6 ECTS credits
180 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1017038ANR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Laurence Claeys (course titular)
Activities and contact hours

36 contact hours Lecture
132 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

This course introduces students to  key technologies that allow bridging of time and place of communication. By exploring different theoretical perspectives and historical milestones in the development of communication technologies  this course aims to contribute to a better understanding of the technological aspects of communication technologies (at the level of artifacts, broadcasting system, delivery system, software, ...). In addition to obtaining technological insights, this course also pays attention to the social, historical and economic aspects of communication technologies.

An integral part of the lesson is a short exercise on an actual case.

Course material
Digital course material (Required) : Slides, Canvas
Course text (Required) : Inleiding tot de Communicatietechnologieën, Claeys, VUB, 2220170004891, 2018
Additional info

The lectures are supported by PowerPoint slides which both structure and add to the content of the lessons and contain illustrations and examples. The slides arel made ​​available via Canvas. Students are also encouraged to take notes during class in addition to the slides and of the discussion of the weekly case. A reader with required readings (containing Dutch and English articles) are also part of the curriculum.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

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

  • 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 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 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 reflect upon their own position as scientists, construe assumptions and identify and explicitate critically their presuppositions.
  • 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.

 

 

Course specific outcomes

At the end of this study course students should :

  • be able to name and distinguish the different theoretical views on the evolution of information technologies and innovations;
  • be able to name and explain the basic concepts of communication technologies (signals, formats , applications, ... );
  • be able to name the history and current developments of the technical, social, economic and historical aspects of the production and use of communication technologies ( from the telegraph to the cloud);
  • be able to independently acquire knowledge and critical reflection on the technical, social, economic and historical aspects of the production and use of communications technologies.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Written Exam determines 70% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 30% 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 70% of the final mark.

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

  • Portfolio with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 30% of the final mark.

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

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Communication Studies: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Psychology: Afstudeerrichting arbeids- en organisatiepsychologie (only offered in Dutch)