Course syllabus spring 2015
Course syllabus spring 2015
Title
Communication for Development: Degree Project
Swedish title
Communication for Development: Degree Project
Course code
KK624C
Credits
15 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
2012-08-29
Syllabus valid from
2013-01-21
Entry requirements
The completion of minimum 30 credits of the Master of Arts with a major in Communication for Development.
Level
Advanced level
Main field
Communication for Development
Progression level
A1E
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is mandatory for the Master of Arts with a major in Communication for Development (60 credits).
Course contents
The degree project is the final and most extensive part of the Master of Arts with a major in Communication for Development, and this course offers an opportunity to investigate a specific area of Communication for Development. The project work must deal with one or more of the central themes of Communication for Development; that is Media, Globalization and Development; Communication, Culture and Media Analysis; ICT, New Media and Development or/and Research Methodologies (names of courses leading into the 4th and final term Degree Project. It could, for example, involve research on development aid projects of which media development forms an integral part. The field work does not necessarily have to be carried out in a developing country. The global in the local context is highly relevant to explore.
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
- knowledge about research within the broader academic and practical field of Communication for Development,
- in-depth insights into current and relevant research in the particular field of study, and
- in-depth knowledge of a variety of methods of relevance for the field Communication for Development.
SKILLS AND CAPACITIES
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
- ability to independently identify and formulate research questions, to plan and with the help of adequate methods carry out a theoretically informed investigation of empirical material within given time frames,
- the ability to combine complex and advanced theoretical and methodological knowledge gained in the program,
- the ability to plan, execute and carry out field works or other empirical investigation (e.g. online ethnography, analysis of policy documents or other) within the field of Communication of Development,
- ability to both scientifically analyze and practically implement data and experience that has been collected by the student himself/herself,
- ability to use advanced critical source analysis when collecting data, especially on the internet,
- ability to, both in oral and written form, clearly present and discuss his/her conclusions, as well as the knowledge and argumentation that form the basis of these in dialogue with different groups,
- the ability to relate their own research to the broader academic and practical fields of Communication for Development,
- the ability to complement academic research with other forms of communication, such as visual expressions, moving images, sound collages, photographs, or other, and
- the skills to assess the validity and reliability of his/her own work and work process (self reflectivity), as well as doing critical and constructive reviewing of related research, including other students’ degree project work in process or at the end seminar/examination.
CRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
- the capacity to critically reflect upon their own role and position as researchers, such as power issues, ethical aspects as well as limitations and strengths of the outcome result,
- the critical awareness needed to discuss and analyze ethical problems connected to research in the area Communication for Development,
- awareness of risks and harms of different research methods and designs in Communication for Development research
Learning activities
Tuition and supervision, lecturers, peer review seminars, process seminars (feed back on draft works), field work/empirical studies, literature studies, individual studies.
Assessment
The student is assessed on the basis of an academic thesis in the form of an analysis of a well-defined and focused theme within Communication for Development. The analysis must be based on a clear theoretical and methodological framework and on empirical data analysis, for example by utilizing field work data produced for the course or/and earlier during the MA course work.
The following criteria will be of special importance when grading the assignment:
- the ability to make a well-written and coherent academic thesis, with theoretical as well as analytical depth and reflections,
- the ability to place the empirical findings and conclusions within the academic and practical field of Communication for Development,
- insights to critically reflect upon their own role and position as researchers, to incorporate review critique from student peers and staff/examiners during process seminars (the student is only assessed on the final written work), and
- the capacity to conduct independent and original work.
Course literature and other study material
Literature for the degree project is chosen in consultation with coordinating staff and the personal supervisor. (e.g. The Project Plan outlines a preliminary bibliography discussed with the supervisor)
General recommendations:
Hemer, Oscar & Tufte, Thomas (eds) (2005) Media and Glocal Change. Rethinking Communication for Development. Buenos Aires: CLACSO.
Cottle, Hansen, et al (1998) Mass Communication Research Methods. Basingstoke: Macmillan.
Pickering, Michael (ed. 2008) Research
Methods for Cultural Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
Björk and Räisänen (eds) (2000) Academic Writing. 2nd edition. Chatwell-Bratt: Bromley
Rudestam and Newton (eds) (2007) Surviving Your Dissertation. 3rd edition. London: Sage.
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 (broadband) is required.