VINAI6000 Investigative Journalism with AI Course description

This course aims to encourage investigative journalism in digital times. A rising trend within international investigative journalism is to collaborate across borders and exchange useful information and data. Similarly, investigative journalists increasingly work in interdisciplinary teams drawing on expertise from such fields as law, economy, information technology and social science. The course seeks to deepen the understanding and knowledge of such investigative journalism.

This course aims to strengthen investigative journalism in the digital age by providing students with practical and theoretical knowledge of data-driven methods. As journalism increasingly relies on digital tools and large datasets, investigative journalists must develop new skills to find, collect, analyze, and communicate complex information responsibly and effectively.

Students will learn how to locate and harvest relevant data from public and digital sources, ensure safe and secure data handling, and apply data journalism techniques to analyze and explore datasets. The course will also introduce methods for identifying patterns, extracting entities, uncovering relationships, and visualizing findings. Through hands-on exercises and case studies, students will gain insight into how digital tools and data analysis can reveal hidden connections and support impactful investigative reporting.

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 acquired deeper understanding of methodologies in digital investigative journalism
• has acquired solid knowledge of both traditional investigative journalism and more recent digital investigative journalism
• has developed deeper knowledge of investigative techniques, particularly when used online
• has developed an understanding of ethical perspectives of digital investigative journalism

Skills

The student:

• can use appropriate theories, methods, and knowledge to develop and conduct an investigative journalistic project with digital methodologies
• can use digital tools to harvest and analyse relevant data

General competence

The student:

• can analyse ethical and legislative concerns as a result of investigative journalism
• can gather data in national as well as international contexts and analyse ethical and legislative concerns as a result of such work

The course is organized in gatherings of lectures and workshops at campus. All assignments are connected to workshops where students will be supported by experienced journalists, accountants, and digital safety experts to learn skills and acquire knowledge necessary to do cross border investigative journalism. There will be two on-campus workshops of 5 hours each.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: A written assignment based on the course readings. The length of the assignment should be between 700 – 1000 words.
• Coursework 2: A written assignment based on the course readings. The length of the assignment should be between 700 – 1000 words.
• Coursework 3: A written assignment based on the course readings. The length of the assignment should be between 700 – 1000 words.

The purpose of the assignments is to develop both theoretical understanding and practical skills in investigative and data journalism.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirement has not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to a new submission by the given deadline.

The exam is an individual portfolio combining practical demonstration and written analysis. The submission must include:

• Evidence of applied digital investigative journalism skills (may include data analysis, visualizations, code, or other digital outputs).
• Written reflection and analysis with a scope of minimum 2,000 words. Font and font size: Arial / Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5

In the event of a fail grade, all parts of the portfolio must be resubmitted. Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the portfolio for assessment.

The exam can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Danish or Swedish.

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.

Target group

This continuing education course is aimed at students working as journalists.

Admission

Admission requires Higher Education Entrance Qualification to Norwegian Universities, including proficiency in English (generell studiekompetanse). Norwegian language proficiency is not required.

Admissions are conducted in accordance with Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet.