Course syllabus spring 2016
Course syllabus spring 2016
Title
New Media, ICT and Development
Swedish title
New Media, ICT and Development
Course code
KK622C
Credits
7.5 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2014-12-10
Syllabus valid from
2015-01-19
Entry requirements
Prerequisite courses for this course are: KK620C Media, Globalization and Development (passed) and KK621C Communication, Culture and Media Analysis (passed)
Level
Advanced level
Main field
Communication for Development
Progression level
A1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
Compulsory course for the Master Degree in Communication for Development
Course contents
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and new media are considered important aspects of development and social change. The aim of this course is to explore ICT and new media for social change by reflecting on their integration into existing media, communication and international development contexts as well as their changing forms and practices, including social media, open and big data.
The course covers three central themes:
(I) ICT4D AND PARTICIPATORY MEDIA APPROACHES TO DEVELOPMENT
(II) NEW MEDIA ACTIVISM AND DEVELOPMENT
(III) SOCIAL MEDIA, DATA AND DEVELOPMENT
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
- A deepened understanding of the role of new media and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for development, and the significance of the digital revolution in a global perspective, with special regard to governance and civic participation;
- A specific knowledge of the potential for ‘informatisation’ as a development strategy, and for using ICT in international development cooperation;
- Demonstrate an understanding of how new media and ICT are analysed and theorised in media and communication studies.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
- The ability to do advanced information retrieval on the internet;
- The ability to critically review literature on new media, social change and development;
- The ability to present his/her academic work in written, oral and other relevant forms, e.g. through weblogs.
CRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
- A critical understanding of media literacy;
- The ability to problematize the impact of new media and ICT;
- The ability to critically reflect upon the role of ICT and new media in specific development and social change contexts, with societal, cultural and ethical aspects taken into consideration.
Learning activities
The course’s foundations are online lectures and tutorials. A collaborative pedagogy is applied, based on the productive use of group dynamics through peer reviewing and other forms of interactive communication on the Internet. The lectures are broadcasted via streaming video and can be followed online by international students who are not able to attend in person.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out in two integrated assignments. One assignment is a group assignment (3.5 ECTS), the other an individual assignment (4 ECTS). Collaborative group work and peer-review form part of the assessments.
The group assignment consists two (2) parts:
- A practical hands-on exercise involving the creation of a blog, submitting blog posts and participating in a mandatory group presentation,
- A group report reflecting on the blog exercise including group dynamics.
The individual assignment critically reviews ideas, arguments and discussions from the course literature. Teachers suggest some cases and resources, but the students are encouraged to analyse additional examples that fall within the themes of the course.
The group assignment is primarily linked to learning outcomes listed under SKILLS AND ABILITIES and CHRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH ; the individual assignment focuses on learning outcomes listed under KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING and CRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH.
Course literature and other study material
Cammaerts, B. and Carpentier, N. (eds) (2007) Reclaiming the media: communication rights and democratic media roles. Intellect: Bristol, UK.
Denskus, T., Papan, A. 2013: Reflexive engagements: the international development blogging evolution and its challenges, Development in Practice 23: 435-447.
Denskus, T., Esser, D. 2013: Social Media and Global Development Rituals: a content analysis of blogs and tweets on the 2010 MDG Summit, Third World Quarterly 34: 409-424.
Lievrouw, Leah (2011) Alternative and Activist New Media. Oxford: Polity Press.
Lists of further recommended and additional reading for the module are listed under the course site.
Mayer-Schönberger, V., Cukier, K. 2013: Big Data: A Revolution That Will Transform How We Live, Work, and Think. London: John Murray Publishers.
Taub, A. 2012: Beyond #Kony2012: Atrocity, Awareness + Activism in the Internet Age, Leanpub ebook.
Course evaluation
An anonymous electronic course evaluation is made at the end of the course. The electronic evaluation is accessible for all students.
Additional information
Access to computer with Internet connection is required.