6 ECTS credits
160 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4019912FNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (F) Master - specialised level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Ike Picone (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
6 contact hours Lecture
18 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
136 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

This course introduces students to key trends and technologies in the field of journalism through the lens of journalism and media theories. Students will get the opportunity to read and discuss relevant academic literature and apply insights from these texts to critically examine current evolutions and disruptions in journalism and media.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Texts and Powerpoint Slides, Canvas
Additional info

Teaching Methods

  • Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
  • Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
  • Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lecture: 6 hours (3 x 2 hours)

Practicals: 18 hours

  • class discussions and critical reflection: 9 x 2 hours

Self: 136 hours

  • individual preparation of class discussion by going through the supplied literature: 36 hours (9 x 4 hours)
  • collect extra information on the cases and prepare a critical reflection for class discussion: 36 hours (9 x 4 hours)
  • desk research in preparation of the white paper: 32 hours (4 days of 8 hours)
  • writing of the white paper based on the supplied literature and desk research: 32 hours (4 days of 8 hours)
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

After having followed the course, students

  • can position themselves as critical-reflective professionals in the field of media and journalism in Europe
  • are able to engage critically, intensively, interactively and collectively with a topic relating to journalism and media, in the context of current developments,
  • can apply scientific insights to the study of professional practices,
  • can bridge academic insights and societal needs of journalistic stakeholders
  • to integrate insights from literature and related sources to form a grounded argumentation as the basis for their reflection
  • can tackle specific current journalistic cases such as new formats, new value chains, new roles, etc. in an open and constructive way and in dialogue with their peers as well as academics, journalists, media workers and other relevant stakeholders
  • can translate theoretical insights and assessments into concrete scenario’s, policy advise and guidelines, strategic plans, and are able to communicate this

Grading

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

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

  • White Paper with a relative weight of 75 which comprises 75% of the final mark.
  • Weekly discussions with a relative weight of 25 which comprises 25% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The final grade is composed based on the following categories: 

  • Individual written assignment: White Paper (75% of the final mark). 

Students will have to write a White Paper, in which they will apply the course material, class discussions and case studies to elaborate on a specific trend or technology within journalism.

  • Individual weekly preparation of class discussions (25% of the final mark).

Students will have to submit individual weekly preparations of class discussion, in which the students prepare the next class discussion by writing and submitting a 2 pager according to a template provided. Students are scored on the timeliness and completeness of weekly submitting the preparations. Feedback is given during the class discussions. 

The final exam result consist of the sum of the weighted partial result, but only when the student was awarded a minimum of 37,5/75 for the White Paper. If this condition is not met, the partial result of the White Paper will count as the final exam result.

Failing to submit the White Paper will result in an absence for the whole course. Failing to participate in the weekly discussions will result in a score of 0/20 for this part of the exam. 

Second session

In second session the final grade is composed in the same way.

The weekly preparations cannot be retaken in second session. The result for this part of the exam will be transferred to second session. 

Partial results are not transferable to the next academic year. If the student does not pass for the whole course, all exam parts need to be retaken. Concretely, the student will need to hand in weekly preparation for the classes in the next academic year.

Generative AI

The use of generative AI is allowed for certain parts of the assignments. In both the White Paper and the Weekly Preparation, it is permissible to use generative AI only as 1) a brainstorm tool, 2) a paraphrasing tool, 3) a spelling and grammar writing aid. Any use of generative AI must be appropriately recognised. (See reference list AI)

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:
Master of Communication Studies: Media and Society (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe