BIBV3040 Digital media and culture Course description

The course offers a case- and discussion-based approach to the current digital media landscape. In the course, we read and discuss academic articles and books on digital media and culture and debate critical issues in digital media, ranging from social media to streaming to theories of digitalization and data. The course has three parts: Culture and entertainment, Communication and power, and Digitalization and data. For each part, an introductory lecture will be given. All other class activities are based on student participation. The instructor will provide cases for discussion. Students will, individually and in groups, be tasked with presenting and discussing texts from the curriculum.

Case discussions will deal critically with issues such as the political impact of social media, the sustainability of streaming services, the power of digital communication platforms, datafication and the power of metrics, and the characteristics of digitalization.

None.

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of central topics of debate within digital media and culture
• has knowledge of how scholars of digital media observe and analyze digital media and culture
• has knowledge of theories of communication, power, digitalization and datafication
• has an understanding of how digital media influences culture and politics

Skills

The student

• is able to partake in discussions on digital media and culture
• is able to write up short case assignments
• is able to give oral presentations in class
• is able to provide summaries and interpretations of complex academic texts

General competences

The student

• is able to reflect critically on social, political and economic issues arising from digital media
• is able to partake in discussions on digital media and culture  

The course is based on in-class discussions of texts and cases. In addition, lectures on the three central topic areas will be provided. Students are required to prepare in advance for all in-class discussions.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam: 

• Requirement 1: students shall participate in active discussions in seminars. Active discussion is defined as providing substantial comments in at least three seminars.
• Requirement 2: each student gives two oral presentations of text readings for the seminars.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam.

The final assessment consists of a individually written term paper of 20,000 characters +-10% including spaces. Font and font size: Arial/ Calibri 12pkt. Line spacing: 1.5.

The term paper is a written adaptation and extension of the oral presentations given as course requirements. Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the term paper for assessment.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with

Letter grading A-F.

The examination is assessed by an internal and an external examiner. The external examiner grades a random sample consisting of approx. 25 per cent of the exams. The grades given for this sample provide a basis for internal examiners who will be grading the other exams.