Master's Programme in Media Development Programme description

The media field is developing at a rapid pace. New media platforms and forms of communication are introduced, while traditional ones are changing, or disappearing. The structural conditions for media practices including journalism, communication, non-fiction and media production are changing, due to technological, economic and cultural developments.

The master's program in media development provides in-depth knowledge, specific skills, and new competencies to better understand, analyse and practice various tasks and roles in the media field. The "media field" must be understood in a broad sense and includes journalism, communication, non-fiction and media production.

The programme consists of three sub-fields of study: journalism, media and communication, and non-fiction. The fields of study have a common orientation towards development, meaning:

• Development in the media field at a structural level, including political, economic, social, cultural, and technological developments (historical and in the present/future, nationally and internationally)
• Development of new genres, formats, work areas and working methods in the professions and practices of the media field (historically and in the present/future).
• Development in an educational sense: the students develop their own media productions and academic projects where it is the actual development process that provides learning (process-oriented learning / project-based pedagogy)

The programme emphasizes practical production and facilitates cooperation with the sector. Students are encouraged to develop practical and/or analytical projects both in courses and in the master's thesis. The latter constitutes the main form of specialization during the master. At the same time, the program offers knowledge about scientific methods and research ethics.

The master's programme is interdisciplinary and is based on humanistic and social science approaches.

The students achieve the degree Master of Media Development. It will be stated in the diploma which field of study the graduate has chosen.

Journalism

Internationally, the journalism profession has gone through significant changes due to technological and economic developments. The sub-field of study is both practical and research-oriented and represents an important contribution to the industry and to journalism research through emphasis on innovation, development and a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.

The course offers students teaching in more specialized subjects, with an emphasis on development, digitalisation, globalisation, ethics and the importance of journalism in society.

Media and communication

Media, information, and communication technology constitute significant cultural, social, and political resources in society and are important frameworks for the exercise of many different professional and professional functions. Within media and communication, there is a great technological development, and it is a field that is constantly changing. The sub-field of study is both practical and research-oriented and represents an important contribution to the industry through emphasis on innovation and a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge.

The sub-field of media and communication provides insights into theoretical, analytical, and practical-aesthetic approaches, and represent an opportunity for in-depth study of cultural, social, technological, and political aspects of new and traditional media expressions. Throughout the course of study, emphasis is placed on creativity, innovation. and development. The field of study offers teaching in more specialized subjects, with emphasis on media design, media production and project development, strategic management of organizational communication, media use, user participation, digitization and media and the importance of the communication field in society.

Non-fiction

Quality-assured non-fiction is a cornerstone of the democratic public. It contains a multitude of genres and publication channels, from journalism to the research monograph, from the essay to the website. The field of study shall provide students with knowledge of the field of non-fiction and its development in a Norwegian and international context. The student develops knowledge and skills in academic writing, as well as about the most relevant methods in the subject, both for research assignments and production assignments. The methods must be able to be used actively both in own non-fiction work and in research on non-fiction. During the study, students must have acquired broad knowledge of the field of non-fiction both in Norway and internationally, including genre theory, which is very important both theoretically and as a skill. They must also have solid skills in source criticism and relevant qualitative and quantitative methods, and they must be able to prepare longer texts within the subjects the study provides. After completing their studies, students must have broad competence in non-fiction and in the development of non-fiction.

Relevance to working life and further studies

Work in the media field is characterized by little stability, loose boundaries between different professions, a large degree of interdisciplinarity and a constant need for new knowledge, skills and competencies. The need for education at master's level is therefore increasing, and in-depth knowledge and skills in and about "development" are central. Developments in the media field also create a need for the formulation of new policies and for new competence in public administration related to media regulation, media information, media analysis, media use and other relevant areas. The master's program in media development will educate students for work in public administration and related areas. The major changes in the media field combined with the media's significance for the public and thus for the development of democracy and society, creates an increased need for research on changes in the media field's social significance. The master's program in media development is also relevant for further studies at PhD level in media studies and other, relevant subject areas.

Undervisningsopplegget er basert på individuelt arbeid, gruppearbeid og plenumssamlinger. For å oppnå målsettingene i emnet vil et viktig element være bruk av eksempler og løsning av praktiske oppgaver (caser). Det forventes at studentene arbeider aktivt med disse oppgavene og rettskildematerialet som finnes på området.

The fields of study journalism and media and communication

Admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to studies at OsloMet - the metropolitan university. The basis for admission to the fields of study journalism and media and communication is a bachelor's degree, a master's degree or equivalent degree with a professional specialization in journalism, photojournalism or media and communication of a minimum of 80 credits.

Field of study non-fiction

Admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to studies at OsloMet - the metropolitan university. The basis for admission to the field of study non-fiction (Master in media development) is a bachelor's degree, a master's degree or equivalent, as well as two years of relevant practice.

Relevant practice means, for example, information and communication work, dissemination, journalism, publishing work, research, teaching, research work and experience as a non-fiction writer. It is possible to combine different forms of relevant practice.

Relevant practice is documented with certificate (s) from the employer (s), publications, ev. confirmation from publisher / journal / other publishing or quality assurance institution. Freelancers must document an income from relevant practice corresponding to a total of 4G full-time, or equivalent income part-time.

The scope of produced non-fiction text is at least 200 pages of text or 400,000 characters at intervals, published by ordinary publishers or in ordinary journals, or at other institutions that have similar quality control.

Common to the fields of study

For admission to all three fields of study, an average grade of C or better (converted to 2.5 or better) from the academic basis is required.Additional points (maximum 1 point) are awarded for relevant education in the humanities, social sciences or science beyond the minimum requirement.Additional points (maximum 1 point) are awarded for relevant professional practice in addition to the minimum requirement. Relevant professional practice is professional practice as a journalist in print media, radio, television or web editing.For 50 per cent of the study places, there is competition only on the basis of grade points.The ranking of applicants is regulated by regulations on admission to studies at OsloMet - Metropolitan University.

After completing a master's degree in media development, the graduate is expected to have acquired theoretical and empirical knowledge of the media field's structural conditions, practices, professions and development. Furthermore, the graduate is expected to have acquired specialized skills within the field of study, as well as in research methods and dissemination. The graduate is also expected to have the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to develop independent projects within the field of study, as well as to critically evaluate their own and others' work.

After completing the program, the graduate must have the following total learning outcomes defined as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

In general, for all fields of study in the master's program in media development, the graduate:

• has in-depth knowledge of media structures, actors and development nationally and internationally.
• has in-depth knowledge of research methods, research ethics and theory of science
• has knowledge of media research's different traditions and theories nationally and internationally
• has developed a critical understandings of the media and media's role in society

Within the field of study journalism, the graduate must acquire:

• in-depth knowledge of various theories related to the development of journalism, such as theories of various media systems and media platforms, genre and discourse theory, globalization theories, democracy theory, theories og professionalization, and/or theories of technological development and innovation.
• in-depth theoretical insight into both national and international processes that shape journalism and how journalism affects society
• in-depth knowledge of the development of specific journalistic methods, genres and disciplines, such as climate journalism, foreign journalism, investigative journalism or literary journalism
• in-depth knowledge of various quantitative and qualitative methods in journalism research
• advanced knowledge of academic issues and journalistic texts based on the history of journalism, contemporary developments, uniqueness and place in society

Within the field of study in media and communication, the graduate must acquire:

• in-depth knowledge of various theories related to the development of the media and communication field, for example theories of various media systems and media platforms, communication, media design and production, user participation, interpretive theories or theories of technological development and innovation.
• in-depth theoretical insight into processes that shape development in the media and communication industry and how it affects society
• in-depth knowledge of the development of specific media and communication methods, genres and / or strategies

Within the field of study non-fiction, the graduate must acquire:

• in-depth knowledge of academic writing - theory, genres, genre development and history in-depth knowledge of non-fiction as a field and institution
• in-depth insight into the relationship between subject matter and dissemination (research communication, textbook, research journalism, popularization, the biography genre)
• in-depth insight into how the media and publishing industries and the journal field work, and what professional writing entails in practice.
• in-depth knowledge of the boundaries between journalism and other non-fiction, and how these boundaries have developed and are evolving both nationally and internationally

Skills

In general, for all fields of study in the master's program in media development, the graduate must acquire:

• can develop independent research projects and apply relevant theory
• can apply relevant research methods with a high degree of independence
• carry out an independent research or development project of a practical and / or theoretical nature under supervision and in accordance with current research ethics norms and source criticism

Within the field of study journalism, the graduate must be able to:

• orientate oneself independently and critically within journalistic and media professional literature and find relevant material for a research project
• develop journalism at a practical and / or academically advanced level and thus guide other colleagues in the field
• conduct studies of journalism on different media platforms
• identify both analytical and practical needs for development in journalism and in editorial environments

Within the field of study in media and communication, the graduate must be able to:

• orientate oneself independently and critically within media and communication subject literature and find relevant material for a research project
• develop media and communication projects at a practical and / or academically advanced level and thereby guide other colleagues in the field conduct comparative studies of different media and communication practices
• identify both analytical and practical needs for development in the media and communications industry

Within the field of study non-fiction, the graduate must be able to:

• prepared good and publishable non-fiction texts through process-oriented writing apply the most relevant methods in the subject, both for research assignments and production assignments
• apply source criticism to one's own and others' work provide and receive guidance in groups, both to raise awareness of one's own writing process and development, and to be able to guide others.
• orientate oneself independently and critically within media subject literature and find relevant material for a research project
• draw their own conclusions and discuss these critically on the basis of a large amount of material

General competence

In general, for all fields of study in the master's program in media development, the graduate:

• can reflect critically and ethically on developments in the media and the public both nationally and internationally.
• has the ability to work interdisciplinary can analyze and handle a research material critically and has the ability to think and reflect independently - also around his/hers own research role and profession
• is able to analyze professional, professional and research ethics issues

Within the field of study in journalism, the graduate must have:

• competence in presentation of both academic and journalistic material, and have developed the ability to give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• developed his journalistic skills through increased knowledge of the subject's research area and own practice
• competence for innovation and to apply their knowledge and skills in new areas of journalism
• ability to see new issues in journalism so that the graduate can ask original and fruitful questions

Within the field of study in media and communication, the graduate must have:

• competence for development and to apply their knowledge and skills in new areas within the media and communication field
• have developed the ability to give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• developed skills in media production and communication practices through increased knowledge of the research area and own practice
• ability to identify critical issues in the media and communication field so that the graduate can ask original and relevant questions
• competence to enter the role of a professional in the field of media and communication at an advanced level.
• ability to reflect critically and ethically on the role that media and communication play in a societal perspective

Within the field of study non-fiction, the graduate must have:

• competence in the presentation of both academic and practical non-fiction material, and have developed the ability to give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• competence for innovation and to apply their knowledge and skills in new areas of non-fiction
• developed her skills in non-fiction production through increased knowledge of the subject's research area and own practice
• ability to see new issues in the field of non-fiction so that the graduate can ask original and fruitful questions.

Arnhild Dordi Gjønnes

Students can apply for an exchange one semester (up to 30 credits). Exchange is possible primarily in the 2nd semester for full-time study, but exchange in the 3rd semester will also be possible, if the student chooses to postpone courses for this semester. The study is based on a large degree of freedom of choice, and the two compulsory courses are in the 1st semester (for full-time study).

To meet the requirement of a minimum of 10 credits in the fields of study in addition to the master's thesis (60 credits), the student can, for example, take one course in the field of study in the 1st semester in addition to the two compulsory courses, and then travel on exchange and take 30 credits. other educational institution in the 2nd semester.

The study program proposes that the students are to a large extent responsible for their own learning development towards the work on the master's thesis. The relevance of exchange stays for the master's thesis will therefore be decisive in the assessment of applications for exchange.The Department of Journalism and Media Studies has agreements within the Erasmus program and the Nordplus program, and students can also apply via OsloMet - the metropolitan university's agreements outside Europe.International perspectives are also safeguarded by the fact that several of the learning outcome descriptions at both program and course level are oriented towards international conditions, and by offering a number of courses in English. Both Norwegian and foreign students participate in these courses, and the students use experiences from their respective home countries in the pedagogical program.

Some of the courses include work requirements that must be approved before the student can sit for the exam in the course. This can e.g. be submissions, project assignments, oral presentations or group work. Work requirements are described in more detail in each syllabus. The work requirements help to support the course's learning outcomes, both in that the students are trained through the actual work with these assignments and in that the work requirements often ensure that the students acquire skills and knowledge that are not tested during the exam itself.

Assessment and grading are in accordance with the provisions on assessment in the Act of 1 April 2005 no. 15 On Universities and Colleges and Regulations on Studies and Examinations at OsloMet - the metropolitan university. The forms of assessment vary from subject to subject and include written assignments, production assignments, semester assignments, home exams and oral exams.

Some of the courses, including the master's thesis, have an oral assessment in addition to another form of examination. Oral examination will function as a supplement to the second form of examination in that it is possible for the student to elaborate on the second answer and show the ability for critical thinking and reflection. The master's thesis is an independent research project related to a self-chosen topic. The examination form is either a dissertation or a practical assignment in combination with a theoretical reflection note, as well as an oral examination.

In several of the courses, the student can choose between two different examination forms, either a theoretical written assignment or a practical assignment. In the latter case, the assignment consists of a production assignment with an accompanying reflection note. For those students who choose a practical variant of the master's thesis, it will usually be an advantage to choose practical assignments in individual subjects to develop the ability to produce in parallel with exercising critical reflection on their own work based on the subject's scientific theories and methods.

Use of sources / source references

It is expected that the master's students already have basic knowledge of the use of sources / source references and the use of quotations. OsloMet takes cheating very seriously, and it is important that students are familiar with the rules that apply to avoid being suspected of cheating / attempted cheating in connection with thesis writing. On this website you will also find important information about cheating https://student.OsloMet.no/retningslinjer-fusk-eksamen.

Censorship and use of supervision sensor

The Department of Journalism and Media Studies normally uses both internal and external examiners. The use of an examiner is described in more detail in the individual syllabus.In addition, the Department of Journalism and Media Studies has a supervisory examiner who will supervise the study program, cf. Regulations on studies and examinations at OsloMet and Guidelines for the appointment and use of examiners at OsloMet.

Assessment terms

A graded scale with five steps from A to E for passing and F for failing is used as the assessment expression. For assessments that end with an oral test, the grade for the second assignment can be adjusted up or down one grade. In order to be able to sit for the oral exam, the second part of the exam must be passed.Censorship can be appealed in accordance with the Universities and University Colleges Act § 5-3.We reserve the right to make changes to the program plan, as a result of e.g. regulatory changes. Changes in the syllabus also occur, and we recommend that students wait to buy textbooks until they have spoken to the individual subject teacher / course coordinator. The syllabi are adopted for one academic year at a time, so that it will be the latest syllabus that applies to the next ordinary examination and subsequent re-sit examination (new / postponed examination).