course-details-portlet

SOS2009 - Media and Society

About

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
School exam 100/100 4 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.

Learning methods and activities

4 hours of lectures every week throughout the first half of the semester. Some of the lectures may be held in English.

Further on evaluation

Form of assessment: A four hour written exam.

Required previous knowledge

None.

Course materials

To be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From To
SOS1006 7.5 AUTUMN 2011
SVSOS123 7.5 AUTUMN 2014
SVMV106 7.5 AUTUMN 2014
More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Foundation courses, level I

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  SPRING 2025

Language of instruction: -

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • 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
SL310 lilla sone Sluppenvegen 14 9
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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