Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree with at least 90 credits in one main area of study, including a 15 credits independently written academic work in that area, or the equivalent, or an academic degree of at least 180 credits and at least two years of work experience in a field relevant for the degree.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

1. Account for the fundamental features of the emergence of media and journalism research and its disciplinary connection.

2. Account for and analyse changes in the production processes of journalism, presentation forms and patterns of use in relation to digitisation, globalisation and commercialisation.

3. Describe and analyse the relation of journalism to the society during different epochs and in different social system as well as relate it to how diffusion of information and formation of public opinion take place.

4. Account for central legal and ethical rules that apply to journalistic activities in Sweden as well as be oriented in current debate about media law and media ethics.

5. Account for methods in the journalistic profession (e.g. observation, interview, survey, source assessment and criticism) and the scientific analysis of journalistic work (e.g. news evaluation, agenda setting, framing), organisation (e.g. institutional, critical economic-political and cultural), contents (e.g. semiotics, rhetoric, narrative analysis and discourse theory) and audience (e.g effects, influence and use).

6. Search and make use of current research and development work about journalism.

7. Present and use knowledge about the journalistic reportage, its history, forms and current conditions.

Skills and competences

8. Search, collect and evaluate relevant information to plan and carry out journalistic and scientific tasks.

9. Independently and in collaboration with others be able to identify, formulate, discuss and accomplish journalistic and scientific tasks.

10. Use different kinds of information and integrate this information to new knowledge in one's own work.

11. Work against clear deadlines and handle time pressure in journalistic and scientific work.

12. Independently communicate journalism in different genres.

13. Independently and in dialogue with other present and critically discuss journalistic and scientific assignments.

Judgement and approach

14. Analyse and choose appropriate theories and methods in the scientific analysis of the conditions of journalism, its processes and results.

15. Analyse journalistic and scientific works from different societal perspective with special regards to questions about democracy and social, economic and ecological sustainability.

16. Reflect on and handle ethical problems in journalistic and scientific work as well as to find solutions to these problems.

17. Independently reflect on the social roles and powers of the media, journalism and journalism research and on one's own responsibility as a journalist.

18. Discuss and constructively criticize one's own performance and find paths of development through such self-reflection.

The learning outcomes are used and assessed in the following way:

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 10 credits

The module offers basic knowledge of the journalist's work and forms of expression, where news and reportage are particularly emphasized. Outcome 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are covered.

Module 2: Journalism and the contemporary media landscape, 5 credits

The module offers knowledge and tools for analysing the contemporary structure and conditions of the Swedish media landscape and to independently and critically analyse journalism, its societal role and its forms of expression scientifically. Outcome 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10 and 11 are covered.

Module 3: Journalism, global media and society, 7.5 credits

The module offers in-depth knowledge on contemporary roles and challenges of journalism and media in a globalized and changing media landscape. Outcome 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 are covered.

Module 4: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

The module develops skills in journalistic work in the form of narrative, investigative or science-oriented journalism. The module deepens the knowledge in journalistic work as well as broadens the journalistic forms of expression with web, images and social media. Outcome 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are covered.

Module 5: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

The module makes the students acquainted with the legislation in the media sector, debate about media law and media ethics as well as develops their ability to independently discuss and assess professional ethical questions. Outcome 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 16 are covered.

Module 6: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

The module communicates practical experiences about working forms and working methods in journalism as well as provide an opportunity to reflection over profession, professional role and labour market. Outcome 2, 11, 13, 17 and 18 are covered.

Module 7: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The module further deepens the knowledge in journalistic and scientific work. It takes place through a qualified investigative journalism project and a scientific analysis of one's own methods, process and the results. Outcome 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18 are covered.

Content

The course gives general journalistic skills where the assignment and role of the reporter are particularly emphasized. The student develops the ability to process their own field of knowledge in different journalistic forms. Independent and critical analysis of journalistic texts, journalistic work and the media are essential features of the education. The course intends to educate students who can work with qualified journalistic assignments in an in-depth and creative way.

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 10 credits

The course gives an introduction to journalism, its tools and methods. General journalistic skills in generating ideas, in searching and using information as well as to process it for appropriate form of publication is studied and practiced. The language of journalism is treated. Journalistic genres such as news, chronicle and reportages are practiced.

Module 2: Journalism and the contemporary media landscape, 5 credits

The relationship of media and journalism to other institutions in society is studied. Theories about the relation between society and media/journalism are introduced. Current debate and criticism of media and journalism are discussed and analysed. The module also introduce the discipline media and communication studies.

Module 3: Journalism, global media and society, 7.5 credits

The course provides knowledge of the contemporary roles and challenges for journalism and media in a globalized and changing media landscape. The relationship between journalism, democracy and citizens is theoretically examined and discussed. Current debates about global journalism are introduced, further enriched by critical theories and approaches on media and journalism. The course looks at the new forms of professional journalism in the digital media landscape. It also examines issues related to a nuanced and inclusive journalism, addressing the debates and theoretical approaches on diversity, gender, ethnicity and minorities in the media and the news.

Module 4: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

During the module, different ways to organise journalistic production are presented and discussed. Web, images and social media as tools for and elements in journalistic work are studied. If possible, an editorial project work in collaboration with local/regional media is carried out.

Module 5: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

The course gives an overview of laws and ethical rules for the media in Sweden. The legal fields that are treated are fundamental freedoms and rights of speech and press, freedom of information and access to public information, company secrets and copyright. Current debates on ethics and law for media and journalism is introduced.

Module 6: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

The internship period covers six weeks, and consists of supervised professional training in a media organisation. In connection with the internship, conditions and processes of change on the labour market of journalism are studied.

Module 7: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The project work is carried out individually and should display a qualified journalistic reportage production - through collection, processing and presentation of material. Through taking on current topics with rigorous journalistic methods, the project work should present a clear contribution to journalism in the particular field that is treated. The work is presented in journalistic forms appropriate for the assignment. In a project reflection the method, process and result is analysed from scientific and professional perspectives.

Instruction

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 10 credits

Lectures, seminars and exercises. Participation in seminars and exercises is compulsory. Occasional lectures may be compulsory.

Module 2: Journalism and the contemporary media landscape, 5 credits

Lectures and seminars.

Module 3: Journalism, global media and society, 7.5 credits

Lectures and seminars.

Module 4: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

Lectures, seminars and exercises.

Module 5: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

Lectures and seminars.

Module 6: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

Lectures, internship and seminars. The professional training is introduced and followed up by seminars that prepare for, conclude and deepen the experiences from the internship period.

Module 7: Reportage Project, 15 credits

Lectures, supervision, and seminars.

Assessment

Module 1: The Foundations of Journalism, 10 credits

The module is examined through seminars, submission of practical assignments, student feedback and oral opposition at required text seminars. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 2: Journalism and the contemporary media landscape, 5 credits

The module is examined through seminars and a written examination assignment. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 3: Journalism, global media and society, 7.5 credits

The module is examined through seminars and a written examination assignment. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 4: Journalist in the Field and on the Web, 7.5 credits

The module is examined through a written assignment and group exercises. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 5: Law and Ethics for Journalists, 5 credits

The module is examined through seminars and a written examination assignment. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

Module 6: Labour market and internship, 10 credits

The module is examined through completed internship, a written assignment and a seminar. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U) or Pass (G).

Module 7: Reportage Project, 15 credits

The module is examined through presentation of the individual project, oral critical review on another student's project, final seminars, completed peer review/assessment, submission of own reportage, project reflection and logbook. The course is assessed with the grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.