The Media and Communication Society in Perspective

Aim

On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• account for characterising features of the history of mass media and the contemporary (Swedish) media landscape
• account for theories and research that concern communication, particularly theories of news values and influence/effects
• critically review the knowledge field of media studies,
• account for how own values and positions influence assessments of media issues.

Content

The course contains general perspectives on and theories of media and communication. Covered here are both basic media history concerning traditional mass media (press, radio, television) and perspectives on the modern media society (digital television, online magazines, etcetera). The final part of the course places specific focus on news distribution and journalism in various media. Legislation and practice concerning freedom of speech, ethics, freedom of press and the principle of public access to official documents in (the journalistic) Sweden are also covered. Organisational and marketing communication are also covered. On completion of this module, the students should have gained an overview of the field of media and communication studies, with a specialisation in theories that cover human and mediated communication.