PS9200 Media Development and Media Production Course description

The course will introduce central theories and research traditions in media production and developments in the media field in the Norwegian and international contexts. “Media field” encompasses journalism, non-fiction writing, and other forms of media production and use, including in communication work.

The course is mandatory for all candidates in the specialization of Journalism and Media Studies, but candidates can apply for an exception if they have been admitted to another PhD course that gives an equivalent introduction to the theories and research traditions within the field of specialization and the doctoral dissertation’s subfield. It is recommended that the candidate completes the course as early as possible in their doctoral period.

No prior knowledge required.

Grade scale A-F.

All answer papers are assessed by two examiners. One examiner must be external. A supervisor is not allowed to be an examiner for the theses of students he or she has supervised.

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Participation is therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special cases of documented illness, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as active reading of the relevant syllabus literature.

Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit a final essay.

Confirmed participation in the course and accepted final essay gives 5 ECTS credits.

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of an essay of approximately 4000 words (Arial / Calibri font size 12, spacing 1,5) that will be submitted 1 month after the course is concluded. Essays must be submitted within the given deadline, without extensions. Exceptions are made only in the case of illness (documented by sick leave). In these cases, an extension equaling the length of the sick leave can be granted (upon application).

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

Assessment is pass/ fail. If All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied. an essay is graded fail, the candidate can resubmit a revised essay within a given time period.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer(s).

The target group for the course is candidates in the PhD programme in Social Sciences, following the journalism and media studies specialization, at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, but it will also be open to other students enrolled in a ph.d.-program who wish to study the field in-depth.

External applicants must submit a summary of approximately one page with information on their PhD project (other other project/ area of interest), with a description of their topic, method, theoretical approach, and why the course is relevant for their project.