Research Experience and Methods: Media Coverage of the Climate Crisis, Causes, and Solutions
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Spring
- Course code
- MEVI310-8
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
- Reading list
Course description
Objectives and Content
The aim of the MEVI310 courses is to provide experience with research connected to ongoing research projects. Students will take part in research seminars, theoretical discussions, methodological exercises, and dissemination tasks, thereby gaining in-depth insight into a selected topic within media studies, as well as skills in project work and analysis.
Each semester, the MEVI310 courses are linked to a specific research project at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies. The projects associated with the course may be large externally funded projects, but also smaller research projects of varying nature and character. The projects may be empirically or theoretically orientated, and will address different media studies issues in areas such as media aesthetics, journalism, media use, communication, technology and culture, rhetoric, and strategic communication. The aim of the course is for students to acquire methodological and analytical approaches, theoretical knowledge, and dissemination experience through research-based teaching and project-oriented activities.
The course MEVI310-8 is linked to research at the department that examines how the media cover climate-related issues, including energy. Questions explored include, for example, which frames the media use to present climate issues, which actors appear in the media and with what arguments, whether political bias is present in the media coverage, and how coverage changes over time.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student will have achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:
Knowledge
The student...
- has knowledge of current research on a specific media studies issue.
- has in-depth knowledge of theories and methods relevant for understanding and analyzing this issue.
- has knowledge of working methods and challenges in project work.
Skills
The student...
- can apply methodological and analytical approaches used in current research.
General competence
The student...
- can work in a project group.
- can communicate research through presentations, posters, media contributions, or social media.
Required Previous Knowledge
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Teaching and learning methods
The course consists of lectures and group work/workshops.
The lectures provide insight into current research projects that the course coordinator is working on: How the media cover the climate crisis, with focus on different aspects of the coverage. The lectures will present and discuss theories, methods, and analytical approaches, and will also give an introduction to research work.
In the group work, students will carry out research projects in groups, based on relevant theory and empirical material. The work may involve developing relevant and new research questions, exploring theories, establishing relevant methods and analytical instruments, collecting material, and conducting analyses of either quantitative or qualitative nature. The group work will be carried out under supervision, and each group must give plenary presentations of their work, actively participate in plenary discussions, and provide feedback on the work of other groups.
The group work is a compulsory activity. Participation, the written result, and the presentation(s) must be approved in order to sit the exam.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Participation in the teaching activities (80%), written assignment(s), and presentation(s) must be approved in order to take the exam.
One written assignment shall summarize the syllabus literature and be submitted before the course begins.
Forms of Assessment
Final assignment in the form of a written research report of 3000-3500 words. The exam can be written individually or in groups.
The exam answer must be submitted in English or Scandinavian.