| Unit name | Audio description and technologies for museum accessibility |
|---|---|
| Unit code | MODLM0072 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Wang |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Modern Languages |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Why is this unit important？
Access to cultural venues, e.g., museums, and art galleries has been increasingly recognised as human rights at national and international levels. There are about 2 million blind or partially sighted (BPS) people in the UK, however, there are only about 6% of museums among 1700 museums across the UK provide audio descriptive guides for BPS visitors. When blind or partially sighted people visit museums with no access facilities provided for them, it can be a source of great disappointment. In this unit, you will have the chance to seek and provide access solutions for this real-world issue.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The new unit enhances students' knowledge by providing specialized expertise in audio description, a critical component within audiovisual translation and media accessibility. Students gain an understanding of how to make cultural venues and audiovisual content more accessible for individuals who are blind or partially sighted.
An overview of content
This unit is designed to introduce students to the professional practice of Audio Description (AD), which helps blind and partially sighted people access audiovisual materials and cultural venues. Through a range of carefully chosen examples and exercises, students will develop skills in audio description production. Throughout the unit, we will explore various areas related to AD, including legislation, AD for museums and heritage sites, professional and technical aspects, the conventions used in the industry, and AD reception and research.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
knowledge & intellectual abilities
Students gain in-depth knowledge of audio description and technologies, enriching their understanding of media accessibility practices. The unit fosters an interdisciplinary perspective, broadening students' intellectual abilities by connecting audiovisual translation, museum studies, and media accessibility.
engagement & influence
Through collaborative projects and discussions, students enhance their engagement and influence by learning to navigate and contribute effectively to audio description practices.
personal effectiveness and wellbeing
Practical workshops and formative activities build confidence and creativity, empowering students to create audio descriptions. This contributes to personal effectiveness in their future professional endeavours.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a mixture of activities, including seminars, lectures, and collaborative as well as self-directed learning opportunities supported by tutor consultation. Students will be provided with audiovisual materials to practice AD techniques. They will be encouraged to provide feedback to their peers and to participate in group discussions to enhance their learning experience.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (formative):
Activities include presentations and AD practice tasks
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
There is one single assessment submission (100%): this will include an AD project (50%) (e.g., AD for a museum exhibition) and a commentary (1500 words max) (50%). (ILOs 1-3)
When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. MODLM0072).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
