2022/2023
Communication, Development, and Social Change
Code: 42440
ECTS Credits: 6
Degree |
Type |
Year |
Semester |
4313227 Media, Communication and Culture |
OT |
0 |
2 |
Use of Languages
- Principal working language:
- catalan (cat)
Other comments on languages
The works and the evaluation tests can be done either in Catalan or in Spanish.
Prerequisites
- Basic knowledge of communication theories and sociology of culture.
- Basic skills for the design and execution of a research project.
- Those of the Master.
Objectives and Contextualisation
The basic objectives of the module are the following:
- Reflect on the relationship between communication, power and culture.
- Make a critical reflection on the relationship between communication, development, democracy and culture.
- Identify the main contributions to the study of communication for development and social change.
- Analyze the role of the media in the processes of social change.
- Analyze the role of new digital media in communication processes for social change.
- To know the main methodologies of communication for development and social change.
- Acquire skills to manage communication for social change in diverse contexts and environments.
- Design projects / communication plans for social change.
Competences
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
- Lead and work in interdisciplinary teams.
- Plan and lead basic and applied research projects in media communication and culture.
- Plan, direct and evaluate policies on culture and communication in both the local and the international fields using the new forms of social communication
- Plan, direct and evaluate public communication projects to meet the needs of institutions, businesses and social organisations.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
Learning Outcomes
- Continue the learning process, to a large extent autonomously.
- Design and direct comunication projects.
- Develop innovative proposals regarding communication policies for development.
- Develop research projects on communication for development and social change.
- Evaluate the results of communication projects of institutions, companies, associations, foundations and other entities.
- Generate ideas and innovative solutions regarding communication, development and social change.
- Lead and work in interdisciplinary teams.
- Recognize the scope and application of the current policies of communication for development.
- Use acquired knowledge as a basis for originality in the application of ideas, often in a research context.
Content
Brief description of the contents of the module:
- Culture, communication and power: a basic conceptual approach.
- Communication, culture and development: discussion and criticism.
- Communication, economic growth, democracy and social change in today's digital environment.
- Communicative strategies and participatory methodologies aimed at social change.
- Design of communication plans for social change.
- Communicative proposals for development and social change: case analysis.
The content of the module will be sensitive to cultural diversity and aspects related to the gender perspective.
Methodology
The pedagogical method is based on the group's joint work and the debate suggested by the teacher's explanations. To shape this approach, five work dynamics are defined:
1. Explanations by the professor on theoretical or generic aspects.
2. Debate based on readings of reference texts in the field of communication, development and social change.
3. Sharing of the course work of the students.
4. Group exhibitions by students.
5. Individual completion of a course project (communication project for social change) under the tutelage of the teacher
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Evaluation:
The students of the module will be evaluated based on the three main work dynamics of the module:
1. The realization of a specific communicative project for a development entity or agency, taking into account the main lines of communication for social change. Alternatively, a theoretical reflection or case analysis work (40%) can also be carried out.
2. Participation in the debates that will be held in the classes based on the readings proposed by the teacher. In the session following the debate, a critical evaluation of the debate should be presented in an extension of no more than 3000 characters (30%).
3. In the second part of the module will be presentations in groups of a maximum of four members. The composition of the groups and the topics to be presented will be agreed with the professor in the second session of the module. (20%)
Re-evaluation:
Both the realization of the project and the presentation of the theme may be reevaluated to consolidate the approved or to improve the grade. The participation in the debates and the presentation of critical assessments are not recoverable.
Assessment Activities
Title |
Weighting |
Hours |
ECTS |
Learning Outcomes |
Design of a communication project for social change or alternative work |
50% |
0
|
0 |
9, 4, 3, 2, 1, 7
|
Participation in debates on theoretical aspects and case analysis. |
30% |
0
|
0 |
5, 9, 6, 1, 8
|
Team presentation of a topic related to the module program. |
20% |
0
|
0 |
5, 9, 8, 7
|
Bibliography
Basic bibliography:
This bibliography will be discussed and expanded in the sessions of the module.
Software
The module does not require the knowledge of specialized software beyond the usual office automation packages.