Course content

The course addresses key issues related to modern media and digitalization and offers analytical tools to enable the students to think critically on the importance of media development and digitalization for social organization. Over the last decade, we have seen a new wave of digitalization. Various digital platforms, such as social media, search engines, streaming platforms, content aggregators and different types of AI, have become key arenas for the development of media and society. Processes of digitalization affect all aspects of social life and social organization, from microphenomena such as identity formation to macrophenomena such as economics, politics and social divisions. Naturally, issues related to digitalization and modern media have become part of most of the sub-fields of sociology, but often without having the tools to systematically reflect the relationship between the technological/material and the social aspects. SOS3520 enables the students to do just that. The course will present current and relevant research and raise current topics and debates related to media development with a special focus on consequences for citizenship. Current topics to be discussed are for example the influence of digital platforms on our lives, filter bubbles and echo chambers or disinformation ("fake news"), and the consequences of the emergence of GenAI for journalism and media.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

• acquire knowledge of current international theory and methods development in the field of modern media and digitalization.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

• systematically reflect on the importance of media development and digitalization for societal development, and be able to critically reflect on the characteristics and significance of different digital plattforms.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars.

If 6 or fewer students attend the course in the first two weeks of teaching, the course will be given as an individual study course with supervision.

Compulsory assignments

• Group based research assignment with oral presentation and project report

Required previous knowledge

60 credits including SOS1002 or an equivalent course in research methods. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Credit reductions