Entry requirements

A Bachelor’s degree of 180 credits in a social science or humanities subject relevant to media and communication studies, as well as documented independent written academic work. Independent written academic work refers to one or more essays. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students are expected to:

Knowledge and understanding

• Explain and thereby demonstrate in-depth and critically reflective knowledge of key issues, debates, principles, concepts, and theories within the field of digital media and communication studies,
• Explain and thereby demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the significance of digital media and its use in contemporary cultures and societies,
• Describe current research within the field of digital media and communication studies,
• Demonstrate how central theoretical perspectives and intellectual traditions in media and communication studies can be used to analyze the contemporary media landscape.

Skills and abilities

• Critically and creatively reflect on the significance of digital media and its use in contemporary cultures and societies,
• Systematically reflect on the course literature, and independently search for and identify supplementary literature that relates to the themes of the course,
• Independently and critically present and analyze, both orally and in writing, theoretically grounded accounts of central topics and debates within the field of media and communication studies.

Judgement and approach

• Adopt an independent and critical approach toward information and research in the field of digital media and communication studies,
• Demonstrate critically reflective awareness of ethical and political perspectives on the digital media industry, media regulation, and the use of digital media.

Content

The course provides fundamental and advanced knowledge about key perspectives and intellectual traditions within media and communication studies, and knowledge about how these can be used to analyze the role that digital media play in contemporary societies. Key concepts and theoretical perspectives on digitalization, mediatization, social media, digital platforms, and AI are introduced and explored in depth in the course. The course discusses central political, economic, cultural, and ethical implications of the emerging digital media and communication landscape. It provides tools for analyzing the consequences of digital media at the individual level, as well as their implications for organizations and companies and for overall societal development. The course offers a foundation for a critical understanding and analysis of the significance of digital media in contemporary processes of change.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars and workshops are combined with individual activities and group assignments.

Assessment

The course is examined through active participation in compulsory components, including individual assignments and group work, as well as a written exam.

If special reasons exist, the examiner may make exceptions to the stated examination format and allow a student to be assessed in another way. Special reasons may include, for example, recommendations for special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator or a decision by the department's working group for study matters.