1212.18 - Communication and Media


Course number
1212.18
Title
Communication and Media
ECTS
5
Prerequisites
An academically oriented upper secondary diploma with a good average mark in Faroese (i.e. at least 5.8 on the 7-step marking scale or 8 on the marking scale from 00 to 13).
Purpose
To provide students with knowledge about communication and the media, including media history, forms of media, media theory, media analysis and methods. The course also emphasises enabling students to understand the interplay between media and culture, as well as to define, analyse, interpret and critically discuss media text in its communication context (herein the term ‘text’ refers to different media expressions, e.g. printed or oral text, online texts, images, audio/video clips and programmes).
Content
The course provides insight into the main concepts theories and methods applied to the interplay between culture and media in a contemporary Nordic and international context. Course reading materials include key texts on communication and media, as well as samples of classical and contemporary original text. The course discusses the printed media, broadcast media, online media and contemporary interactive social media, with regards to their emergence, development and role in modern society. Topics discussed may include: news coverage, documentaries, the Faroese party press, online social media, blogs, classical narrative forms in contemporary media, media and democracy, political communication and spin, advertising communication. Based on relevant theories and methods, selected texts, images, programmes and clips will be analysed and critically discussed in their communication context.
Learning and teaching approaches
The course is offered over one semester as two hours a week of class-based teaching. The main learning and teaching strategies used are lectures, student presentations and exercises.
Learning outcomes
Successful students can demonstrate ability to: • explain key issues and questions in communication and mass media • explain key theories about communication and mass media in cultural context • analyse mass media text discussing it in its communication context based on relevant theories and methods • demonstrate conceptual understanding of media forms and selected texts in their cultural and social context • argue for and evaluate the theories and methods applied in textual analysis
Assessment method
Oral examination with half an hour of preperation time. For the preperation the student may bring the self-chosen works and any course materials. Reexamination: Same method as the regular examination.
Examination
External
Bibliography
2 academic works on theories or methods in media analysis, as well as 1 work and 7 texts, which represent the different forms of communication and mass media; these may include written text, audio and video clips, programmes, images and private text.
Contact
Zakaris Svabo Hansen