MJ4501 Journalism, Innovation and Social Media Course description

The media are influential in raising awareness and building knowledge of conflicts and wars, and increasingly also become part of/are used in various conflicts. This course brings together theory and practice to explore the possibilities and challenges involved in contemporary reporting of peace and conflict. Whereas new technologies mean increased surveillance and enhanced disinformation processes, they may also involve new possibilities for journalists covering crisis and conflict. The minority and gender dimensions of conflict reporting will be of particular interest to discussions of whose perspectives we actually get to hear or see through the news media. Parts of the course reflect upon how in times of war, crisis and conflict, the dangers media workers are exposed to are more imminent than in ordinary times, and focus on what individuals and institutions can do to limit such dangers.

Language of instruction is English.

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 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

The course includes lectures, seminars and group work. The course will be organized as two seminar weeks, with the following topics:

• General theories on media, crisis and conflicts
• War, peace and human rights
• Physical and digital safety when covering crises and conflicts

The teaching takes place in person, on campus.

No course requirements.

For the main assessment, the students may choose one of two term papers.

Either

• An analytic, theory-based paper of 12-15 pages within the thematic field of the course. Font and font size: Arial or Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.The topic can be freely chosen within the frames of the course and in agreement with the course supervisor.

Or

• A journalistic product selecting a topic within the general framework of the course in agreement with the course supervisor. The journalistic report can be developed either in digital/ print format/ radio/ TV, or photo. The length will be agreed upon with the supervisor, but approximately 5-6 pages + images for an article (digital/print), 8-12 minutes for radio, 4 minutes for TV and 8 images for a photo article.
• The journalistic product is to be accompanied by a reflection paper of approx. 5 pages, discussing the journalistic work on a theoretical level supported by the course syllabus. Font and font size reflection paper: Arial or Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

Both alternatives may be written in either English or Norwegian (or another Scandinavian language). Both exam alternatives can be solved individually or in cooperation with one other student.

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

Grade scale 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

A bachelor's degree or equivalent. The minimum academic requirement for admission is the grade C, in accordance with Regulations Relating to Admission to Master's Degree Programmes at OsloMet.

Kristin Skare Orgeret