6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1009362BNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
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 'Kwantitatieve methoden' en 'Kwalitatieve methoden' en geslaagd zijn voor minstens 60 ECTS-credits op bachelorniveau. Studenten in het schakelprogramma of voorbereidingsprogramma communicatiewetenschappen en de master criminologische wetenschappen kunnen dit opleidingsonderdeel opnemen.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Ilse Marien (course titular)
Axelle Asmar
Activities and contact hours

24 contact hours Lecture
26 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
100 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

This course examines the following questions:

  • What is ( media and communications ) policy?
  • What is ( media and communications ) policy analysis?
  • How do you analyze ( media and communications ) policy?

The emphasis is on answering the last question. The students are introduced to the various questions and phases in policy research and analytical methods will be different in terms of problem structuring , predicting policy, monitor, evaluate and recommend. Methods that will be discussed include the following: expert interviews, document analysis, argument analysis, brainstorming, Advocacy Coalition Framework analysis, SWOT, and scenario studies. The purpose of this course is to make students familiar with the field of media and communication policy research and also to make them apply some relevant methods. At the end of the course, students should know the different stages and important questions of policy analytical research, and they can apply policy analysis methods to specific cases. Students must be familiar with the main methods of media and communication policy research. This means that they need to know what the various important methods are, what their characteristics are, for what type of research they can be used, and what the advantages and disadvantages are of each method. Students should be able to apply methods to a topical media policy issue and present and defend the results of their work to an audience of policy experts.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Slides Beleidsanalyse, K. Donders, Canvas & Perskring
Additional info

This course consists of two main parts. First, we discuss the theoretical and methodological aspects of policy analytical research. Afterwards, we immediately apply the acquired methods in a practical case. In that way, HOC and working lectures seamlessly blend into one another.

We will be using slides that can be found on Canvas. This medium will also be used to communicate about the assignments for each class and seminar. Attendance at seminars and presentations is mandatory.

Specific information about the evaluation and sanctions for this course (regarding late submissions and unauthorized absences) can be found in the task assignment on Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

This course contributes to the following general learning results of the bachelor in communication sciences:

  • Students have knowledge and insight regarding applicable research methods in the discipline.
  • 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 are able to detect trends and issues within a media landscape, analyse these on the basis of a theoretical framework of reference and analysis, and estimate their societal, professional and policy implications.
  • Students demonstrate insight in the diversity of sources and search techniques.
  • Students show a critical attitude with regard to sources and literature. 
  • Students can develop their own scientifically grounded judgement and act in the spirit of free inquiry – i.e. with an open, critical-constructive and a-dogmatic attitude. Students do not seek ‘ultimate truths’, yet respond to scientific debate and the relative uncertainty of insights from an open position.
  •  Students reflect upon their own position as scientists, construe assumptions and identify and explicitate critically their presuppositions.
  •  Students demonstrate an honest attitude, ethical stance and engaged position, permitting a relevant contribution to current scientific and societal debates.
  •  Students are able to communicate information, insights and their research findings to diverse audiences in writing, orally and by using multimedia.
  •  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.
  •  Students can – with guidance – learn and act independently, creatively, critically and entrepreneurially.
  •  Students demonstrate an interested, studious and inquisitive attitude and have an open attitude to life long and independent learning.
  •  Students apply, under supervision and on a general and junior level, knowledge and insights regarding diverse research methods of Communication sciences.
  •  Students are competent to set up and accomplish communication scientific research, inspired by, in the framework of, or analogous to existing studies.

 

 

Grading

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

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

  • Policy File & Presentation with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Students are evaluated on the basis of a professional policy file (evaluation for each group); students are evaluated on the basis of their presentation and/or the answering of questions after the presentation (individual evaluation).

Additional info regarding evaluation

Students are evaluated on the basis of a group work, that is also to be presented in front of their fellow students and a panel of experts from the policy and corporate field.

Students receive regular feedback on their assignment; a class on presentation techniques is foreseen as well.

Students receive feedback during class with regard to exercises they prepared at home or that they made in class.

There is no written or oral exam for this course.

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

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Criminology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)