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 in de bachelor communicatiewetenschappen moeten 'Kwantitatieve methoden' en 'Kwalitatieve methoden' gevolgd hebben, alvorens dit opleidingsonderdeel op te nemen. 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
18 contact hours Lecture
21 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
107 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, I. Mariën, Canvas & Perskring
Additional info

The focus of the course is twofolded. Firstly, theoretical and methodological aspects of policy analysis research are explained and presented. Secondly, several methods are applied in practice by way of the development of a professional file on a policy analysis of a chosen use case. Slides will be made available on Canvas. Additional background information will also be published on Canvas. 

The assignment description for the group work (cf. professional file) will be made available on Canvas and will reflect the different details of the assignment. The specifics for evaluation (professional file and written exam) as well as details for second session will be integrated in this assignment description and also made available 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 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 apply, under supervision and on a general and junior level, knowledge and insights regarding diverse research methods of Communication sciences.

 

 

Grading

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

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

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.
  • Group Assignment with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The evaluation is twofolded.

The students are evaluated in group based upon a professional file that is accomplished in group. Students can register for the group assignment ultimately 4 weeks after the start of the first lecture. After this moment, students are no longer allowed to register for the group assignment. They are still permitted to participate in the written exam and to execute the group assignment according to the specifications of second session made available in the assignment description on Canvas. 

Students are evaluated individually via a written exam.

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)