MJ4401 Media in war, crisis and conflict Emneplan

The media are influential in raising awareness and building knowledge of conflicts and wars, and increasingly also become part of/are used in various conflicts. This course brings together theory and practice to explore the possibilities and challenges involved in contemporary reporting of peace and conflict. Whereas new technologies mean increased surveillance and enhanced disinformation processes, they may also involve new possibilities for journalists covering crisis and conflict. The minority and gender dimensions of conflict reporting will be of particular interest to discussions of whose perspectives we actually get to hear or see through the news media. Parts of the course reflect upon how in times of war, crisis and conflict, the dangers media workers are exposed to are more imminent than in ordinary times, and focus on what individuals and institutions can do to limit such dangers.

None.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has acquired knowledge of theories on media and conflict
• has acquired a deeper understanding of the role of media and journalism in conflict and crises, including how certain actors may use online disinformation to suppress human rights and undermine the trust to media
• has reached a deeper knowledge of the challenges for journalistic safety during crises and conflicts

Skills

The student

• can use appropriate theories and methods in journalism and media studies to analyze issues of conflict coverage and reveal various approaches to peace and conflict
• is able to communicate key issues in the research area media and conflict and the current challenges to and possibilities for quality crisis and conflict reporting
• can inspire colleagues and students to reflect on the importance of physical and digital safety and improve professional competence concerning the digital and physical safety of those who produce journalism accordingly

General competence

The student

• is able to analyze professional and occupational issues in the field of media and conflict
• is well qualified to present academic as well as journalistic material and is able to give and receive constructive criticism and response

An individual paper (8-10 pages) written in English based on the syllabus and course lectures as well as other relevant sources must be handed in within a set deadline and presented in English in a plenary class session with an assigned respondent. All students will be assigned the role of respondent.

Presentations should include 5-7 Powerpoint slides or similar with highlights from the paper and last max. 6 minutes plus 4-5 minutes for the respondent.

The purpose of the course requirements are to encourage and motivate all students to engage in active dialogue and discussion in order to reinforce the learning outcomes of the course.

The paper with the presentation attached must be handed in/completed within the deadline and approved before the student can sit for the exam. If the paper is not approved, the student may hand in a new, improved version within a set deadline.. If the presentation is not approved, the student may give a new, improved presentation within a set deadline. If the student does not meet the set deadline(s), the student loses the possibility to hand in the paper/hold the presentation, and thereby loses to right to sit for the exam.

In the event of illness or other valid reasons of absence, an individual deadline can be set by the teacher.

The exam is based on the approved course paper and consists of a written, individual term paper (10-12 pages) in English. Co-authored papers by two or three students are also possible based on one or several of the approved course papers, but then the page requirements are 18-20 pages for two authors and 24-26 pages for three authors.

Before the exam submission, all course papers should be revised and improved based on the plenary presentations and discussions.

Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

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.

Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the syllabus before the course starts