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. The course provides a broad overview of research on the structural conditions of the news sector and insight into key developments within various parts of the sector. The teaching emphasizes training of students' skills in finding and applying central theories and research. In this way, the course, together with MED4100 Introduction to research methods, provides a common platform for all master's students in the program before they specialize in individual courses and master's thesis work.

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 empirical research related to the media sector's structural conditions with particular emphasis on economic and technological conditions, as well as media use
• has knowledge of key developments in the media field from a national and international perspective, including changing professional practices in the media sector
• has knowledge of innovation and value creation from a media perspective

Skills

The student

• can work independently and critically with research literature on media development
• can convey research-based knowledge about media development
• can formulate a research question and design a project outline for a theoretical or practical master's project about media development

General competence

The student

• has developed competence to critically assess the research work of others
• has an advanced understanding of the unique nature and challenges of the media field
• can work independently with practical and theoretical problem solving

The teaching consists of lectures, writing courses and student-led seminars. The course is based on 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 master's project outline that describes 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 assignment is linked to the course syllabus and teaching while simultaneously preparing the students for their 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 one improved version within a specified deadline. In the event of illness or other reasons, a separate deadline can be arranged with the course teacher.

Participation in the writing course and a minimum of one student-led seminar are compulsory activities in the course. The purpose of the writing course is to generate ideas for a master's project. The purpose of the student-led seminars is to encourage students to reflect on themes and theories taught in the course through group work and plenary presentations.

The compulsory activities must be completed and approved within the set deadline for the student to be able to sit for the exam.

The exam in the course is a supervised exam of 6 hours.

The following aids are permitted: Course curriculum, notes and presentations. These aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Scale from A - F.

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Ragnhild Kristine Olsen