Course - Media Sociology - SOS1006
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.
Recommended previous knowledge
SOS1000 or the equivalent.
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 |
No
Version: 1
Credits:
15.0 SP
Study level: Foundation courses, level I
Term no.: 1
Teaching semester: SPRING 2025
Language of instruction: -
Location: Trondheim
- Media Studies
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
Department with academic responsibility
Department of Sociology and Political Science
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 1 - 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.
For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"