1. Degree of Bachelor or equivalent.

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

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.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

After completing the course, students shall demonstrate:

1. 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 analysis, with particular focus on 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, students shall demonstrate:

5. The ability 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 geographical locations and accordingly to critically reflect upon their 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 students to see and reflect upon issues of power, identity, gender, race/ethnicity and globalization related to media and culture products and analysis,

11. A Capacity for intercultural dialogue and co-operation and consequently critical self- reflection of their own background and position of power, including reflection upon ethical issues in relation to their work, and

12. Ability to identify their own need of further knowledge and take responsibility for their own learning.

The course is given as distance learning, with regular online lectures and two intensive 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 online. All teaching activities are video streamed online so students who are not able to attend in person can actively participate. We strongly encourage all students to attend teaching activities in “real time”.

Communication and Development Cooperation Written Assignment (3.5 credits)

Written 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, 6, 9 and 12.

Communication and Development Cooperation Group Presentation (2 credits)

Students work together in groups to analyse a selection of development cooperation organisations and present their findings during an oral presentation.

Assignment. This assignment assesses learning outcomes 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

Communication and Development Cooperation Literature Review Assignment (2 credits).

Students work together in groups or pairs to analyse a selection of readings and present their findings during an oral presentation. This assignment assesses learning outcomes 3, 8, 10, 11 and 12.

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, 10 and 12.

Lists of further recommended and additional readings?for?both?modules?are listed on the course site.

An anonymous electronic course evaluation is made at the end of the course. The electronic evaluation is accessible for all students.

Access to computer with video and audio capability and Internet connection (broadband) is required.