The course aims to give knowledge of the concept of representation through a set of theoretical concepts used to understand how media shape culture and society. Also, the course allows students to become critical consumers and producers of media. Central to the course is the analysis of ways in which media create and support power relations in terms of gender, sexuality, ethnicity and class.

In this course students will learn how to do analysis of media texts; gain an understanding of how the economic structuring of the media relates to media content; understand the psychological and political effects of stereotyping; review anti-bias progress made and to learn about actions and policies that encourage more diversified media representations of underrepresented populations. Students will also learn to produce media responding to these different representations. The course is held in English to allow its participants to train active participation in debates on media and representation and to present their own perspective on these in English.

After completing this course, students ought to

• describe and reflect on forms of media representation (1)

• describe and reflect on social, technical, and cultural aspects of media representations (2)

• show the ability to analyse forms and content of media representations (3)

• reflect critically on media representations and discuss these with a perspective on gender, sexuality, ethnicity and class (4)

• show the ability to discuss media representations in English language (5)

• show the ability to produce media responding to media representations (6)

The course depends on the students' activity and learning. Teaching forms used are lectures, seminars, group work under supervision.

Individual Media Analysis: 2,5 hp (learning outcomes 1,2,3,4 and 5)

Media production in groups (together with individual reflection): 5 hp (learning outcomes 1,2,3,4, 5 and 6)

The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).

If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students will be offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.

Swedish name: Medie- och kommunikationsvetenskap: Medier och representationer