course-details-portlet

SOS1006 - Media Sociology

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 5 hours E

Course content

In today's society, the media are among the most central social institutions. Most of what we know about our world do we know from the media. Mediated communication is central in many societal areas, for example politics, economy, culture, people’s working and private life. Understanding, explaining and critically reflecting on current social developments thus requires an understanding of the role of the media in our society.

The course provides an introduction to the study of media and mediated communication from a sociological perspective, focusing on the societal role and importance of traditional and new media. It introduces central theories, concepts and methods for researching the relationship between media and society. By doing so, it addresses a broad range of subfields of media sociology: media history, media systems and media organizations, communicators (e.g. journalists, political actors), media types (e.g. newspapers, television, internet, social media, search engines), media content, media users, and media effects. It discusses how structural circumstances (e.g., in media systems and political systems, in media organizations) influence communication (e.g., in media coverage or on social media), how media and communication influence the society as a whole, and which societal chances and risks result therefrom. The course takes up current social discussions related to the media (e.g., the increasing influence of social media on our lives, media and gender equality, filter bubbles, echo chambers) and deepens them through interactive exercises and discussions between students.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • achieve a basic introduction in, an understanding and an overview of central theories and concepts in the sociology of media.
  • achieve knowledge of different sociological approaches to the study of the role of media in society (both theoretically and methodologically).
  • achieve knowledge of different topics and developments currently discussed in media sociology.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • connect current events and developments related to the media to central theories and concepts in the sociology of media.
  • understand, explain and critically reflect on current events and developments related to the media with help of theories and concepts in media sociology.
  • can develop and conduct a quantitative content analysis.

Learning methods and activities

Teaching method and activities: 4 hours of lectures every week throughout the semester. 2 hours of group seminars and supervision in weeks related to work with the compulsory term paper (3 meetings in total). The student must hand in a compulsory term paper in which a quantitative content analysis is conducted. The term paper can be written individually or in groups up to four students. The topic of the term paper must be approved by the course coordinator. Length of the semester assignment: approx. 4500 words (12 pages of text)

Compulsory activities: The term paper has to be approved.

Length of the term paper: Approximately 4500 words (12 pages)

The term papers will only be organized, supervised and approved during the spring semester.

The lectures are held in English or Norwegian.

Compulsory assignments

  • Approved term paper

Further on evaluation

Forms of assessment: A five hour written exam.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

To be given at the start of the course.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
SVSOS123 15.0
SOS2009 7.5 AUTUMN 2011
SVMV106 15.0 AUTUMN 2012
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  15.0 SP
Study level: Foundation courses, level I

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: -

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Media Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Sociology and Political Science

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD School exam 100/100 E 2024-12-06 09:00 INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
SL311 brun sone Sluppenvegen 14 2
Spring ORD School exam 100/100 E INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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