MEVIT4322 – Controversies surrounding media and identities

Drawing on recent research and on-going public debates, this course addresses controversial and difficult issues tied to identities, representation, and diversity in media studies. One of the most significant is the representation of minorities and marginalized groups in journalism and news media. Studies across the world have shown that media hierarchies and news values lead to overshadowing and marginalisation of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, often reinforcing processes of silence and invisibility imposed by past injustices. Over the past decades, there has however been increasing recognition of the consequences and effects of unjust state policies, colonialism and racism. The course investigates theories and recent research on such issues in journalism and media, focusing particularly on the role of journalism in thematizing and reporting on commissions of inquiry. In the autumn 2024, the course will address conflicts and debates on the consequences of the "Green shift".

Knowledge

• Know central debates concerning media, journalism and post/neo-colonialism
• Have in-depth knowledge of concepts and theories in the field relevant for analysing these debates

Skills

• Be able to present and explain fundamental theories and concepts relevant in the study of journalism, colonialism and post-colonialism
• Be able to identify and critically analyse current and new conflicts and controversies in journalism and media studies

General competencies

• Be able to communicate research to the general public and specialists
• Be able to identify and analyse controversial issues

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

The course is available to students admitted to Media and Communication Studies (master) and Politisk kommunikasjon (master). Students enrolled in other Master's Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

The teaching consists of two two-day workshops. Everyone is also expected to develop individual projects and work independently between meetings.

Attendance is expected at all workshops: you are part of a learning community, and the point of the workshops is to learn from teachers and fellow students, be inspired, let your knowledge and opinions be challenged and get feedback on your work. Students are also required to participate actively in class discussions. Attendance, staying informed, and engagement with the teacher, fellow students, and the course material are expected for you to get the most out of the course and to be able to do your best in the final exam.

The course is offered at two levels jointly, in this case, both at Master's and Ph.D. levels. There will be both master's students and Ph.D. candidates at the workshops.

Mandatory activities:

• Your topic, research questions, and syllabus must be approved
• Attendance is mandatory (at least 75%)

Syllabus:

We will set up a proposal for a syllabus of 500 pages. These will be academic books or articles. Some non-academic texts or other types of material may be added to the syllabus. In consultation with the course teacher, students may choose parts of this syllabus.

The exam consists of a paper analysing a self-selected controversy. The student may work in groups (2-3) or individually.

Mandatory activities must be passed in order to take the exam.

The examination text is given in English. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.