Course - Media and Society - SOS2009
Media and Society
Choose study yearAssessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
In today's society, the media are among the most central social institutions. Much of what we know about our world do we know from traditional and new media. Mediated communication is central in many societal areas, for example politics, economy, culture, people’s working and private life. Understanding, explaining and critically reflecting on current social developments thus requires an understanding of the role of the media in our society.
The course provides an introduction to the study of media and mediated communication from a sociological perspective, focusing on the societal role and importance of traditional and new media. It introduces into central theories, concepts and methods for researching the relationship between media and society. By doing so, it the course addresses a broad range of subfields of media sociology: media history, media systems and media organizations, communicators (e.g. journalists, political actors), media types (e.g. newspapers, television, internet, social media, search engines, artificial intelligence), media content, media users, and media effects. It discusses how structural circumstances (e.g., in media systems, in and political systems and, in media organizations) influence communication (e.g., in news media coverage or on social media), how media and communication influence our society as a whole and us as individuals, and which societal chances and risks result therefrom. The course takes up current social discussions related to the media (e.g., the increasing influence of social media and artificial intelligence on our society, media and gender equality, filter bubbles, echo chambers). Interactive exercises and discussions between students are used to increase student learning. and deepens them through interactive exercises and discussions between students.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, the student has:
- up-to date knowledge on and understanding of central theories, concepts and methods in the study on the media’s role in society.
- proper knowledge on media-sociological perspectives on current societal developments related with traditional and new media.
- proper knowledge of opportunities and risks associated with the media for society.
Skills
After completing the course, the student can:
- explain central theories and concepts in the sociology of media.
- apply central theories and concepts in the sociology of media to current societal events and developments related to the media.
- critically reflect on opportunities and risks associated with the media for society.
Learning methods and activities
4 hours of lectures every week throughout the first half of the semester which include student-active learning activities and academic writing training. The lectures are held in English or Norwegian.
Further on evaluation
The final grade in the course is based on two partial assessments: a multiple-choice exam under supervision (1 hour) that counts 20% and a take-home exam (3 days) that counts 80%.
In case of retakes, partial assessments can be taken up individually.
Recommended previous knowledge
SOS1000 or the equivalent.
Required previous knowledge
None.
Course materials
To be announced at the beginning of the semester.
Credit reductions
Course code | Reduction | From |
---|---|---|
SOS1006 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2011 |
SVSOS123 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2014 |
SVMV106 | 7.5 sp | Autumn 2014 |
Subject areas
- Media and Communication Studies
- Media Studies
- Social Sciences
- Sociology