CK3S21 - Transmedia and Media Convergence 12 Feb 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: CK3S21
Module Title: Transmedia and Media Convergence
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Film and TV
Faculty Sub Group: Film and TV
Module Leader: Rebecca Williams
Module Team: James Rendell, Gwyneth Moore
First Intended Intake: SEP 2020 Final Year of Intake: 2025
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100444 - media and communication studies
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 12 Feb 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

Transmedia entails ‘integrating multiple texts to create a narrative so large that it cannot be contained within a single medium’ (Jenkins, 2006: 95). The module aims to introduce the key definitions, debates and theories surrounding transmedia and convergence culture, drama through analysis of key examples, understanding of production conditions, and consideration of the policies and professional landscapes that shape contemporary media. The module encourages critical thinking and evaluation and requires students to critically reflect on how the concept of transmediality has been defined and discussed by different groups for competing purposes.

Content Summary

The purpose of this module is to offer a theoretical study of transmedia texts, branding and audiences through a critical lens. It focuses on the key concepts of transmediality and convergence culture across different platforms, and media industries and explores transmedia narratives and content production, branding and marketing, audience responses, and digital content. The module explores a variety of media including film, television, comics, videogames and audience produced content, and case studies from global Hollywood cinema, contemporary television production, and branded themed interactive spaces.

Topics may include: defining transmedia and convergence culture; Anglo-American perspectives; International, transnational and Global perspectives; advertising, branding and promotion; world-building and storyworlds; transmedia television; the history of transmedia; transmediality and space/place; transmedia, convergence and factual genres; transmedia literacy; audiences/fans and convergence culture.

Finally, this module: a) will adhere to, and engage with, all ethical considerations (as laid out in this document – see ‘H. Ethical Issues’, above); b) when and where appropriate, it will make full use of Faculty-wide teaching expertise and technical support in its endeavour to fully integrate practice with theory.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 18
Seminar 18
Independent Study 92
Directed Study 72
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Critically evaluate transmedia texts and elements of convergence culture through the lens of audiences, industry, and creators.
LO2 Demonstrate their visual research and analytical skills by producing a project proposal for a Transmedia experience, with knowledge and appropriate use of relevant academic and industry concepts and terminology.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Project 1 One pitch/proposal for a transmedia strategy for a created narrative 0 3000 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Poster 1 One group research poster. This will be presented verbally as a research poster (presented for 15 minutes including questions). 0 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Project 1
Poster 1

Reading List

Boni, Marti (ed.) (2017) World Building: Transmedia, Fans, Industries, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
Delwiche, Aaron and Jennifer Jacobs Henderson (ed.) (2012) The Participatory
Cultures Handbook, New York: Routledge.
Derhy Kurtz, Benjamin W.L. and Melanie Bourdaa (ed.) (2017) The Rise of Transtexts: Challenges and Opportunities, London: Routledge.
Evans, Elizabeth, (2011) Transmedia Television: Audiences, New Media and Daily Life, London: Routledge.
Evans, Elizabeth (2019) Understanding Engagement in Transmedia Culture, London: Routledge.
Firestone, Amanda and Leisa A. Clark (ed.) (2018) Harry Potter and Convergence
Culture: Essays on Fandom and the Expanding Potterverse, Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland.
Freeman, Matthew and William Proctor (ed.) (2018) Global Convergence Cultures:
Transmedia Earth, London: Routledge.
Guynes, Sean and Dan Hassler-Forest (ed.) (2017) Star Wars and the History of
Transmedia Storytelling (Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
Jenkins, Henry (2002) Convergence Culture, New York: NYU Press.
Phillips, A. (2012) A Creator's Guide to Transmedia Storytelling: How to Captivate and Engage Audiences Across Multiple Platforms. New York: McGraw Hill.
Scolari, Carlos, Paulo Bertetti and Matthew Freeman (2014) Transmedia Archaeology: Storytelling in the Borderlines of Science Fiction, Comics and Pulp Magazine, Basingstoke: Palgrave.
Scott, Suzanne (2019) Fake Geek Girls: Fandom, Gender and the Convergence Culture Industry, New York: New York University Press.
Vernallis, Carol, Lisa Perrott and Holly Rogers (ed.) (2020) Transmedia Directors: Artistry, Industry, and New Audiovisual Aesthetics, London: Bloomsbury.
Journals: Convergence
International Journal of Transmedia Literacy
Continuum: Journal of Media and Cultural Studies