Course syllabus spring 2017
Course syllabus spring 2017
Title
Communication, Culture and Media Analysis
Swedish title
Communication, Culture and Media Analysis
Course code
KK621C
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
2016-12-14
Syllabus valid from
2017-01-16
Entry requirements
1. Degree of Bachelor or equivalent.
2. The equivalent of English course B in Swedish secondary school.
Level
Advanced level
Main field
Communication for Development
Progression level
A1N
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
Compulsory course for the Master Degree in Communication for Development
Course contents
This course examines the institutional and organisational contexts surrounding Communication for Development. The course also examines textual analysis as a tool for decoding representations of development and social change. It is divided into two modules; ‘Communication and Development Cooperation’ (7,5 credits) and ‘Culture and Media Analysis’ (7,5 credits). The modules are connected in the sense that the first module focuses on a range of communication for development organisations and the discourses of which they are part while in the second module students conduct in-depth analysis of selected media texts and/or practices to better understand the discourses they make up, or which surround them.
In the first module students will be examining organisations, networks and/or partnerships working with development/social change and their communication for development initiatives. The second module focuses on analytical approaches to media/texts as practices and examples of communication for development/social change. The module combines questions of identity and representation into an in-depth analysis of selected media texts in their cultural and historical environment and in a context of social change and development processes.
Learning outcomes
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
1. An in-depth knowledge of the relationship between development cooperation organisations and their communication for development initiatives and strategies,
2. An understanding of communication policies and practices of selected development organizations and movements,
3. In-depth knowledge of theories related to communication, culture and media studies, with particular focus on identity and representation, and
4. a synergized understanding of different theories of communication and development, and a deeper understanding of the integration of both traditions and their practical application.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
5. That he/she is equipped with in-depth tools to analyse the content of particular media, communication for social change and cultural products,
6. The 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,
7. An analytical approach to media/texts as practices and examples of communication for development/social change,
8. The capacity to work in a group with participants from different cultural backgrounds and accordingly to critically reflect upon his/her own background and power position.
CRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH
After completing the course, the student shall demonstrate:
9. An awareness and ability to critically analyse communication, media and cultural products,
10. A critical perspective which enables him/her to see and reflect upon issues of power, identity, gender, race/ethnicity and globalization related to media and culture products and analysis,
11. 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, and
12. Ability to identify his/her own need of further knowledge and take responsibility for his/her own learning.
Learning activities
The course is given as distance learning, with two week-end seminars. A collaborative pedagogy is applied, based on the productive use of group dynamics through peer reviewing and other forms of interactive communication on the Internet. The seminars at Malmö University are compulsory. They are broadcast via streaming video and can be followed online by those international students who are not able to attend in person.
Assessment
Communication and Development Cooperation
Communication and Development Cooperation Assignment 1 (4 credits) Organisation analysis - students research an organization engaged in international development cooperation or social change initiatives with the aim of gaining a deeper understanding of that organisation’s communication for development work. This assignment assesses learning outcomes 1, 2, 4, 8
Communication and Development Cooperation Assignment 2 (3.5 credits). Group Work Assignment. This assignment assesses learning outcomes 3, 8, 10, 11 and 12
Culture and Media Analysis
Textual analysis 7.5 credits – students write an in depth textual analysis applying selected analytical techniques to specific media texts. This assignment assesses learning outcomes 3, 5, 6, 7, 9
Course literature and other study material
Joint reading module 1 - Communication and Development Cooperation
Dogra, Nandita (2012). Representations of Global Poverty : Aid, Development and International NGOs. London: I.B. Tauris
Enghel, Fliorencia & Karin Wilkins (eds.) (2012). Communication, Media and Development : Problems and Perspectives. Nordicom Review vol. 33 Available at: http:www.nordicom.gu.se/?portal=publ&main=info_publ2.php&ex=362&me=2 or Glocal Times, issue 17/18 http:glocaltimes.se
Hemer, Oscar and Thomas Tufte (eds. 2005) Media and Glocal Change. Rethinking Communication for Development. Buenos Aires, Göteborg: CLACSO/Nordicom. Available at: http:bibliotecavirtual.clacso.org.ar/ar/libros/edicion/media/media.html
Manyozo, Linje (2012) Media, Communication and Development: Three Approaches. New Delhi: Sage
Pieterse, Jan Nederveen (2010) Development Theory. 2nd edition. London: Sage.
Quarry, Wendy & Ramírez, Ricardo (2009) Communication for Another Development: Listening Before Telling. London: Zed Books.
Richey, Lisa Ann (Ed.) (2016) Celebrity Humanitarianism and North-South Relations: Politics, Place and Power. Oxon: Routledge.
Richey, Lisa and Ponte, Stefano (2011) Brand Aid: Shopping well to save the world. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.
Scott, Martin (2014) Media and Development. London: Zed
Lists of further recommended and additional reading for the module are listed on the course site.
Joint reading module 2 - Culture and Media Analysis
Bunce, Mel. Franks, Suzanne and Paterson, Chris (Eds) (2017) Africa's Media Image in the 21st Century: From the "Heart of Darkness" to "Africa Rising" London: Routledge
Dogra, Nandita (2012). Representations of Global Poverty : Aid, Development and International NGOs. London: I.B. Tauris
Hall, Stuart, Evans, Jessica and Nixon, Sean (ed.) (2013) Representations. Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices, Second Edition. London: Sage.
Pink, Sarah (ed.) (2012) Advances in Visual Methodology. London: Sage
Richey, Lisa Ann (Ed.) (2015) Celebrity Humanitarianism and North-South Relations: Politics, Place and Power. Oxon: Routledge.
Rose, Gillian (2011) Visual Methodologies. London: Sage
Scott, Martin (2014) “Media and Development”. London: Zed Books (specifically chapters 5 and 6)
Lists of further recommended and additional reading for the module are listed on the course site.
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.