6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4021524FNR 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
Laurence Claeys (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

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

Students will (1) gain advanced knowledge of social science research methods that are used to research new types of data (e.g. hyperlinks, social media networks, algorithmes, …), (2) learn to use these new types of data to answer existing research questions and (3) learn to formulate new research questions (e.g. on social surveillance, algorithmic trading, … ), that arise as a consequence of the digitalization and interconnectedness of data. Students will learn the basics of data science, but also critically reflect upon the methodological implications of these changes for the social sciences methodology. Regarding the innovation process of ICTs, students will learn about the management of software development cycles and the interdisciplinary playground when designing, implementing and evaluation of new ICTs.

 

Additional info

There is a two hour session each week during 13 weeks. Echt session will consist out of a lecture, followed by student discussion and discussion of a scientific paper on digital methods or innovation methods.

 

Learning Outcomes

General competences

After taking the classes students should be able to:

  • Recognize and understand the new data types that arise as a consequence of the Internet and related technologies;
  • Select, apply on a basic level, and understand a range of digital/data science methods and tools that can be applied to a wide array of social science research issues.
  • Understand the practices of the software development methodology in the ICT innovation process as well as the role of the different disciplines within this practices.

Critically engage with the ethical, legal and social issues related to digital social research and more generally, the use of social research methods to study ICTs and their social implications.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 50% of the final mark.

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

  • Written Exam with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

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

  • Written Task with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Communication Studies: New Media and Society in Europe
Master of Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe