PBIB9300 Current Research in Library and Information Science Emneplan

This course will be dedicated to specific research traditions and approaches in library and information science (LIS), and their current applications. The focus will be on different theoretical or methodological themes each time the course is taught.

Research in library and information science (LIS) generally focuses on understanding relations between information, knowledge and/or culture and their potential use/users. It may be grounded in humanistic, social scientific or technological perspectives. The course will be focused around a specific set of theories and/or methodologies related to LIS, and past and current debates in the research field will be addressed.

No previous knowledge required

After completing the course, the candidates are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

Candidates

• Will gain advanced knowledge in a specific part of LIS
• Will be familiar with strengths and limitations within a particular LIS speciality
• Will be familiar with current and past debates within a particular LIS specialty
• Will develop their ability for critical thinking on their chosen speciality within LIS

Skills

Candidates are able to

• Analyse current and past debates within their own speciality
• Present informed arguments for their own position within LIS
• Ground their own work within specific research traditions

General Competence

Candidates are able to

• Reflect critically on the state of theory or methodology within a specific field of LIS research

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and general competence).

Knowledge;;The candidate

• has in-depth knowledge of and insight into the study of the safety of journalisms internationally and have a good overview of the main lines of argument in central theoretical and professional debates in the field.
• has in-depth knowledge and understanding of key theoretical approaches and is familiar with cutting edge knowledge including aspects of digital safety, self-censorship, gender issues, investigating sensitive issues, covering protests, war and conflict, journalistic collaborations, financial and legal security of journalists.
• has knowledge about measures that can improve the situation for journalists and journalism, including the role of UN, UNESCO and NGOs in the field of freedom of speech and journalism.

;Skills;The candidate

• can compare, analyse and contribute to developing concepts and ideas in the field of the safety of journalists
• can reflect on and communicate the research in the field and its development in abroader conceptual context

;General competence

• assessing and identifying new research questions in the field.
• taking part in collaborative learning methods such as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL).
• taking part in debates in national and international fora.

The course will be organized as lectures, student presentations and discussions.;

Attendance is a necessary requirement to pass the course.

The candidate shall write an essay of approximately 2000 - 4000 words.

The essay shall be handed in no later than 2 months after the subject is concluded.

If an essay is considered not passed, the candidate may submit a revised essay once within a specified time.

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.;

Pass / Fail.

The essay will be graded by the internal assessors.

The course gives an introduction to the field of safety of journalists as one of scientific knowledge and institutional practices. Attacks on media professionals is a growing problem globally and threats and violence against journalists affect freedom of expression and the public sphere. Threats towards the safety of journalists raise questions of resistance and resilience, and of the responsibilities of individuals, institutions and societies. The aim of the course is to educate journalism researchers in the analytical and practical tools needed to investigate, understand, and improve journalists’ safety in an ever-evolving, transnational landscape of political and physical insecurity.

;

The course consists of two main thematic components:

• Central scholarly traditions and theoretical debates in the field of the safety of journalists in Norwegian and international contexts
• Knowledge from practical experiences of the safety of journalists worldwide at individual, institutional and structural levels.

;

The course is elective and open for all candidates in the specialization in Journalism and Media studies