EPN-V2

MJ4501 Journalism, Innovation and Social Media Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Journalistikk, innovasjon og sosiale medier
Study programme
Master's Programme in Media Development
Master's Programme in Media Development, part-time
Master Programme in Journalism
Master Programme in Journalism
Elective modules, Master Programme in Journalism
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2022/2023
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

The course aims at encouraging critical journalism combined with analysis and debate regarding changing conditions for journalism due to digitalization, ownership structures and social media platforms' impact on the media industry. The course aims at deepening the knowledge about the changing conditions for news production, distribution and consumption brought forward by emerging technology, ownership structures and changes to revenue streams for funding of journalism.

Required preliminary courses

None

Learning outcomes

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 advanced knowledge of how changes related to digitalization, media innovation and social media affect journalism as an institution and cultural practice 
  • has knowledge about media innovation and the shifting financial conditions influencing the funding of journalism
  • has thorough knowledge about how the interrelationship between social media platforms has resulted in changing news distribution and consumption
  • has knowledge about research into the productiion and circulation of disinformation/ misinformation via digital media platforms                 

Skills

The student

  • can analyze developments in  funding of the news media internationally and nationally
  • can analyze how digitalization and social media platforms impact the production, distribution and consumption of news
  • can critically analyze news publishers approaches to user participation  via different nonproprietary social media platforms, and their consequences for journalism
  • can find, analyze and refer to relevant information and literature in order to develop research questions and undertake independent research or development projects
  • can independently assess and discuss concepts in academic literature, and also make intellectual use of such in writing academic text

General competence

The student

  • is able to analyze professional and occupational issues 
  • is trained in innovative thought and able to apply her/his knowledge and skills in areas such as innovation, digitalization and social media
  • can use the competencies and skills acquired in new ways in order undertake advanced tasks and projects
  • can transfer knowledge on key challenges within the field to specialists and the public
  • can contribute to the creation of new knowledge and processes of innovation within the field

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and workshops.

Course requirements

No coursework requirements

Assessment

An individual term paper of 12-15 pages. The term paper may be written in either English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language). Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

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

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F

Examiners

Through work with the literature and the tasks, the student should learn to initiate and tutor collaborative learning processes for young and adult students. The tuition is in English if English speaking students attend the course.

Admission requirements

A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

  • has advanced knowledge of concepts, components or frameworks deriving from central theories, paradigms and approaches within the field of distributed collaborative learning
  • has thorough knowledge of the interrelationships between education and ICT development processes and their manifestations in international and national practices

Skills

The student

  • can analyse specific issues that are pertinent to development and change of online teaching environments in their societal contexts in primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education
  • can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information from the field of distributed collaborative learning and apply them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments.
  • can analyse existing theories and methods in the field of distributed collaborative learning and work independently on practical and theoretical problems.
  • can carry out an independent limited research or development project within the field of distributed collaborative learning under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics.

General competence

The student

  • can apply his/her competence and skills in the field of distributed collaborative learning in order to carry out advanced assignments and projects.
  • can communicate and discuss research-based knowledge in the field of distributed collaborative learning with professionals and non-professionals
  • can contribute in critical ways to the development of the field of distributed collaborative learning

Course contact person

No prerequisites required.