BA (Hons) Digital Media Bachelor's degree at Lancaster University

What does it mean to study media today? In this module, you’ll be introduced to major debates, theories and thinkers in studying media and culture. You will encounter a diverse range of material from different media, including: television, film, news, advertisements, social media, video games and more. You will explore the intersections between our cultural environment and our identities, aspirations, beliefs and value systems, to develop essential skills in critical thinking and analysis.

Digital media both displaces and complements ‘traditional’ media, in ways that complicate the current media landscape and challenge some of our most fundamental media concepts.?This module explores how this happens through the integration of “old” and “new” media and ongoing transformations in the media industries. We examine how relations between consumers and producers are changing as the boundaries of media cultures are shifting, producing intercultural exchange but also fragmentation and radicalisation.?This module invites students to investigate their everyday digital media use and reflect on the expansion of digital media, its potentials and its pitfalls.

Does AI kill creativity or encourage it? Or how do emerging media transform the meaning of creative expression? What kinds of histories of media forms and cultures are informing current digital media and where can we spot their forgotten predecessors? While public debate alternates between celebrating and lambasting the impact of digital media and AI on creativity, this module introduces you to various aspects of this complex and evolving relationship. You will explore the distinctiveness of media forms as well as their social and cultural contexts, taking an interdisciplinary journey that brings together different approaches, offered to you by a team of experts from across the School of Art

Media do not just reflect identities, but play an active role in bringing them into being. In this module, you will consider the role our screens – in all their many forms – play in producing our sense of self and the world around us. From selfies and avatars to being the subjects of film or advertisements, our ‘mediated selves’ cannot be avoided. How do we use media to represent and transmit a sense of ourselves to others? In what ways does self-representation allow us to assume and feel agency in our lives, and to connect with other selves? What does it mean to be shaped by media culture? You will critically engage with various media forms to understand their influence on identity formatio

Providing you with a solid grounding in art history, this module will take you on a journey, from the modernist period to the present day. Beginning with the emergence of Modernism in Europe, you will follow its impact in the United States, China, India, South America and beyond. You will learn about alternative and under-represented histories that challenge mainstream thought, whilst exploring how artists have responded to pressing societal issues such as: Post-colonialism Equal rights Gender identity Digital revolution Environmental crisis These movements will be explored through a range of themes that relate to creative practices such as time, space, light, text and juxtaposition, helping

This module brings together two essential areas: understanding consumers and crafting effective communications. You will explore the different factors that influence the consumer decision-making process, understanding how and why people engage with specific products, services and brands. Additionally, you will learn how marketers use communication strategies, branding and media channels to build meaningful connections between brands and their target customers.

This enlightening module explores how design both shapes and is shaped by the world. You will examine key moments in modern design history, considering the historical, social, political, cultural and technological forces that influence design as a discipline and practice. Through interactive lectures, practical activities and critical discussions, you will investigate how design responds to global challenges, drives innovation and reflects societal change. From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Age, this module deepens your understanding of design’s evolving role in society, the economy and the environment. This essential knowledge forms a foundation for thoughtful, critical, informed

In this module you'll explore the dynamic relationship between media, society, and culture, examining how media influences and reflects cultural norms, identities, and power structures. You’ll consider the material, social and institutional contexts in which media forms have been produced, and think about the role of the media in creating communities, and both reproducing and tackling social inequalities. This module provides you with the skills to navigate complex debates about media and culture as you progress with your studies

This module provides a broad and comprehensive introduction to marketing, giving you a solid overview of how marketing works in a business context. You will be introduced to key marketing concepts, including: Customer value Segmentation Targeting Marketing communications This will give you a great foundation for understanding how organisations use marketing to connect with audiences and grow their business. The insights gained from this module will help you think more strategically in any business role.

Exploring how sociology can contribute to real-world change, this module focusses on the role of public sociology in addressing social inequalities, informing policy and engaging with communities. You will examine how sociological research can shape public debates, influence decision-making and be used as a tool for activism. Through case studies and practical activities, you will learn how sociologists communicate their work beyond academia, whether through media, policy engagement, or grassroots initiatives. The module will also encourage you to critically reflect on the ethical and political dimensions of public sociology. On completion, you will have a deeper understanding of how sociolog

How do sociologists decide what to study and how to study it? This module introduces you to key debates in sociological research, exploring how different perspectives shape the questions we ask and the methods we use. You'll examine objective vs subjective positions, as well as feminist and decolonial critiques that have challenged traditional research approaches to sociological research. Through discussions and exercises, you'll begin to develop your own research interests and approach, reflecting on what it means to conduct sociological enquiry. By the end of the module, you’ll have a solid foundation in the principles of sociological research and a clearer sense of how to turn your questi

Design is a dynamic and creative problem-solving process with distinct stages. In this module you’ll immerse yourself in this process and engage with it in a hands-on way. You will develop essential creative and analytical skills and build your confidence in: Conducting research Generating insights Exploring possibilities Prototyping Testing Refining ideas into innovative solutions Observation and documentation are key to good design, so you will learn methods such as: User shadowing Fly-on-the-wall observation Journey mapping to uncover behaviours, needs and opportunities This module encourages experimentation, iteration and critical thinking, fostering adaptability and resilience, key attri

This module explores the role of the arts in building community, identity and confidence. You will engage with a variety of different art forms (such as painting, theatre, fiction, designed artefacts and film) and develop your own voice via collaborative projects such as a podcasts, video essay or presentation. You will also engage in individual critical reflection for example via a blog, journal or research project. This module fosters co-operation, intellectual experimentation and self-assurance.

This module provides you with the conceptual tools to think critically about how digital worlds operate. It opens up fundamental questions about how digital technologies produce worlds: How do digital technologies and infrastructures organize and govern nearly all domains of life, from education, finance, and health care to security and war? How do digital technologies provide particular ways of seeing such domains through datafied and algorithmic framings, configuring certain problems, risks, and opportunities? Who or what is in control in a digital world? What kinds of lives are normalized and what kinds of lives are becoming marginalized or impossible? On this module you will explore a ra

This module aims to prepare you for the final year of study, when you conduct your own personal research project. You will be guided through the skills and techniques needed to design, execute, present, and reflect upon academic research. This includes how to: formulate research questions how to write literature reviews how to choose appropriate methodologies and datasets how to interpret data how to conduct ethical academic research

This module explores how digital technologies, in their multiple forms, figure in our everyday lives and the global societies we live in. This includes social media platforms, search engines, publicly available artificial intelligence chatbots as well as the multitude of apps that mediate every aspect of our lives, from access to news and information to dating, food and consumption, education, and professional life. We will analyse the affordances of digital technologies in connection to questions of power, context, and embodiment. This module will stimulate you to start seeing how media and technology do more than transmitting messages and information. Instead, they have an ontological role

Building on the relationship between theoretical understanding and artistic practice, this module will introduce you to a broad range of theories and ideas relevant to contemporary art practice and thinking. You will explore ideas such as: New materialism Fourth and fifth-wave feminisms Object-oriented philosophy Posthumanism The Anthropocene Hauntology The relations that exist between art and science Join us as we combine intellectual rigour and curiosity with the freedom to confidently explore your creativity from an increasingly informed position. You will be encouraged to explore different forms of writing that enable you to develop ideas and express yourself in a range of appropriate fo

This module will support your learning of how marketers and advertising agencies develop strategies to engage with their target customers. You will explore how brands use digital tools and platforms to transform the way they connect with us, and how data is used to shape campaigns, target consumers, create personalised experiences and evaluate marketing performance. You will also reflect on emerging ethical issues such as privacy, data responsibility and the social impact of digital communications.

Explore how gender identities and sexualities are constructed, normalised, and navigated in relation to media and popular culture. Drawing on feminist and queer media research, we examine how representations in the media play a role in reinforcing gender binaries and heteronormative social roles and identities, focussing on how media and popular culture have been co-opted as a space of creative resistance. The module takes an intersectional approach, examining gender and sexuality within complex relations of class, race, ethnicity, dis/ability and age. We examine these questions by engaging with a wide range of spaces and platforms including film, television, fashion, music, public space, an

Introducing you to a diverse range of theoretical perspectives from around the world, this module will analyse how different social theories help us understand the emergence and transformation of our societies. Through exploring these theories’ historical contexts and contemporary relevance, you will engage with key debates on topics such as capitalism, class, colonialism, globalisation and social reproduction and examine how these issues are theorised across different intellectual traditions. Encouraging you to think critically about the connections between theories and the contexts in which they develop, you will foster a global and comparative approach to sociological thought. Through clo

Peter Drucker, one of the core founders of marketing thinking, once said business is about two things: marketing and innovation. This module introduces you to the core principles of innovation as well as the development processes and theories behind bringing new offerings to market. You will consider how businesses can both respond to and shape changing consumer needs and decision-making.

A fascinating introduction to the principles and practices of design, you will create meaningful interactions between people and digital or physical products, services, and systems. Developing both theoretical and practical skills, you will learn to design intuitive, engaging, and effective interactive experiences. Through creative exercises, you will explore design methods including wireframing, prototyping (both paper-based and digital), and iterative testing. You will learn to identify interaction strengths and weaknesses to continuously improve your designs. Emphasising responsible design practices, we will teach you to craft interactions that not only meet functional requirements but al

Find your critical voice on this module and think and learn to communicate like a media and cultural critic. You will look at how to take key theoretical frameworks and set these to work through the analysis of contemporary media and cultural phenomena. You will deploy a range of critical approaches, taking into account historical and critical contexts, and the varied texts, audiences and producers we are working with.

This module investigates how information systems are transforming modern organisations, work, and society. You will explore the significant impacts of digital technologies, focusing on key areas: shaping organisational culture analysing system successes and failures navigating the ethical dimensions of information technology addressing digital inclusion and exclusion Using interactive case studies and key readings, you will dissect complex technological challenges facing contemporary organisations. You will learn to identify crucial technological developments, evaluate the consequences of implementing new systems, and develop appropriate management responses. This module will sharpen your cr

Our everyday lives are saturated by images of all kinds. This module will introduce you to some key ‘ways of seeing’ our world of images. We will explore questions such as: How are images made, who gets to produce them and, importantly, from whose point of view? How do pictures circulate? How do viewers read and interpret images? Who gets to look and through whose eyes? How do these processes and practices relate to power? We’ll consider these questions in relation to a range of media texts, from photographs and advertisements to television and film.

The future of state-funded welfare is one of the most pressing social questions of our time. This module explores the history, purpose and politics of welfare states, examining what social welfare is, who it is for and how it should be funded and delivered. You will consider the social and political debates that have shaped social welfare and trace their development over time. Topics covered may include education, health, housing, social security and unemployment. You will explore how welfare systems are funded, managed and organised and analyse the impact of social welfare cuts on poverty and social inequality. The module also examines the moral and political tensions within welfare debates

Hone a strong sense of purpose and gain the satisfaction of applying your skills and knowledge to a community, charity or student-led initiative. Your challenge will be to take responsibility for arranging and completing a voluntary or fundraising activity, locally, virtually or during vacation periods at home. You will need to show that you have made a positive difference through this activity. In class, you will be asked to reflect on this experience and explore the wider social impact of the work. In doing so you will build your confidence in your ability to contribute meaningfully to society through your future personal and professional path.

Explore how ideas can be developed into real-world projects with lasting value. Through hands-on collaboration and problem-solving, you will develop innovative projects, learn how to bring ideas to life and explore ways to sustain them. Whether you are working in a team or individually, you will be encouraged to experiment with different approaches to making a difference in artistic, cultural, social and community spaces.

What will our digital future look like? How could AI transform global societies? What media will we watch, listen to, wear, be tracked by, or collaborate with – whether in smart cities, virtual workplaces, or even in outer space? These are the big questions that this module will explore, addressing how past visions of technological futures inform the speculative digital landscapes we imagine today. This module examines the social, cultural, and political implications of these technologies, addressing issues such as personalisation, surveillance, platform governance, and digital inequalities. You will explore critical debates on issues such as automation, data governance, digital labour, and

In this module, you will undertake an in-depth study on a topic of your own choice. The module is designed as a culmination of your learning journey on the programme, and to undertake the research, you will draw on the knowledge you have gained throughout your studies. You are expected to conduct your final project independently, with the support of an allocated academic supervisor, and will demonstrate skills in designing, planning, managing, and producing a substantial piece of work. The final project may focus on academic literature, empirical research, or incorporate elements of media practice.

How has the experience of being part of a media audience transformed in recent years? How do we make sense of being a fan nowadays? In what ways do fan culture and audience community manifest social transformations on both local and global scales? This module aims to provide you with a critical understanding of fandom and audiences in a global and transnational context. The module will focus on issues such as participation, pleasure, performance, and power by investigating fan culture and audience communities of a wide range of transmedia texts in a global perspective. You are encouraged to analyse the multi-layered dynamics between individual fan, fan community, audience participation, medi

Creatively blending design, leadership and innovation, this module will explore design and systems thinking to help you become an agent of change. As you prepare to graduate, this module will enable you to develop your unique design leadership approach and communicate your design vision and values. You will learn key principles of design management, design and product development processes and tools for designing sustainable business models, to help you transform creative ideas into impactful solutions. With a forward-thinking approach, you will explore the diverse future roles of designers as well as learn to create and communicate a strong value proposition, positioning design as a key dri

Current environmental crises demand urgent sociological attention. This module explores key sociological theories and methods for understanding environmental change, justice and sustainability. You will examine how social structures, cultural practices and economic systems shape environmental problems, and how they might be transformed to create more just and sustainable futures. Topics may include: The changing relationships between humans and animals The sociological study of consumption and waste The social lives of objects How climate change exacerbates inequalities How communities respond to environmental disasters like storms and floods Throughout the module, you will critically engage

In this module, you’ll delve into the structure, function, and evolution of ‘traditional’ and digital media industries, ranging from journalism and consumer industries to streaming services and online content creation. You will consider the economic, cultural, and technological forces driving these industries, and their societal impact. You’ll debate the role of media regulation and policy in shaping the ever-changing media industries today.

‘The body’ is a key site of both control and resistance in media culture. This module explores how media representations, cultural norms, and societal structures shape perceptions of the body, identity, and agency. Thinking about body politics through an intersectional lens, you’ll critically examine issues like gender, sexuality, race, disability, class, and body type, unravelling the intricate connections between media and the lived experience of the body. We’ll think about what kinds of bodies fit social and cultural norms, how these norms are circulated and embedded in the public imaginary, and whether bodies can be re-imagined as sites of resistance.

This module critically examines the relationship between technology, power, and society. You will challenge the conventional view of technology as a neutral force, exploring its profound impact on work, organising, and social inequalities, including those related to gender, race, disability, and coloniality. You will investigate the complex interaction between technological development and societal structures. You will learn to analyse dominant narratives surrounding technology, examining diverse perspectives. A key focus will be on developing your ability to critically examine the discourses and applications of technology. This will encourage you to question your own assumptions and those o