1. Degree of Bachelor or equivalent.

2. The equivalent of English course B in Swedish secondary school.

This course establishes a global perspective and provides a general introduction to the key concepts of Globalisation, Communication/Media, Culture, Development and the Postcolonial/Decolonial.

The course is divided in two modules, ‘Globalisation and Communication’ (7.5 credits) and ‘Development and Postcolonialism’ (7.5 credits).

The first module gives a broad introduction to globalisation debates in relation to questions of communication, media and social change, stressing the cultural rather than economic aspects.

The sequel module 2 gives an introduction to development theory, complemented with emphasis on postcolonial/decolonial theory and writing. We study cultural approaches to development, from early modernisation to present day approaches. Special attention is paid to the journalistic, documentary and literary depictions of a globalized world, and especially the global South.

After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:

1. A broad understanding of globalization processes with specific attention to communication, culture, the postcolonial, and media, in the context of global and local change,

2. A deepened understanding of the relationship between culture, development and identity, with special regard to identity politics,

3. A broad knowledge of current trends in the global media industry, with focus on transnational communication and public spheres,

4. A knowledge of postcolonial theory and writing and development theories with an emphasis on the tension between development aid, poverty reduction, cultural conditions and policies for development and social change.

After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:

5. The ability to critically assess the role of media, culture and communication in globalization processes,

6. The ability to analyze media and cultural texts or communication products and their role in, or connection to, ideas and processes of development,

7. The capacity to work in a group with participants from different cultural backgrounds, to interact online, and accordingly to critically reflect upon the different learning activities of the programme and one’s own background and position.

After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:

8. The ability to critically reflect upon the relationship between globalisation, culture, communication and development,

9. That he/she is equipped to critically analyse development theories in a historical perspective, as well as tensions and affinities between development and postcolonial studies,

10. An engagement in critical discussion on the value and role of globalisation for an analysis of culture.

The course is given as a hybrid model of distance as well as in-situ learning, with weekly live campus as well as online - learning activities (based on attendance online or in person on campus, or where the activity takes place). In addition, online asynchronous class guidance/discussion and exercises are offered. A collaborative pedagogy is applied, based on the productive use of group dynamics through oral or written peer reviewing and other forms of interactive communication on the Internet. The activities/seminars are broadcast via streaming video (with a variety of chat and break out rooms. Recordings of events for revision learning and later reuse also takes place.

Assessment in the course is carried out in three different assignments

Module 1. Globalization and Communication:

Thematic literature in the form of articles and selections from anthologies to be added

Further academic articles to be added. In addition, a range of literary, documentary and journalistic readings/depictions will be offered as essay options.

The University provides all students who are participating in, or have completed, a course to express their experiences and views on the course through a course evaluation which is organized at the end of the course. The university will collate the course evaluations and provide information about their results and any actions prompted by them. The results shall be made available to the students. (HF 1:14).

When a course is no longer given, or the contents have been radically changed, the student has the right to re-take the examination, which will be given twice during a one-year period, according to the syllabus which was valid at the time of registration.

Access to computer with Internet connection (broadband) is required.