Digital Media Use

6 ECTS credits
163 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1001345BER for all students in the 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester

2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Possible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Enrollment Requirements

Studenten die dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen, moeten geslaagd zijn voor minstens 30 ECTS-credits op bachelorniveau. Studenten communicatiewetenschappen moeten ook geslaagd zijn voor 'Communicatiewetenschappen I'. Studenten in een schakelprogramma, voorbereidingsprogramma of master kunnen dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen.

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool

Department

Communication Sciences

Educational team

Jos Pierson (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

20 contact hours Lecture
15 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
128 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

The overall goal of the course is to get an insight in the societal meaning of digital technologies and the interplay between digital media (social media, messaging apps, smartphone, tablets, digital broadcasting…) and society.
To do this we start from the perspective of the user of digital media. How are digital media used in and have an influence on the everyday life and work? Why are some media technologies and services successful and others are not?
We discuss how the user perspective relates to:

Theoretical perspective: What are digital media? What kind of evolution do we see in the information society? What is the platform society and how has this notion been framed theoretically?
Artefacts: How can we investigate internet-based media as technological objects? In which way have social media evolved? How can we assess the impact of digital media on society in the best way?
Practices: In what way has sociality via digital media changed? What do social media signify for identity construction and reputation of youngsters? What are the cultural and sociological aspects of cooperation and participation via digital media?
Socio-economic arrangements: What is the role of digital media for social movements and journalism? To what extent are digital media a risk for privacy and surveillance? How is labour changing due to the diffusion of digital media and artificial intelligence?

Course material

Handbook (Required) : Introduction to Digital Media, Delfanti, Alessandro & Arvidsson, Adam, 1st, Wiley-Blackwell, 9781119276210, 2019
Digital course material (Recommended) : Digitaal mediagebruik, bijkomend studiemateriaal, via leerplatform

Additional info

A basic understanding of central theories in communication studies, sociology, philosophy and/or technology studies is an advantage, but not a requirement. Neither do students need to be technologically knowledgeable, because the course is mainly based on social-scientific concepts.
With regard to the teaching method consists of different educational tools (handbook, slides, audiovisual material, recent articles,…). The subject material will interactively be discussed with the students, for example in the form of group discussions or peer teaching. The courses will have as much as possible a link with current affairs, for example by inviting guest speakers, by collecting information on the overall topic of the year and/or by carrying out the yearly assignment. The learning platform will be used for communication and exchange of information (e.g. slides) with the students.

Learning Outcomes

General Competencies

This course contributes to the following general learning outcomes of the bachelor program communication studies:

students have specific knowledge and understanding of the diverse paradigms, main theoretical currents, concepts and research traditions within communication scientific approaches to media, internet and globalisation,
students show insight in the position and mutual relations of the diverse paradigms, main theoretical currents, concepts and research traditions within the discipline and in relation to other theories, methods, concepts and models in other disciplines (interdisciplinarity),
students demonstrate insight in the underlying human and worldview and (the historical development of) assumptions of the diverse paradigms, main theoretical currents, concepts and research traditions in general and their approach to the relation between media, communication and society in particular,
students have knowledge and understanding of historical and recent developments in media and communication,
students have knowledge and understanding of the structures, operation and processes of media and communication organisations, media and communication practices, and media and communication markets and their relations with media, internet and globalisation,
students have knowledge and understanding of the national, European and international policy context in which these media and communication organisations, structures and processes develop,
students can detect and analyse trends and issues within a media landscape and estimate their societal, professional and policy implications on the basis of a theoretical framework of reference and analysis linked to communication scientific approaches to media, internet and globalisation,
students can critically and self-critically, with a long term perspective, from an interdisciplinary angle, and cautious of monocausal interpretations, gauge the impact of social, cultural, economic, ethical, technological, political, legal and other factors to communication processes,
students develop an attitude of willingness to listen and respect to one another in order to engage in debates on the basis of scientifically and empirically grounded arguments.

Specific learning outcomes:

This course essentially aims at scientifically framing the interplay between digital media and the society. That complexity is visible at the level of the technological systems, the user practices as well as the broader societal developments. Digital media have a far-reaching influence on social, cultural, political and economic levels of society. Because these digital applications and technologies will increasingly be part of our individual lives, a broad media and communication studies reflection is required. These questions concern everybody, not only the technology and computer sector. Therefore the course is certainly not only aimed at student with a special interest for digital media and internet. On the contrary, the objective is to contribute to a profound theoretical view on digital developments in all parts of society.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Oral Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Note: The general assessment is based on the knowledge of the course material, in combination with the understanding of and the ability to apply the acquired knowledge. For this the evaluation will be subdivided in three exam components: (1) oral exam and (2) individual and group assignments during the semester. The exam component (2) cannot be taken up again in the second examination period. The result of this exam component will be transferred to the second examination period.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Not applicable.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context