PS9200 Media Development and Media Production Course description

The course will introduce central theories and research traditions in media production and developments in the media field in the Norwegian and international contexts. "Media field" encompasses journalism, non-fiction writing, and other forms of media production and use, including in communication work.

The course is mandatory for all candidates in the specialization of Journalism and Media Studies, but candidates can apply for an exception if they have been admitted to another PhD course that gives an equivalent introduction to the theories and research traditions within the field of specialization and the doctoral dissertation’s subfield. It is recommended that the candidate completes the course as early as possible in their doctoral period.

No prior knowledge required.

After completing the course, the candidates are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

Candidates have sufficient knowledge on

• Theories and research connected to political, economic, technological, cultural, and social developments in the media field

• The development of the different media professions and their practices

• Theories and research traditions connected to media production

Skills

Candidates can

• Place their own research project in a journalistic and/or media studies theoretical and research tradition

• Reflect over the relationship between media development and media production as a research field and practice field

General competence

Candidates are capable of

• Communicating with researchers in the field and other students conducting projects in other (sub)fields than their own

• Identifying foundational theoretical issues of relevance to media development and media production

The course consists of seminars, lectures, and independent study. The pedagogical approach involves active participation in seminars and lectures, presentation of one’s own work, and providing feedback to others’ presentations on the basis of the research literature and lecture topics.

The seminar form supports the candidates’ practical training in presenting their own research and commenting on others’.

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Participation is therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special circumstances, such as documented illnesses, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as active reading of the relevant syllabus literature.

Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit a final essay.

Confirmed participation in the course and accepted final essay gives 5 ECTS credits.

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of an essay of approximately 4000 words (Arial / Calibri font size 12, spacing 1,5) that will be submitted 10 weeks after the course is concluded. Essays must be submitted within the given deadline, without extensions. Exceptions are made only in the case of illness (documented by sick leave). In these cases, an extension equaling the length of the sick leave can be granted (upon application).

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.

Assessment is pass/ fail. All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied. If an essay is graded fail, the candidate may resubmit a revised essay within a given time period.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer(s).