MJ5200 Klimajournalistikk, teori og praksis Emneplan

Perceptions and experiences of Global Climate change differ across the world: The climate signals of extreme weather events, the responsibility of past and present emissions, the capacity to adapt and the sense of urgency in transforming societies: it all depend on who and where you are. These differences help explain why the media often cannot find neither the time nor the place for global climate change. The differences also add up to an acute journalistic problem: how to 'think globally' while zooming in on a particular climate change story? This course will help answer that question, by trying out 'Arctic Lenses' on Global Climate Change. Beyond the iconic Polar Bear, the Arctic is a place where many of the global dimensions of climate change can be starkly seen and felt. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra's song about New York: If the media and if journalism can 'make it' in the Arctic, they can make it 'anywhere'.

No prerequisites

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

Knowledge

• has advanced interdisciplinary knowledge of the different perceptions and experiences of global climate change, with a particular focus on the Arctic, and from the Arctic (Arctic Lenses)
• has thorough knowledge of both the difficulties and the possibilities of climate change communication in the media and in journalism

Skills

The student

• is able to critically analyze different perceptions and experiences of global climate change in the media
• is able to relate these differences to the global and universal dimensions of climate change for the past, present and future of humanity and life on earth
• can explain and communicate global dimensions of climate change with a focus on the Arctic and/or from the Arctic
• can convey climate change journalistically as a dimension to a host of different climate change stories
• can find new and innovative ways to approach global climate change

General competence

The student

• is able to understand the basics of global climate change, with the help of knowledge from both the natural, social and human sciences.
• is well qualified to approach climate change as a justice issue, for example between the North and South, the developed and the developing world
• is well qualified to discuss ethical questions in both science and journalism
• has acquired journalistic skills of combining observations of different experiences of climate change with broader, theoretical perspectives

The course will be based on two week-long gatherings at Oslo and Akershus University College of applied Sciences, including lectures, exercises and group work. One of the weeks, or part of one week, may also entail field work/excursions.

No course requirements

For the main assessment, the students may choose one of two term papers.

Either

• A reportage which both has a global and a particular dimension of climate change, followed by a reflection paper that discusses and analyzes the textual material theoretically helped by the syllabus, 15 - 20 pages, 1,5 line space, Times New Roman size 12.

Or

• An analytic, theory-based paper investigating a limited media output where global climate change is covered in a particular way, 13-16 pages, 1,5 line space, Times New Roman size 12.

The term papers may be written in Norwegian or English.

Students who have failed a regular examination may submit a revised version of the exam one time. Students with legitimate absence are entitled to submit the term paper to the new examination.

Journalism is changing and so is investigative journalism. Amongst the factors that affect investigative journalism are emerging digital media and changing technology. This course aims to encourage investigative journalism in digital times, and gives students the opportunity to collaborate across borders using digital technology. A rising trend within international investigative journalism is how reporters to a larger degree than before collaborate across borders and exchange useful information and data. The course seeks to deepen the understanding and knowledge of such investigative journalism.

The course will emphasize new digital ways of how to investigate data. Students will learn principles of big data harvesting and analysis, and they will collaborate internationally with other students either on analyses of digital working methods or on doing more practical research related to investigative stories.

Entry Requirements for Individual Courses

Either a bachelor's degree or equivalent with specialization in journalism or photojournalism of minimun 80 ECTS. Or a bachelor's degree or equivalent and a minimum of two years journalistic experience. The minimum academic requirement for admission is the grade C, in accordance with Regulations Relating to Admission to Master's Degree Programmes at HiOA.

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

Knowledge

The student

• has acquired thorough knowledge on the variety of theories and methodologies within digital investigative journalism of all sorts. Examples might be the use of Social Network Analyses, various harvesting methods of data online, understanding of where to locate data that might be analyzed in larger and even internationals projects
• has acquired solid knowledge of both traditional investigative journalism and more recent digital investigative journalism
• has got advanced insight into how to collaborate across borders and extend international cooperation by utilizing digital tools
• has developed an advanced understanding of investigative techniques such as freedom of information requests - particularly when used online
• has developed an advanced knowledge and understanding for ethical perspectives of digital investigative journalism

Skills

The student

• can use appropriate theories, methods and knowledge of genres within investigative journalism and demonstrate an advanced ability to conduct an investigative journalistic project with digital methodologies
• can analyze and reflect upon both traditional investigative journalism as well as recently developed methods and genres
• can analyze theory and methodology of investigative journalism and also develop new ways to reflect upon modernized genres
• has developed research skills with a particular focus on investigative journalism in an international perspective

Competence

The student

• is able to reflect upon and analyze both organizational and practical aspects of investigative journalism
• is capable of gathering data in national as well as international contexts and analyze ethical and legislative concerns as a result of such work
• is capable of analyzing other aspects of working with investigative journalism