PS9500 Safety of journalists Emneplan

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.

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 consists of lectures, discussions, presentation of candidates’ own research, and commenting on others' work.

Teaching is organised as a combination of lectures, discussions and presentations by the candidates in which selected classic texts (books and/or articles), literature reviews and meta- analyses are discussed, and topical research presented. The seminar form supports the candidates’ practical training in presenting their own research and commenting on others’. An Online International Learning approach will be used to create equitable team-taught learning environments emphasizing collaborative candidate learning.

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 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. A final essay of between 7-10 pages (Arial /Calibri font size 12, spacing 1,5) shall be submitted within 2 months of course conclusion. The quality should give a clear indication that the essay can be developed into a publishable article The students are encouraged to work in cross-country teams and publish joint essays, for instance based on small research conducted jointly. If two students work together the length of the final essay will be approx. 14-18 pages.

Assessment is pass/ fail. 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.