanently leaving the programme. Before withdrawing you may want to consider interruption so that you have some time to consider your options: See: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/RegistrationPg/withdrawing.aspx If you complete the teaching year but have difficulties during the examination period then in exceptional circumstances you can apply to defer an examination(s) or other summative assessment to the following year. See: http://www2.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/studentServicesCentre/examinationsAndResults/examsAndResultsPg/deferral.aspx

Health and Welfare Services

Medical Centre St Philips Medical Centre is an on campus NHS medical practice available to students living locally to the School. For details see: http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/medicalCentre/Default.htm The Centre also provides dental facilities, an osteopath, an acupuncturist, and more general first aid, vaccination, travel and contraceptive advice. Register online at: https://www.spmc.info/index.asp LSE Student Counselling Service The LSE Student Counselling Service is part of the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) and is located in our main office on the 5th Floor of 20 Kingsway. This free and confidential service aims to enable you to cope with personal or study difficulties that may be affecting you while at LSE. Throughout the academic year, there are also group sessions and workshops concerning issues such as exam anxiety and stress management. For full details, please see http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/studentCounsellingService/ All counselling sessions need to be booked in advance, but there is a limited number of daily emergency slots available. You can make an appointment by email (student.counselling@lse.ac.uk), by phone (020 7852 3627) or by going in to the TLC office (G507). Students' Union Advice and Counselling Service It provides legal advice on housing, immigration, visa extensions, employment problems, welfare benefits, grants, fee status and disability rights. http://www.lsesu.com/support

Adviser to Women Students The Adviser is available to discuss issues of concern to women students in the School and to offer advice and support to women students with personal problems. (Dr Shani Orgad, S110, ext 6493, s.s.orgad@lse.ac.uk)

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Adviser to Male Students The Adviser is available to discuss issues of concern to male students and provides a confidential point of contact. (Dr Jonathan Hopkin, H519, ext 6535, j.r.hopkin@lse.ac.uk) Dean of Graduate Studies (Dr Julian Fulbrook, A202, 020 7955 7574, j.fulbrook@lse.ac.uk or a.donkor@lse.ac.uk) The Dean has a wide range of duties concerned with relations between the School and its students. He is available to any graduate student who wishes to raise any problem, academic or otherwise. He is available for the counselling of individual students who experience difficulties and he can help in the reallocation of students to Academic Advisers. He is a supplementary source of help to the Academic Adviser, the department Director of Graduate Studies and the Head of Department. The Dean will see students by appointment or during his open office hours as published outside his office (A202). Nightline Nightline is a free and confidential listening service run by students for students from 6pm to 8am. http://nightline.org.uk/

Accommodation Office

The LSE Accommodation Office can provide advice on finding accommodation in London for you and your visitors. You can e-mail accommodation@lse.ac.uk, telephone 020 7955 7531 or visit www.lse.ac.uk/accommodation

Alumni Services

LSE's alumni in over 190 countries worldwide provide a lifelong network of support to each other and to LSE. They are a key part of the LSE community and serve the School by making available their time, expertise and networks. They participate in Court, Council and School committees as well as speaking and chairing events and at careers, department and student society events, organising and supporting LSE's alumni country and special interest groups and networks. If you would like to find out more about LSE's alumni, please contact us at: alumni@lse.ac.uk or visit www.alumni.lse.ac.uk/olc/pub/LHE/homepage.cgi

Nursery

LSE runs a Nursery for babies and children of staff and students from six months to school age. Contact the Nursery directly to discuss fees and access/waiting lists. Demand for places is usually very high, see www.lse.ac.uk/collections/nursery/. The University of London Union (ULU) also runs a nursery, contacts at http://www.ulu.co.uk/

Catering Services at LSE See venues and opening hours. www.lse.ac.uk/collections/cateringServices/venues/Default.htm

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4.3 Internships, Events and Activities Internships

Apart from those offered by POLIS (see section 2.4 above), the Department has no formal arrangements for internships but will endeavour to support students who find their own placements. We receive announcements of internships available – these are posted on Moodle. See the LSE Internships web pages at: www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEInternships/

Time Commitment to Studies

Students often ask “How many hours a week should I expect to attend LSE?” This varies according to the programme and courses taken. You will also need to allocate a significant amount of time for work at home or in the library to support the formal hours spent in the classroom. A one-year Master’s programme is very intense and the academic year passes very quickly. Begin serious study from the start of the programme, but you should not panic if you cannot read all the recommended readings in the first few weeks of term.

Volunteer Centre

Many students find volunteering during their time at LSE a great way of making a difference to their local community, meeting new people, devel oping their skills and getting hands-on experience to complement their academic studies. The Volunteer Centre is at the forefront of LSE's engagement with the wider community, see, www2.lse.ac.uk/volunteerCentre/Home.aspx

LSE Students’ Union (SU)

LSE Students’ Union is dedicated to the welfare and representation of its 9,000 students. Responsible not only for representing students, it also runs numerous commercial services, an Advice and Counselling Centre and is home to a vast array of sports clubs and societies. It is responsible for almost every aspect of the social experience at LSE. Every LSE student is a member and with that membership comes the ability to get involved in all aspects of the Students’ Union. With many societies in the Students’ Union, you can be sure that there is something to cater for your interests. The Athletics Union is home to some 30-plus clubs covering a wide range of sports. The Advice & Counselling Centre (ACC) is available if there are problems with courses, exam results, accommodation or immigration. More information at: www.lsesu.com/

Public Lectures and Events Throughout the year special School lectures are open to everyone. See Events and Public Lecture homepage www.lse.ac.uk/collections/LSEPublicLecturesAndEvents/ Events also are advertised on the Department of Media and Communications’ website, Moodle, department notice boards and via email.