30 credits on advanced level in Media- and Communication Studies, Communication for Development or other Social Science discipline + English B.

The purpose of this course is to present students with different theoretical perspectives and concepts for studying networks, networking and the network society from the perspective of media and communication studies. The course offers student the possibility to deepen their understanding of the role of ICTs in society and societal development and to critically discuss the strengths and limitations of various approaches to network society studies.

After completing this course, students shall

1) have an in-depth understanding of different perspectives on networks, networking and the network society from the perspective of media and communication studies;

2) demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the role of ICTs in contemporary societies and processes of social change.

After completing this course, students shall

3) demonstrate the ability to formulate a research problem relevant to the theme of the course

4) demonstrate skills in theoretical and conceptual comparisons

5) demonstrate the analytical skills necessary for conducting an empirical study.

After completing this course, students shall be able to

6) critically assess assumptions related to theories of the network society

7) consider and apply research ethics to an empirical study on a topic relevant to the course content.

Learning activities consist of independent readings, lectures, seminars that take place on campus and online, and of written assignments based on empirical studies.

Students are assessed through 1) written seminar assignments and peer-feedback (learning outcomes 1, 2 and 6) (7,5 ECTS), and 2) an exam-paper based on a small-scale empirical study conducted either individually or in pairs (learning outcomes 3, 4, 5 and 7) (7,5 ECTS)

Castells, M. (2004) Informationalism, Networks, and the Network Society: A Theoretical Blueprint, Avaliable on: http://annenberg.usc.edu/sites/default/files/2015/04/28/Informationalism,%20Networks%20and%20the%20Network%20Society.pdf)

Castells, M. (2007). Communication, Power and Counter-power in the Network Society. International Journal of Communication, 1, 238-266.

van Dijck, J. (2013) The culture of connectivity: A critical history of social media. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Townsend L. and Wallace, C. (2016) Social Media Research: A Guide to Ethics. Available at: http://www.dotrural.ac.uk/socialmediaresearchethics.pdf

Each term approximately 200 pages of additional readings connected to the interchangeable thematic strands are added. Further, students should independently identify and apply additional readings (of approximately 50 pages) relevant to the specific topic addressed in their individual exam paper.

Written course evaluation carried out at the end of the course.