Media, Communication and the Public Sphere, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Entry requirements

-

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to
- account for the political and democratic functions and roles of the mass media, historically and in contemporary society,
- account for current theories and research that concerns the mass media in relation to the public sphere/democracy,
- reflect on the knowledge field of media studies,
- discuss how own values and positions influence assessments of media issues.

Course content

This course covers the role of the mass media in the public discourse and the mass media's relation to politics, education and science. The course provides a historical background to the emergence and importance of the public discourse and introduces theoretical perspectives on media, democracy and political processes. The course is for both future and practising teachers, informants, journalists and others who are interested in questions of power and the public sphere and who wants to increase their critical media competence.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching takes the form of lectures, seminars and group discussions. The students prepare individually and in groups for the lectures and seminars through studies of literature, group discussions and work with specific seminar assignments.

Examination

The course is examined continuously through compulsory seminars and written take-home examinations.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department