EPN

MJ5200 Climate journalism, theory and practice Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Klimajournalistikk, teori og praksis
Study programme
Masterstudium i medieutvikling / Masterstudium i medieutvikling, deltid
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2020/2021
Curriculum
FALL 2020
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

Climate change and the environment are closing in on society in both space and time, becoming a relevant dimension of ever more areas of life. Significant transformations need to take place over the next decade and here journalism will have a key role to play. This course will help students pursue both the theoretical and practical development of climate journalism, including the understanding of its own role in society, in a time of declared and perceived crisis.

Required preliminary courses

No prerequisites

Learning outcomes

The student should have the following learning outcomes upon successful completion of the course:

Knowledge

  • has advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of the different perceptions and experiences of global climate change, with a particular focus on the Arctic, and from the Arctic (Arctic Lenses)
  • has thorough knowledge of both the difficulties and the possibilities of climate change communication in the media and in journalism

Skills

The student

  • is able to critically analyze different perceptions and experiences of global climate change in the media
  • is able to relate these differences to the global and universal dimensions of climate change for the past, present and future of humanity and life on earth
  • can explain and communicate global dimensions of climate change with a focus on the Arctic and/or from the Arctic
  • can convey climate change journalistically as a dimension to a host of different climate change stories
  • can find new and innovative ways to approach global climate change

General competence

The student

  • is able to understand the basics of global climate change, with the help of knowledge from both the natural, social and human sciences.
  • is well qualified to approach climate change as a justice issue, for example between the North and South, the developed and the developing world
  • is well qualified to discuss ethical questions in both science and journalism
  • has acquired journalistic skills of combining observations of different experiences of climate change with broader, theoretical perspectives

Teaching and learning methods

The course will be based on two to three gatherings of 2-5 days at Oslo Metropolitan University, including lectures, exercises and group work. One of the gatherings, or part of one gathering, may also entail field work/excursions.

Course requirements

No course requirements

Assessment

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

Either

  • A reportage which both has a global and a particular dimension of climate change, followed by a reflection paper that discusses and analyzes the textual material theoretically helped by the syllabus,  15 - 20 pages, 1,5 line space, Times New Roman size 12.

Or

  • An analytic, theory-based paper investigating a limited media output where global climate change is covered in a particular way, 13-16 pages, 1,5 line space, Times New Roman size 12.

The term papers may be written in Norwegian or English.

Students who have failed a regular examination may submit a revised version of the exam one time. Students with legitimate absence are entitled to submit the term paper to the new examination.

Grading scale

The papers are evaluated according to a scale ranging from A to F, with A-E as pass grades and F as fail grade.

Examiners

All term papers will be assessed by an evaluation committee consisting of both an internal and an external examiner.

Admission requirements

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