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.

Language of instruction is English.

None.

This course covers the use of scripting as a programming paradigm to solve challenges like automation, integration, data manipulation and analysis. The focus is on understanding how scripting combined with utility libraries can be helpful in solving a task. Scripts can vary in length and complexity, but are normally written in a high-level language that focuses on ease of expression and readability as well as a powerful set of libraries for complex operations. Scripts can be written as a means to create tools that eases scientific work or automates tasks. They can also be used to make systems interact that would normally not. The course will use the Python programming language.

The course includes lectures, seminars and group work. The course will be organized as two seminar weeks, with the following topics:

• General theories on media, crisis and conflicts
• War, peace and human rights
• Physical and digital safety when covering crises and conflicts

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

The student should have the following outcomes upon completing the course:

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course, the student:

• has a deep understanding of how scripting with Python is utilized to automate common tasks
• has advanced knowledge of scripting strategies that allow scripts to be robust against unforeseen failures and erroneous user input
• has advanced knowledge of how a code-base can be maintained through version control systems
• understands how scripting languages can be expanded through libraries
• knows how to use standardized packages for mathematics and statistics

Skills

Upon successful completion of the course, the student can:

• design and implement script-based tools
• evaluate and discuss how scripting may or may not facilitate automation
• use standard mathematics and statistics packages to visualize and solve relevant problems
• utilize a version control system for their code-base

General competence

Upon successful completion of the course, the student can:

• analyze automation approaches with regard to robustness and in relation to the intended tasks
• develop solution strategies for and participate in discussions about mathematical and statistical problems using scripting tools
• explain how automation and scripting can be used to automate workflows to experts and non-experts alike

This course is divided into two parts. The first part with focus on covering the particular scripting language used in this class, such as its syntax, use and some extra libraries. The first part will also cover the practice of using a version control system as the means to store the code-base. During this part, students will meet for weekly lectures/sessions and labs where they work on exercises.

The second part will focus on the students completing a programming project. The student will work individually on the project and submit a final code-base that also includes documentation. During this part, there may be lectures if needed, but most of the time will be spent on individual supervision of students in lab-sessions.

Practical training

Lab sessions.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

2 mandatory coding assignments, either done individually or in groups (max. 5 students).

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

An individual project report between 5000 and 10000 words, not counting code appendix.

The exam can be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for registering for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.