MJ4300 Science and the Media: Challenges for Journalism and Communication Course description

In a democratic society, science and scientific communities should be subject to a rigorous process of dialogue and critique. However, many science writers and journalists covering science have tended to regard themselves solely as translators and disseminators of scientific knowledge. Scientific institutions have, for their part, become increasingly skillful in shaping the image of science in the public. This course draws upon studies of how the media represent science, scientific uncertainty and risk. The students will be encouraged to explore other ways of representing science and science related issues in science writing and journalistic work.

The course covers labour law problematisation with particular relevance to reorganisation and change processes. Employers' need for flexibility and change is seen in light of employees' need for protection and predictability. Changes measures can vary in nature and scope. The course takes the legal framework that an employment contract entails as its point of departure, and problematises change needs relating to the individual employee, reorganisation related to the whole enterprise or parts of it, rationalisation and workforce reductions, and changes that lead to transfer of duties or activities to another employer. In addition to relevant legislation and collective agreements, emphasis is also placed on relevant rulings. Connections are drawn to decisions of the EU Court of Justice. The course will focus on the public sector.

Language of instruction is Norwegian.

None

The course will be based on two week-long gatherings at Oslo Metropolitan University, including lectures, discussions and group-work

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

• Coursework 1:Present a text from the reading list in the course seminars devoted to presentations and discussions of course syllabus texts.
• Coursework 2: Partake and present in a group work an analysis of how sources are used in science journalism/communication texts.

The presentation of a text from the reading list is approximately 10 minutes in length.  The group presentation from each group is approximately 15 minutes in length.

The purpose of the course requirements is to help strengthen the students’ skills in critical analysis of science journalism and communication, and to help strengthen the students’ reflection on theoretical issues and/or practical challenges for science journalism /communication that are presented in texts from the reading list. 

Both presentations must be approved before the student can sit for the exam. If the course requirements are not approved, or in case of illness or other valid reasons for absence, the student may once and within a set deadline hand in an improved individual written version of work requirement 1 or work requirement 2. The written version of each requirement consists of approximately 600 words. If the student does not meet the set deadline(s), or if the course requirements are not approved, the student loses the possibility to hand in the paper/hold the presentation, and thereby loses to right to sit for the exam.

There are no mandatory activities in the course, with the exception of the coursework requirements.

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

• Coursework 1: Knowledge test 1
• Coursework 2: Knowledge test 2
• Coursework 3: Knowledge test 3

The knowledge tests are short tests (5-20 questions) that must be answered after each teaching session.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.

The exam in the course is a report that can be submitted individually or in groups of up to three students. The report can be up to 10 pages long. The front page, table of contents and literature list is not included when the number of pages is calculated. Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

Students will choose a practical labour law issue themselves within the framework of the thematic content of the course.

Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the report for assessment.

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

Grade scale A-F