Current active subject description (last updated 2023/24)
Media, Public Sphere and Opinionmaking in the Welfare society
JOU5000
Current active subject description (last updated 2023/24)
Media, Public Sphere and Opinionmaking in the Welfare society
JOU5000
The course addresses the importance of the media and journalism for democracy, opinion creation and public debate. This particularly affects meaningful texts. Commentary journalism is a growing genre, at the same time digitization and the rise of social media have given the public new roles in the public sphere, and changed the power relationship in communication.
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Application deadline
The course focus on the role of media and journalism in relation to democracy and the creation of public opinion and meaning. The commentary journalism is an expanding genre, making background information, analysis, explanations and debate more important than before. Simultaneously, digitalization and the growth of social media have given the users new roles in the public, hence challenging the relations of power in the communication processes. The course examines the agenda setting role of media in public discourse and debates on welfare issues, and how changes in journalism challenges public opinion regarding these issues. The course will also provide an opportunity for practical exercise and we expect students to take active part in public debates on environmental issues as part of the course.
Must be admitted into Master in Journalism and Communication
Must be admitted into Master in Journalism and Communication
Knowledge
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
- Understand the basic principles of the role of journalism in relation to democracy and creation of public opinion, both today and in a historical perspective.
- Understand the development and future possibilities for the commentary genre
- Understand the basic principles of the interdisciplinary foundation of the climate debate
- Has good understanding of the scientific basis of the welfare society
Skills
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
- Produce commentary journalism
- Analyze commentary texts in relation to theories of the public role of journalism
- Demonstrate argumentation technics and analysis of your own texts
- Demonstrate substantial knowledge on welfare issues and be able to present an argumentative text in the public
General competence
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:
- Analyze the ethical dimension in relevant professional issues
- Use the knowledge and skills in new ways to implement research- and development projects on their own
- Conduct and disseminate independent work in accordance with professional and linguistic standards
- Convey extensive independent work and use professional expressions
- Communicate with both experts and the general public about climate and environmental issues, analysis and conclusions
- Understand the basic principles of and deliver consequences for the politic of climate
- Contribute to innovation and development of the commentary genre in journalism
No costs beyond tuition and textbooks
Elective course for Master in Social Science
Lectures and seminars. Session-based teaching
Annual evaluations which are included in the university´s quality assurance system.
Composite assessment (SV). Grade expression: A-F (first time 2023 spring).
Assignment 1 (OP/O) - individual comment - max. 1.5 pages or max. 10 minute film/podcast, counts for 20/100 of the grade. Rating expression: A-F.
Assignment 2 (OP/O) - individual comment - max 1.5 pages or max 10 minute film/podcast, counts 20/100 of the grade. Rating expression: A-F.
Home exam (HJ/H) - individual, 5-7 pages, over two days, counts for 60/100 of the grade. Rating expression: A-F.
Pencil, pen, ruler, simple calculator and Dictionary.
Curriculum literature
Subject language
Norwegian
Credits
10
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course coordinator
