Bachelor of Arts in Communications & Multi-Media

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Full-time: 3 years
Awarding Body: HETAC

The Bachelor of Communication & Multimedia is designed to prepare students for careers in the communications industries and combines practical experience in media production with a theoretical understanding of the media, design, culture, and information management. In this way we aim to provide a learning experience in which theory and practice influence and enrich each other. The degree also looks at communication from the perspective of the visual, and its cultural, psychological and technological underpinnings.

 
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Year 1

Semester 1

Introduction to Communication Theory

Introduction to Communication Theory

Students will be introduced to the study of communications, and will gain a thorough grounding in the basic concepts and theories that underlie the study of mass media. This course tracks the history and development of communications has they have evolved throughout the last century. Students will gain insight into the tenets of print and broadcast media, and how the evolution of these mass media communications effect society.
Theory of Film I

Theory of Film I

This module acts as an introduction to the key concepts and terminology of Film Theory. Students will be introduced to key critical and theoretical approaches to a broad range of cinemas. Addressing questions of film style and meaning, spectatorship and issues surrounding narrative analysis, the course aims to illustrate these theoretical concerns via screenings of relevant contemporary film texts. On completion of the module students will be able to engage in analytical discussion of film.
Contemporary Media

Contemporary Media

This course will introduce students to the main elements of the contemporary media landscape. It will grant students a better understanding of our media saturated contemporary world. Students will examine what exactly it is that media is defined as and will explore and analyse various forms of media. Newspapers, Broadcast Media, magazines and books are all investigated as forms of media. Students will understand the role that is played by these various media forms in contemporary society.
Multi-Media Tools & Techniques 1

Multi-Media Tools & Techniques 1

Here, the underlying concepts of digital media and how it is captured, stored and communicated, are introduced to the student. The main hardware and software components of multimedia systems are examined and students will also be given a grounding in networking and mobile communications, enabling the student to leave this course with a broad understanding of multimedia systems and their applications.
IT and Academic Skills

IT and Academic Skills

Students will be given a thorough grounding in the fundamental information technology skills they will require over the course of their degree, including word processing and online research skills. This course will assist in all other areas of the students’ academic life, equipping them with the ability to utilise the correct referencing systems as well as familiarising them with software essential at Third level education.

Year 2

Semester 1

Multimedia Authoring I

Multimedia Authoring I

This course introduces the student to the fundamentals of the Industry standard authoring tool Macromedia Flash. Students will be provided with necessary technical and organisational skills to begin producing multimedia projects using Macromedia’s Flash. This is a practical, hands-on course and with training and supervision, The students will become proficient in creating, managing, integrating, and animating text, graphics, sound, and images within the Flash authoring environment.
Media and Ireland

Media and Ireland

This course is designed to introduce students to issues and concerns surrounding the Irish national media. The evolution of media in Ireland, through press, radio and television, over the last century will be examined. Ireland’s current media landscape and all major institutions within will be analysed to give the student a clearer understanding of Irelands media forms. Students will also be introduced to debates concerning the relationship between Ireland’s national identity and Ireland’s media output.
Camera, Lighting and Sound

Camera, Lighting and Sound

This course acts as an introduction to the practical and technical sides of the film industry. Students will be provided with instruction and assistance in basic skills in technology and camera operation along with essential skills required for lighting for film. The course will also introduce students, and provide training, in the theory and practice of sound in production.
History and Development of Games

History and Development of Games

This course provides a historical and critical approach to the evolution of computer and video game design from its beginnings to the present. Aiming to bring together cultural, business, and technical perspectives on digital gaming, this course will assist the student in gaining insights into the design, production, marketing, and socio-cultural impacts of interactive entertainment and communication. Students should come away from the course with an understanding of all facets of the history of the digital gaming media.
Politics of Representation I

Politics of Representation I

Analysing films from diverse areas of the world, this course interrogates conventional representations of various “minorities” throughout film history. Students will be introduced to key theories that inform Film Theory such as Feminism, construction of masculinity on screen, the representation of gender, race & ethnicity, and sexuality in film and television. Using a wide variety of texts and films, this course will enable students to understand the ideological implications of media stereotyping of minorities & key debates surrounding the issue of alternative identity construction.

Year 3

Semester 1

Current Issues in Irish Media

Current Issues in Irish Media

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an overview of the role of the media in contemporary society with a goal of enabling students to identify the primary influences on news and entertainment. Students will come to understand the complex interplay between media, political and economic power in today’s society. Subjects such as the decline in investigative journalism, the commercialisation of the media and celebrity culture are broached in an effort to illuminate the issues that inform contemporary society’s media.
Editing: Theory and Practice

Editing: Theory and Practice

This course is an examination of the editing process in the film industry. Over the semester, students will engage with both the theoretical and practical aspects within the field of editing. Students will be introduced to the key theoretical concepts of editing, will understand the role of the editor and analyse the works of editing greats, before being given hands-on instruction in the basic elements of Final Cut Pro - industry standard editing software.
Contemporary Society

Contemporary Society

Throughout this course students will become familiarised with the basic workings of Irish politics and will come to see the importance of being aware of political institutions for those working within the media. The relationship between politics and media will further be explored in the context of Ireland’s place within the European Union and how European media policy has affected our own. Contemporary issues in Irish society, such as racism, social inclusion and religion will also be assessed from a media standpoint.
Multimedia Games

Multimedia Games

Students will become familiar with the process of game design and development. Through critical analysis of well known games, students will be come to understand the fundamental principles that underpin game design. As well as developing the analytical skills needed to critique games, students will also gain practical experience of game design through assignment work throughout the course.
Multi Media Authoring II

Multi Media Authoring II

Building on the knowledge gained in Multimedia Authoring I, this course introduces the student to the fundamentals of the Industry standard authoring tool Macromedia Director. The students will familiarise themselves with the entire workings of Director, assessing its strengths and weaknesses, on the way to becoming proficient in creating, managing, integrating, and animating text, graphics, sound, and images within the Director authoring environment.

 

Year 1

Semester 2

Introduction to Media Technologies

Introduction to Media Technologies

Through this course, students will be introduced to the numerous debates surrounding the complex relationship between media and society. Issues such as news ethics, the effects of globalisation of the media, censorship and violence, media consolidation and corporatisation of the media are all tackled, developing understanding of the power of the media within contemporary society. An ability to articulate both the positive and negative aspects to the proliferation of the media will be gained.
Digital Imaging

Digital Imaging

Here, students will be introduced to the principles, practices, technologies, history, and critical frameworks associated with digital imaging. Students will become accustomed to design studio methodology appropriate to digital media and will be provided with a grounding in the creative and technical aspects of image capture, editing and manipulation for use in new media. During this course, students will develop skills in the use of Photoshop, Illustrator, and related software for image/graphic/artwork preparation for multimedia authoring.
Theory of Film II

Theory of Film II

Building on the foundations laid by Film Theory I, this module examines in more specific detail the various disciplines that inform Film Theory. Areas such as psychoanalysis, Marxism, feminism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, cultural studies and postmodernism, and how they relate to the study of film, are all utilised to illuminate the theoretical framework of the study of film.
Website Development

Website Development

This course explores the basic concepts behind website development. Website design and maintenance, as well as an examination of website authoring software, are of paramount importance in this course. Students will become familiar with web standards and will be enabled to design, develop and maintain static websites using HTML, CSS, and web authoring applications such as Macromedia Dreamweaver.
Introduction to Radio & Radio Production

Introduction to Radio & Radio Production

This module is designed to introduce students to the concepts and methodologies behind the production of radio. Students will be educated in the pressure of radio production and will be given the basic skills required to design, record and edit short items for the radio. After mastering the basic skills, students will be afforded the opportunity to record their own project, and edit their recordings using industry standard software.

Year 2

Semester 2

The Politics of Representation 2

The Politics of Representation 2

An extension of Politics of Representation I, this course is designed to stimulate discussion & deeper understanding of key critical concepts, methods & debates relating to the politics of representation, providing students with a platform for more in-depth examination of issues & debates raised in Politics of Representation I. In specific, it will examine later developments in Feminist film theory and Queer theory, as well as paying particular attention to the construction of “Irishness” on screen.
Audio: Theory, Tools & Techniques

Audio: Theory, Tools & Techniques

This course is designed to introduce students to the basic practicalities of recording and editing digital audio and to give grounding in industry standard software. Students will also be given a theoretical understanding of the underlying concepts behind digital audio and midi technology. With both the practical and theoretical elements of audio recording covered, students are enabled to prepare digital audio for multimedia projects and the internet.
Media, Law & Ethics

Media, Law & Ethics

This course is designed to give students a broad overview of the regulatory and legal environment for media in Ireland. Students will familiarise themselves with legal issues, pertinent to contemporary Irish media, such as libel, defamation and contempt of court. Throughout this course, students will become aware of the workings of the Irish Constitution and it’s relevance to all working in Irish media. Also, students will develop an awareness for, and ability to spot, the main legal issues for broadcast and print media.
Video Workshop

Video Workshop

This module is a practical look at the workings of the film industry. Embracing various different disciplines it offers the student an overview of every phase of production on a film. The mechanics of screenwriting, the art of directing for film, and an examination of the production process are all explored. This module acts as a workshop, allowing for hands-on learning in areas such as lighting and Camera. Each student will be required to use the theoretical and practical aspects to produce their own film project at the end of the module.
Broadcasting Culture

Broadcasting Culture

This course provides students with an overview of the evolution of broadcasting in Ireland, offering an informed perspective on both the historical traits of Irish broadcasting and the current broadcasting environment in Ireland. Students will be made aware of the most significant elements of pertinent broadcasting legislation in an examination of Irish media policy, as well as tackling issues such as audience viewing habits, public service broadcasting and Irelands place in media globalisation.

Year 3

Semester 2

Animation

Animation

This course is designed to introduce students to the key principles of animation, which will be reinforced via intensive hands-on training as students will be supervised as they animate their own projects in Flash. Coupled with this hands-on practical work, students will also be engaged theoretically on the role of the animator in contemporary media and become aware of all concepts concerning animation today.
News, Journalism, Documentary

News, Journalism, Documentary

The fundamental aspects of newsgathering will be examined on this course. This course will also impart an understanding of the political economy of journalism and a heavy emphasis will be placed on exposing the constructed nature of news and documentary. The ethics of journalism and the power the media has through various forms of propaganda and censorship will all be broached on this course.
Multi-Media Authoring

Multi-Media Authoring

Building on from the experience gained in previous Multimedia Authoring classes, this module is designed to afford the students to work in groups on a major multimedia project, to be developed in either Flash or Director. The project management skills needed to produce a major multimedia project will be developed, enabling students to participate in structured and reliable production techniques, by stepping through product life cycle from brief to delivery.
Advanced Camera

Advanced Camera

An in depth look at the practical and technical elements of shooting a film. Students will receive hands-on training and supervision in areas of Camera, Lighting and Sound. The module contains workshops for both Camera and Lighting techniques as well as an introduction to the theory and practice of sound in post-production using Pro Tools. Each student will be required to work as part of a team to produce their own projects at modules end.
Lighting and Sound Media

Lighting and Sound Media

An in depth look at the practical and technical elements of shooting a film. Students will receive hands-on training and supervision in areas of Camera, Lighting and Sound. The module contains workshops for both Camera and Lighting techniques as well as an introduction to the theory and practice of sound in post-production using Pro Tools. Each student will be required to work as part of a team to produce their own projects at modules end.
Law and Ethics

Law and Ethics

This course is designed to give students a broad overview of the regulatory and legal environment for media in Ireland and international media. Students will familiarise themselves with legal issues, pertinent to contemporary global and Irish media, such as libel, defamation and contempt of court. Throughout this course, students will become aware of the workings of the Irish Constitution and it’s relevance to all working in Irish media. Also, students will develop an awareness for, and ability to spot, the main legal issues for broadcast and print media.

 

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Communications and Multimedia

 

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