1. Degree of Bachelor or equivalent.
2. General eligibility + the equivalent of English course B in Swedish secondary school.
Single subject course.
Communication for Development is an interdisciplinary field of study and practice at advanced level, combining development, communication and globalization studies and integrating them with practical field work. It explores the use of communication – both as a tool and as a way of articulating processes of social change – within the contexts of globalization.
Communication for Development consists of the following modules:
-Globalization and Communication (9 credits)
-Culture and Development (6 credits)
-Communication and Development Cooperation (6 credits)
-Culture and Media Analysis (9 credits)
-New Media, ICT and Development (9 credits)
-Research Methodology (6 credits)
-Project Work (15 credits)
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
The student shall demonstrate:
- broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of the political, social, economic and cultural consequences of globalisation, with particular emphasis on cultural and sociological analyses as well as the “post-colonial” perspective of theory formation.
- knowledge of different theories of and current research in communication and development, and in-depth understanding of the integration of both traditions and their practical application.
- an understanding of international development cooperation; that is, to be able to identify the actors in the field on multilateral, bilateral and local levels, as well as the ability to analyse current trends.
- an understanding of the following subjects, and in-depth knowledge of at least one: Media, Democracy and the Public Sphere; Media and Conflict/Peace Communication; Health Communication; Environment and Sustainable Development; Art, Heritage and Social Change; Diversity Communication.
SKILLS AND ABILITY
The student shall demonstrate:
- ability to independently analyse media and cultural artefacts and articulate the importance of media and culture – including new information and communication technology – for global development and social change.
- skill to evaluate communicative programmes from a global and local development perspective, and be able to convert this analysis into practice under difficult conditions and with few resources.
- ability to scientifically analyse and practically implement data and experience that has been collected by student himself/herself.
- ability to use advanced critical source analysis when collecting data, especially on the internet.
CRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH
The student shall demonstrate
- ability to critically reflect on the various parts of the process of communication, and his/her own role as communicator or mediator.
- capacity for intercultural dialogue and co-operation and consequently critical self- reflection of his/her own background and position of power, including reflection upon ethical issues in relation to his/her work.
- ability to identify his/her own need of further knowledge and take responsibility for his/her own learning.
PERSPECTIVES
Gender, ethnicity/migration saturate the whole programme, but are particularly distinguished in the courses Media, Globalization and Development and Communication, Media and Culture Analysis. Regarding the environmental perspective, Communication for Development emphasizes local initiatives and participation at grass-root level in order to achieve a sustainable development..
The form of study is a combination of live seminars and communication on the web. The seminars (2-3 days) are compulsory and consist of lectures, discussions and workshops. For overseas students who cannot physically attend it is possible to follow the seminars on-line. In between the seminars the students carry out assignments individually and in groups.
Written assignments, oral presentations and problem solving workshops. Communication for Development values group interaction and the ability to give and receive feedback from peers will be assessed.
The following aspects are especially taken into account in the examination:
-Knowledge about different theories and methods and ability to use them in relevant contexts.
-Analytical skill and independent thinking.
-Capability to implement the course literature in broader perspectives.
A-bility to critically reflect upon course literature, his/her own position and the work conducted by peers.
Workshops and seminars are part of the examination and therefore compulsory.
Joint reading list
This list will help you get an overview of literature that you are expected to read and relate to. In brackets it is indicated on which module the title is most relevant.
It is likely that you will find several books, for instance Manuel Castells´ trilogy , useful for different assessments. Apart from the compulsory reading listed below you should always consult the literature list of each module. There you will find material that is available electronically and also recommended additional reading that might be very useful to you.
Appadurai, Arjun (1996) Modernity at Large: Cultural Dimensions of Globalization . Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press. (1, 2)
Ashcroft, Bill (2001) Post-Colonial Transformation . London: Routledge. (2)
Bauman, Zygmunt (1998) Globalization. The Human Consequences . Cambridge: Polity Press. ( 1)
Castells, Manuel (1999) The Information Age . Oxford: Blackwell. (1)
I.The Rise of The Network Society (1996):
II. The Power of Identity (1997):
III. End of Millennium (1998)
Castells, Manuel (2001) The internet galaxy: reflections on the internet, business, and society . Oxford: Oxford University Press. (5)
Cesaire, Aime (1972) Discourse on Colonialism. New York: Monthly Review Press. (2)
Curran, James and Park, Myung Jin (2000) ‘Beyond Globalization Theory’, in Curran and Park, eds.: De-Westernizing Media Studies . London Routledge, p 3-18 (1)
Eriksson Baaz, Maria (2005) The paternalism of partnership : a postcolonial reading of identity in development aid. New York; London: Zed Books. (3)
Hall, Stuart, (ed.) (1997) Representations. Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices . London: Sage. (4)
Hansen, Anders (1998) Mass Communication Research Methods . Basingstoke:Macmillan. (4 and 6)
Hemer, Oscar and Tufte, Thomas, eds. (2005) Media and Glocal Change. Rethinking Communication for Development . Buenos Aires; Göteborg: CLACSO/Nordicom. (all modules)
hooks, bell (1992) Black Looks: Race and Representation. Boston, MA: South End Press. (2)
Kvale, Steinar (1996) Interviews – an Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing London:Sage. (6)
Nederveen Pieterse, Jan (2001) Development Theory – deconstructions/reconstructions . London: Sage. (3)
Nederveen Pieterse, Jan (2004) Globalization and Culture: global mélange . Lanham, Md.; Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield. (1, 2)
Schech, Susanne & Haggins, Jane (2000) Culture and Development. A Critical Introduction . London: Blackwell. (3, 4)
Schrøder, K, Drotner, K, Kline, S & Murray, C (2003) Researching Audiences . London: Arnold. (6)
Singhal, Arvind and Rogers, Everett M (2001) India's Communication Revolution: From Bullock Carts to Cyber Marts London: Sage. (5)
The course is evaluated continuously. At the end of the course a major evaluation is conducted concerning the learning outcomes and the working methods.