MEDIA AND INFORMATION KNOWLEDGE – PROGRAMME SUBJECT IN PROGRAMMES FOR SPECIALIZATION IN GENERAL STUDIES (MIN1-01)

Laid down as a regulation by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training on 5 April 2006 as delegated in a letter of 26 September 2005 from the Ministry of Education and Research pursuant to the Act of 17 July 1998 no. 61 relating to primary and secondary education (Education Act) Section 3-4 first paragraph.

Gjelder fra: 2006-08-01T00:00:00 +2

Gjelder til: 2016-07-31T00:00:00 +2

Purpose

The programme subject Media and information knowledge builds on a humanistic and social science tradition. A historical perspective is fundamental when studying the relationship between medium and society. This is important, not least for understanding the role of the media as a precondition for freedom of expression – and thus democracy. Power and influence are closely linked to the media, nationally and internationally. That is why it is important to study the media analytically and critically.

This programme subject shall help individuals to express their own opinions and participate actively in the democratic process. The media plays a major role in cultural identity for individuals and groups alike, and the programme subject can help create an awareness of the relationship between medium and identity. In many occupations, it is vital to have knowledge of and insight into the role that the media plays in society. The programme subject shall help promote self-awareness and cultural refinement, and in so doing it can serve as a good basis for vocational life and studies at college or university.

In this programme subject it is important to find, receive, handle, integrate and evaluate information as a basis for further work with personal forms of expression in the mediums of text, sound and images and in combinations thereof. Therefore, the training shall pave the way for a discussion of ethical questions, for the development of a sense for the aesthetic, and for gaining experience and creative development. To link these disparate aspects of the programme subject, there shall be an emphasis on media production and journalistic method. As a point of departure, the teaching should address the individual as an active, interested user of the media and focus on developing abilities and talents individually and in collaboration with others.

Structure

Media and information knowledge comprises two programme subjects: Media and information knowledge 1 and Media and information knowledge 2. Media and information knowledge 2 builds on Media and information knowledge 1.

These programme subjects have been structured into main subject areas for which competence aims have been formulated. The main subject areas complement each other, and should be viewed in relation to one another.

Overview of the main subject areas:

Programme subject	Main subject area
Media and information knowledge 1	Media development	Forms of expression	Medium, individual and society
Media and information knowledge 2	Media development	Forms of expression	Medium, individual and society

Main subject areas

Media development

Media and information knowledge 1

The main subject area Media development covers the history of Norwegian media and the functions of the media from a historical, political, economic, cultural and ethical perspective. Freedom of expression and the role of the press in the growth of democracy are key aspects of the main subject area. The main features of Norwegian media politics are also included in the main subject area.

Media and information knowledge 2

The main subject area Media development deals with the international history of the media. Key aspects include international media structures and the strong global concentration of ownership. The main subject area also covers the North-South issue and the media structure in developing countries.

Forms of expression

Media and information knowledge 1

The main subject area Forms of expression deals with traditional and digital media. Journalistic work methods and the ethical guidelines that apply to the media play a central role. The shaping of various media products is also covered by the main subject area. Also included are typical features of information and entertainment, journalism, advertising and propaganda. The main subject area also covers search strategies and source analysis.

Media and information knowledge 2

The main subject area Forms of expression covers a variety of media texts as a point of departure for analysis, experience and assessment. It deals with the shaping of a variety of media products, the use of dramaturgical tools, and the assessment of one’s own media product and that of others. The main subject area also covers the role of the media in promoting art and culture.

Medium, individual and society

Media and information knowledge 1

The main subject area Medium, individual and society is concerned with forms of communication and communication models. Thus it deals with how new technology and digitalization alter traditional patterns of communication and lead to convergence. The main subject area also deals with different impact models and how different media can affect the way in which people perceive themselves and the world around them. In addition, the main subject area covers ethnic and multicultural challenges, equal opportunity, gender and class.

Media and information knowledge 2

The main subject area Medium, individual and society deals with impact strategies for different media products and with how the media are able to influence attitudes, norms and values. Also covered are the rules and regulations that govern copyright, privacy protection and freedom of expression. Media ideologies and the development of information gaps in society – nationally and internationally – are included in the main subject area.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours are given in 60-minute units.

Media and information knowledge 1: 140 teaching hours per year

Media and information knowledge 2: 140 teaching hours per year

Basic skills

Basic skills are integrated into the competence aims for this course in areas where they contribute to the development of and are part of the subject competence. In the Media and information knowledge programme subject, basic skills are understood as follows:

Being able to express oneself orally in Media and information knowledge involves the oral presentation of one’s own work in which the exchange of views, reflections and assessments play a central role. Oral precision is all-important when working with media productions.

Being able to express oneself in writing in Media and information knowledge involves imparting information and opinions through a variety of communicative expressions, such as text, sound and images, on different levels. It involves narration, description, analysis, reflection and assessment.

Being able to read in Media and information knowledge involves being able to understand and interpret a variety of media texts. It also involves the ability to read instruction guidelines, surveys, models and theories.

Numeracy in Media and information knowledge involves making use of different types of statistics as a starting point for analysis and argumentation. It also includes calculating time sheets and expenses in connection with one’s own media productions.

Being able to use digital tools in Media and information knowledge involves finding, receiving, handling, integrating and evaluating information as a basis for further work with different forms of expression in one’s own productions. It also involves dealing with legal, cultural and ethical challenges related to Internet use.