Master of Arts in Media, Democracy and Human Rights

Credits: 120

The first year of the program consists of four courses of 15 credits each, running over the first two semesters. The first year aims to deepen students’ knowledge of current theory and research in the interface between media, democracy, and human rights. The focus lies on current challenges to democracy in terms of the media’s fluctuating role in people’s and societies’ lives, as well as on political and cultural currents of relevance for the extent to which human rights can be accommodated in a global perspective. The second year of the program starts with a 15-credit course in theory and method, followed by 15 credits worth of optional courses (which may include practice placements or studies abroad). Alternatively, the entire third semester may be studied abroad, as part of an exchange program, provided that it includes studies equivalent to the 15-credit course Philosophy of Science and Research Methods in Media and Communication Studies. The program ends with a degree project of 30 credits, in the fourth semester.

Programme courses

Year 1

Media, Regulation, and Human Rights, 15 credits (A1N)*

This course provides an introduction to the program, presenting central concepts and laying the foundation for subsequent courses. Points that combine an interest in media and democracy (which are central to media and communication studies) with human rights issues are interlinked with issues to do with the exercise of power and governance. The course provides an overview of the field, including topics such as media and the philosophical foundation for freedom of speech; media and ethics; regulation of the media; etc.

Political and Cultural Citizenship, 15 credits (A1N)*

In today’s mediatized political and cultural reality, matters of citizenship, belonging, and equality are increasingly closely connected to both political and cultural arenas. The idea of a “culture war” illustrates this, and emphasizes matters of identity, belonging, participation, rights, agency, and the individual's place and space in society. The course provides an increased understanding of culture as an arena for influence in relation to politics. The students deepen their understanding of problems and challenges associated with these issues, through a concrete project focusing on current cases.

Global Challenges in New Media and Management, 15 credits (A1N)*

In this course, the focus lies on challenges that are connected on a global level to current media trends, societal development, media technologies, and media platforms.

Topics such as regulation, monitoring, and government are brought up, illuminated, and discussed, based on current international developments in the field of media. The course also covers critical approaches to management and decision-making, including theory and practice in terms of cultural inclusion, digital participation culture, innovation, and knowledge on a global level.

Leading through Policy and project management, 15 credits (A1N)*

In this course, students deepen their understanding of leadership in a changing media reality by working with policies in relation to current challenges, in the form of a project. The course is based on authentic case studies that have been explored and theorized. It discusses global and national media policies in general, as well as specific policies, such as policies on media literacy, e-learning, and e-government. The part dealing with project management is based on research on, and case studies of, democracy projects, Agenda 2030 projects, and social responsibility projects. The significance of media for internal and external organization and communication is particularly emphasized.

Year 2

Philosophy of Science and Research Methods in Media and Communication Studies, 15 credits (A1N)*
This course discusses theoretical and methodological perspectives in depth, in terms of different traditions in media and communication studies, focusing on qualitative and quantitative methods and approaches. Examples of methods for data collection and analysis include qualitative and quantitative content analysis and interview studies. In addition to traditional methods in the humanities and social sciences, the course introduces different kinds of digital methods.

Optional courses, 15 credits

Here, the students can choose from a range of elective courses at the Department of Media and Journalism, or choose something else entirely, to broaden their perspectives.

The standard options include regular courses as well as the possibility of having a practice placement. Degree project, 30 credits (A2E)*

In this course, the student works exclusively with their master thesis, under supervision.

*=course in the main field of study

Societal relevance

Media – traditional as well as alternative and social media – play an increasingly major role in people’s lives, as regards culture as well as politics. Today, the media infrastructure serves as an arena for influence, propaganda, and disinformation, at the same time as it constitutes a platform for self-realization, orientation, exploration, and identity creation. In the interface between the consequences of these tendencies, issues, and challenges associated with media criticism and sustainability arise. As a consequence, the future needs policymakers, managers, and executives who are perceptive and capable of critical reflection, so that human rights are accommodated and not breached, and democratic principles are maintained, at the same time as our mediatized cultural environment is protected. Since this master's program aims to provide theoretical specialization as well as practical application in relation to these issues, it contributes in a constructive way to the creation and exploration of ways in which democratic principles and human rights can be used to overcome problems, in a present and future that is shaped by increased mediatization.

Internationalization

The program is firmly grounded in an internationalization approach in that it targets an international student group; aims to deepen knowledge of and practical approaches to global dilemmas associated with the media; and builds on internationally prominent and relevant theory and research. The third semester may be studied abroad, as part of an exchange program, provided that it includes a course equivalent to Philosophy of Science and Research Methods in Media and Communication Studies, 15 credits.

Sustainable societal development

The content of the program is closely linked to sustainable development from a media perspective. The main issues that the program seeks to teach students to be able to handle are all about the central question of how management and leadership in relation to the media may be implemented in a sustainable way, taking human rights and democratic principles into consideration.

The international degree awarded upon completion of the entire program is a Master of Arts (120 credits) in Media and Communications. The diploma and the degree certificate are issued in Swedish and English and are accompanied by a diploma supplement in English.

Objectives

Central qualitative targets quoted from the Higher Education Ordinance

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student shall

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• Demonstrate specialized methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student shall

• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyze, assess, and deal with complex phenomena, issues, and situations even with limited information
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously, and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• Demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• Demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgment and approach

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student shall

• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social, and ethical issues and also demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning

Programme-specific objectives

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student should be able to

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the democratic role of media in society, and of the role that media play in people's everyday life
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of, and strategic competence about, contemporary challenges in the interface between media, human rights, and democracy
• Use expert knowledge and professional skills and have demonstrated an ability to express these in a global media context
• Implement projects in fields and about cases that are relevant to the content of the program
• Demonstrate a well-developed ability to critically assess and approach contemporary media phenomena as well as their work.

Credits: 120

Objectives

Central qualitative targets quoted from the Higher Education Ordinance

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student shall

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialized knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
• Demonstrate specialized methodological knowledge in the main field of study.

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student shall

• Demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyze, assess, and deal with complex phenomena, issues, and situations even with limited information
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously, and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake advanced tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work
• Demonstrate the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
• Demonstrate the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.

Judgment and approach

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student shall

• Demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social, and ethical issues and also demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work
• Demonstrate insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
• Demonstrate the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning

Program-specific objectives

For a Degree of Master's (120 credits), the student should be able to

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and an in-depth understanding of the democratic role of media in society, and of the role that media play in people's everyday life
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of, and strategic competence about, contemporary challenges in the interface between media, human rights, and democracy
• Use expert knowledge and professional skills and have demonstrated an ability to express these in a global media context
• Implement projects in fields and about cases that are relevant to the content of the Program
• Demonstrate a well-developed ability to critically assess and approach contemporary media phenomena as well as their work.

After graduation, you have several options for your career. The program is a great preparation for PhD studies. You can also work with:

• Management and development services in the media industry
• Policies and analysis in national and international political and non-profit organizations, or companies and public authorities
• Journalism
• Media development and media strategies in the private and public sectors
• Information and communication
• Teaching at different levels.
• Research in academia

Societal relevance

Media, traditional as well as alternative and social media, play an increasingly major role in people’s lives, as regards culture as well as politics. Today, the media infrastructure serves as an arena for influence, propaganda, and disinformation, at the same time as it constitutes a platform for self-realisation, orientation, exploration, and identity creation. In the interface between the consequences of these tendencies, issues and challenges associated with media criticism and sustainability arise. As a consequence, the future needs policymakers, managers, and executives who are perceptive and capable of critical reflection, so that human rights are accommodated and not breached, and democratic principles are maintained, at the same time as our mediatised cultural environment is protected. Since this master's program aims to provide theoretical specialisation as well as practical application about these issues, it contributes constructively to the creation and exploration of ways in which democratic principles and human rights can be used to overcome problems, in a present and future that is shaped by increased mediatisation.

Internationalisation

The programme is firmly grounded in an internationalisation approach in that it targets an international student group; aims to deepen knowledge of and practical approaches to global dilemmas associated with the media, and builds on internationally prominent and relevant theory and research. The third semester may be studied abroad, as part of an exchange programme, provided that it includes a course equivalent to Philosophy of Science and Research Methods in Media and Communication Studies, 15 credits.

Sustainable societal development

The content of the programme is closely linked to sustainable development from a media perspective. The main issues that the programme seeks to teach students to be able to handle are all about the central question of how management and leadership about the media may be implemented sustainably, taking human rights and democratic principles into consideration.