MED4000 Media Development and Media Research Course description

The compulsory course Media development and media research will prepare students for research and development work in the media field. In this context, the media field means journalism, non-fiction, other forms of media production and use, as well as communication work. The course provides a broad overview of key theoretical research fields and traditions in media studies, as well as skills in finding and applying key theories and research. In this way, the course together with the course MED4100 Introduction to research methods provides a common platform for all master's students in the program before they specialize by taking courses within the chosen direction (journalism, media and communication, non-fiction) and work on the master's thesis.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• knowledge of theories and research related to the structural frames for the media with particular emphasis on economic and technological conditions and conditions related to media use.
• insight into key developments and central theoretical perspectives in the media field both historically and in the present, nationally and internationally. This includes gender and diversity perspectives in media research.
• knowledge of the development of different media professions and their practices.

Skills

The student can

• orientate themselves independently and critically in the academic literature
• design a research question for a master's project in media development
• design a practical theoretical or practical master project

General competence

The student has

• developed competence to critically evaluate others' research work
• an advanced understanding of the media field's uniqueness and challenges
• can work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving

The teaching consists of lectures, writing courses and syllabus seminars. In the writing course, the student will receive training in practical writing. The course presupposes a high degree of student activity.

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

• Work requirement 1: Develop a preliminary sketch for a master's project that outlines a theoretical starting point and problem. Length: 3-5 pages.

The purpose of the assignment is to practice on translating theoretical knowledge into a specific problem that in turn can help the students to get started on a master's project. The thesis is linked to the syllabus and teaching in this specific course and points forward to the further work in the master's course.

The work requirement must be handed in within the deadline and approved before the student can take the exam. If the work requirement is not approved, it is possible to deliver an improved version once within a specified deadline. In the event of illness or other reasons, a separate deadline can be agreed upon with the subject teacher.

The writing course is a compulsory activity in the course. The writing course focuses on the development of an idea  for a master's project. Compulsory activity must be completed and approved within the deadline for the student to be able to take the exam.

The assessment is an individual, written 4-day home examination. Length: approx. 10 pages (excluding front page and bibliography). Font Arial or Calibri, size 12 points, line spacing: 1.5.

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

Scale from A - F.

Two sensors are used, and for an extract of at least 25 per cent of the answers, one sensor must be external. The grades on the extract form the basis for determining the level of the rest of the answers.

Ragnhild Kristine Olsen