UTVB2400 Media and Development Course description

The course description was approved 1 June 2016 by the Academic Affairs Committee and established by the Dean 9 June 2016 at the Faculty of Education and International Studies. Latest revision approved by the Academic Affairs Committee 11 May 2017. Minor revision made 20 December 2017. 

The Faculty of Education and International Studies at the Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences (hereinafter referred to as HiOA) offers interdisciplinary courses in Development Studies and North-South relations, leading to a Bachelor's degree in Development Studies comprising 180 ECTS credits. The module in "Media and Development" is a course at the intermediate level, 4th semester in the BA programme. Fulfilled requirements and a passable grade entitle the student to 10 ECTS credits.

This interdisciplinary course seeks to combine perspectives from the social sciences and the humanities on media and development. Drawing on contributions from various disciplines the course is concerned with historical processes of media, their uses and the social consequences of media practices.

The language of instruction is English or Norwegian, depending on the language proficiencies of the student body. However, students may submit assignments in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.

See programme description. 

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should master these learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student

• knows the main analytical approaches and key themes and terms in the study of media and development on a global scale.
• knows different perspectives on how media is connected to social change and development.

Skills

The student

• can reflect critically on various types of perspectives on the relationship between media and development.
• is able to build transferable analytical skills of media and development across the global South.

General competence

The student

• knows how to link media and development to cross-cultural issues.
• is able to apply this knowledge in new academic contexts.

The course will outline various traditions in the study of media in society, encompassing

'non-media-centric media studies', and the relation to development. The theme of media and

development will be approached widely and with an emphasis on the global South.

The course is a full-time academic programme lasting four to six consecutive weeks, offered in the spring semester. The course will consist of lectures and seminars with active student participation.

To qualify to sit for the final exam, each student is required to write an academic paper of 2000 words (+/-10 %) on a given topic. This will enable the student to engage with the course literature and critically reflect on a particular topic. Papers must be handed in digitally through HiOA's Learning Management System and within the stipulated deadline. No individual supervision will be provided for this paper, but students will be able to work on their papers in course seminars.

The paper will be assessed as either "approved" or "not approved". Students who do not get the required pass, may rewrite and resubmit their paper once within a given deadline. Students who due to illness or other documented reasons for legal absence fail to submit this coursework requirement with the set deadline, will be given a new submission deadline. In this case, the student must present the documents confirming his/her illness.

The final assessment of this module consists of a four-hour written exam.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student can apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exam is offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. Submission and assessment of this will be in accordance with the conditions originally applicable. The student is responsible for applying to sit for a new or postponed exam within the deadlines stipulated by HiOA and the Faculty of Education and International Studies.

No examination supoort material is permitted.

The following grading scale is used: A to E for pass and F for no pass.

The exam will be jointly marked by an internal and an external examiner.

The course is open to students who have completed at least a one-year introductory course in Development Studies at HiOA or equivalent courses at other institutions of higher eduaction in Norway or abroad.