MA Inquiries/ApplicantsThe Centre for Communication, Media and Society(CCMS)
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban
MA INQUIRIES/APPLICANTS
This
document is intended to assist MA applicants in making appropriate
decisions with regards to selection of degree, location of study, and
Programme choice. Students profess all kinds of reasons for wanting to
register for an MA. While many of these are relevant, many are not. We
have thus composed the guidelines below in an attempt to assist
applicantsin assessing whether or not the MA is really relevant for
them. The guidelines will also assist potential applicants to assess
whether CCMS is an appropriate place for study in terms of their own
career plans and academic objectives.
KEY QUESTIONS
a)
Why does the applicant want to study for an MA? If practical
problem-solving skills are the objective, university of technology study
might be the better option. MA study develops problem-solving
approaches through developing theoretical and methodological skills. The
prime emphasis of the CCMS course as a whole is on developing
conceptual expertise. The objective is for students to Master the
relevant literature via methodological application.
b)
Does the applicant appreciate that an MA is as much a socialisation
process as it is about mastering a specific area of study? This is one
of the reasons for CCMS organising its work in terms of themed projects
and team research based in the Programme itself. This is also the
reason why we require full-time study of students.
c)
The entry threshold for consideration of applicants is an aggregate
minimum of 65% in the applicant’s previous degree. We also look at the
median mark attained over the applicant’s entire academic career. The
standard against which the 65% is assessed is that established in CCMS’s
own courses.
IF THE APPLICANT CAN SHOW EVIDENCE OF THE ABOVE, THEN S/HE NEEDS TO ASK:
a) Is CCMS the appropriate place for study? Browse our website: (https://ccms.ukzn.ac.za)for clarification:
i)CCMS research is based on some quite specific logical and
epistemological orientations. Do applicants understand the full
significance of theses?
ii)`Media’, `communication’ and `cultural studies’ have certain very
specific logical implications for us, which may or may not apply in
other contexts, other departments and other universities. Are applicants
aware of these differences, and how they might impact their own
objectives?
iii)Is the applicant familiar with CCMS’s work, its theoretical
emphases, and its research orientations? Is the applicant’s preferred
topic sufficiently localised?
iv)While professional (and technical) experience is always an added
value, it is not always a reliable indicator of ability to handle dense
and deep sets of concepts, theories and methods. The `master’ part of an
MA may draw on aspects of one’s media or cultural experience. But
preparing and completing an MA dissertation requires finding abstract
conceptual connections in, and gaining knowledge of, the field as a
whole. This is a task which requires much more than `making media’,
claiming an essentialistic knowledge of `culture’, or simply summarising
the existing literature.
An
MA concentrates on the acquisition of critical expertise, the
development of problem-solving skills at the conceptual level, and a
systematic ability to question prevailing assumptions, myths and
ideas.For example, a dissertation on new media requires more than just a
celebration of emergent technology and what it can do. What is required
also is a critique of the impacts of that technology on processes like
globalisation, political economy, users/audiences, democratisation and
resistance, and so on. This entails a `critique’ that is vastly more
rigorous than advanced media, film, literature or art criticism. CCMS
takes the Kantian and Marxian conceptions of `critique’ very seriously,
and experience has shown that this can come as something of a shock to
students for whom `critique’ and `criticism’ are synonymous!
v)MA candidates need to choose the programme best suited to their
objectives, rather than trying to push a conveniently located programme
into areas in which its professors have little knowledge or expertise.
On these grounds, we prefer applicants who are prepared to undergo the
coursework in order to get exposure to the CCMS theoretical and
methodological orientation.This ensures that students get the best
introduction to the analytical, critical and research methods they will
take into their professional careers. Full thesis registrations will be
considered where applicants reveal clear evidence knowledge of the
field, research methodology, and who have an Honours degree of high
standard.
b)
Is the applicant able to study full-time? CCMS does not accept distance
students. Part-time study for CCMS means that students participate in
the normal CCMS daily schedule along with the full-time day students.
See the attachment which deals with part-time registration.
c)
Does the applicant understand social research methodology? Applicants
must be able to demonstrate awareness of how to apply theory in research
practice. Did the applicant’s Honours and previous degrees prepare
him/her for a research degree?Degrees with a prime emphasis on
technical skills, or which lack courses in theory, research methods and
the philosophy of science are unlikely to adequately equip students for
MA type study. Please note that a four year bachelors is not considered
to be the same equivalence of a BA (Hons). Neither is a four year degree
from a polytechnic, technikon or university of technology necessarily
equivalent to a university qualification. Applicants from such
institutions, if accepted to CCMS study, may be required to undertake
additional studies to prepare them adequately for a graduate degree in
an academic institution.
d)
Does the proposed MA topic fit into one of CCMS’s integrated research
themes?Will the topic add capacity and depth to this already ongoing
institutionally-based team research? If it does not, then we are
unlikely to accept the applicant,regardlessofthe excellence
ofhis/her credentials. Please read the CCMS website for further
information on our research directions, expertise and research themes
(go to “Courses”, click, and scroll down the menu to “Research Themes”).
For logistical and other reasons CCMS is unable to consider unrelated
or individualistic topics which have no direct relation to an already
wide, but thematically and theoretically integrated, variety of
preferred research themes. This stipulation relates to the availability
of suitable supervisory expertise, the nature of team research, and
encouragement of peer support.
e) Is the candidate highly competent in writing in English?
f)
Does the applicant have sufficient funding support to be able to
complete the MA? MA candidates sometimes drop out because they are
unable to finance their studies, and/or because they have other pressing
financial responsibilities which keep interrupting their research.
Students need to also budget for expenses incurred in their research and
writing up of their dissertations. Depending on the project, the costs
can be quite high. Students must assume that research costs are for
their own account.Research costs incurred by students are not covered
by fees or other levies, though on occasion a themed research area might
have some funds attached to it. Students need to budget for books,
photostats, interlibrary loans, module readers, transport, food,
accommodation and other requirements. International Students are
required to pay specific levies (see attachment on fees for
international students).
What
is included in the fees is access to the University LAN and the
Internet, the World Wide Web, the Library and other student service
divisions (including psychological and career counselling, a University
clinic which offers primary health care, an AIDS treatment programme,
law clinic, intercampus shuttle service, security and escort security
etc.). The School needs to be assured that candidates have appropriate
levels of funding support in place.
Other Applicants
Applicants
who do not have a Bachelor of Honours degree but who have a prior 4th
year qualification may apply under Senate Rule Gr7(b) which offers a
mechanism for exception. Such applicants will need to motivate clearly
why they want to apply for the MA degree and explain the relevance of
their previous diploma or degree to the course for which they want to
apply. The application should be lodged with the CCMS Postgraduate
Administrator, and if considered eligible, the application is forwarded
to the School Higher Degree and Research Committee, the Head of School,
and from there it goes to the Graduate Office for consideration under
the auspices of Deputy Dean (Research).
If
successful, it is then considered by the Academic Affairs Board, which
makes the final decision.In the event of acceptance, Board may
stipulate particular requirements for registration, which may include
registration (or auditing) of specific graduate modules relevant to the
thesis topic. Or, the University may require the applicant, if accepted,
to first register for the Honours degree as an entry mechanism to a
second year of study at the MA level.The usual application and
selection procedures would apply at both points. This will be done on a
case by case basis. This is a lengthy bureaucratic process so the
relevant applicants need to apply early with full documentation.
Application Procedure
If
the answers to all of the above are positive, then you might consider
applying to CCMS.What we require from such applicants is the
following:
a) A detailed CV highlighting your research (and professional) experience.
b)
A detailed one page motivation arguing why you want to study at
CCMS, and how your proposed project will add value and capacity to the
Programme’s ongoing teaching and research work.
c)
Three academic references to support your candidacy (for applicants
who are not graduates of the UKZN media programmes).
d) A set of certified true transcripts of your previous degrees.
e) Any other documentation which will support your application.
f) A copy of a recent essay, thesis or published academic article.
A
CCMS staff committee will then assess the submitted documents and make a
decision on applications. This decision will be forwarded to the School
for its attention.
Professor K.G.Tomaselli
Director of Research andAcademic Coordinator
The Centre for Communication, Media and Society
