Media and Society

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:6.00

Study Course Accepted:19.03.2024 15:37:46

Study Course Information
Course Code:		KF_058		LQF level:		Level 7
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Communication Sciences; Communication Theory		Target Audience:		Information and Communication Science
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Jānis Juzefovičs
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		4	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		8
Classes (count)		6	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		12
Total Contact Hours								20
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Knowledge of qualitative research methods in social sciences and ability to use them.
Objective:
Combining historical and current media audience research data and building on the case study of public media in Latvia, the study course aims to familiarise students with the most significant transformations in the relationship between media and society in Latvia from the second half of the 20th century to the present day, involve students in research work, develop students’ research and analytical skills, which enable them to look at the relationship between media and society in today’s Latvia from the long-term perspective.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	Soviet radio and TV audiences: radio, TV archives and historical audience research data			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	Radio, television and their audiences in the Awakening period: radio, TV archives and historical audience research data			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
3	Dynamics of radio and TV usage practices in the post-independence period: long-term audience measurement data			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
4	Relationship between media and society in today’s Latvia			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Methodological seminar on students’ research projects			Classes		4.00	auditorium
6	Presentations of students’ research projects			Classes		2.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Report on the experience of watching intergenerational films: The students’ task is to select two works from the programme of documentaries filmed by Rīgas kinostudija and Telefilma-Rīga prepared by the lecturer – one work from both parts of the programme, to watch and discuss together with one or more representatives from the personal social network – middle age (30-64 years) and/or older generation (65+). The film programme includes documentaries and newsreels, which tell about the history of radio and TV and the relationship between media and society in Latvia from 1970s to the beginning of 1990s. The final result of this task is a report summarising a brief summary of each work (1/3 of the report) and describing reflections of the student and representatives of other generations from his/her social network about what they saw (2/3 of the report). The report volume is 300-500 words. It is not necessary to use required, additional and other readings or sources of information for preparing the work. The work must be submitted in e-learning by 17 September 2023. The report is assessed as pass or fail. Film programme: Part 1 Documentary “Uzmanību Televīzija” directed by J.Zvirbulis (1964) Documentary “Un atkal Raimonds Pauls” directed by A.E.Feldmanis (1972) Documentary “Lienīte” directed by J.Dzenītis (1978) Documentary “Svētku vilnī” directed by V.Bunka (1979) Documentary “Pietura - VEF” directed by I.Brils (1979) Documentary “Slaucējs un slaucēja” directed by M.Jurjāne (1984) Documentary “Jaunā Rīga” directed by R.Pipars (1985) Part 2 Newsreel “Padomju Latvija” No.6 (1989) Documentary “Diena pirms neatkarības” directed by A.Apsītis (1990) Documentary “Dūmu deja debesīm” directed by J.Bindars (1991) Documentary “Janvāra rekviēms” (“Latvijas hronika” No 10/11) directed by A.Epners (1991) Documentary “Septiņas dienas augustā” directed by R.Pipars (1992) Essay on films: The students’ task is to select one of four kits created by the lecturer, which combine two documentaries / feature films, and to prepare a small essay. The essay should include a brief summary of each work (2/3 of the essay) and the author’s reasoned position on the relationship between media and society shown in the film (1/3 of the essay). The volume of the essay is 800-1000 words. It is not necessary to use required, additional and other readings or sources of information for preparing the work. The work must be submitted in e-learning by 29 October 2023. The essay is assessed as pass or fail. Kit 1 Documentary “Disco and atomic war” directed by J.Kilmi (2009) Feature film “Good Bye Lenin” directed by W.Becker (2003) Kit 2 Documentary “Mans mīļākais karš” directed by I.Burkovska-Jacobsen (2020) Documentary “Bekons, sviests un mana mamma” directed by I.Burkovska-Jacobsen (2008) Kit 3 Documentary “Radinieki” directed by V.Manskis (2016) Documentary “Viss būs labi” directed by S.Tokalovs (2023) Kit 4 Documentary “Nesaprastie” directed by I.Zviedris (2020) Documentary “Bahs pret Covid” directed by I.Zviedris (2022) Book review: The students’ task is to prepare a small review of the book: Juzefovičs, J. (2017). Broadcasting and National Imagination in Post-Communist Latvia: Defining the Nation, Defining Public Television. Bristol, Chicago: Intellect. The review should include a brief summary of the book (2/3 of the review) and review author’s analytical, critical assessment of content of the book (1/3 of the review). The volume of the review is 800-1000 words. It is not necessary to use required, additional and other readings or sources of information for preparing the work. The work must be submitted in e-learning by 10 December 2023. The review is assessed as pass or fail. Research project – Stage 1: Within the scope of the study course, students develop a research work based on the tradition of qualitative audience research (media ethnography), getting insight into media usage practices of Latvian residents and attitudes related to media work, journalism. The development of the research project is organised in two stages. In the first stage, students conduct a media diary study and semi-structured deep interviews with media users, combining them with elements of the observation method. The student performs fieldwork individually, but prepares for it in a group, including works on selecting study participants, as well as students perform data processing and presentation in a group. The task of this stage is to develop students’ skills to collect, process and present data. Its final result is a 20-minute presentation of the results obtained during fieldwork, which can be designed as a regular presentation or as an audiovisual work to be demonstrated during a class. It is not necessary to use required, additional and other readings or sources of information for preparing the work. The work must be submitted in e-learning by 14 December 2023. The work is assessed with a grade. Research project – Stage 2: Students work individually during the second stage of the research project. At this stage, students prepare a discussion on empirical results obtained in fieldwork, discussing – analysing, explaining, interpreting, contextualizing – them using references to required and additional readings of the course, and other sources. The discussion is 1300-1500 words (not including the list of readings and other sources). The task of this stage is to develop students’ skills to analyse data. The work must be submitted in e-learning by 14 January 2024. The work is assessed with a grade. To assess the overall quality of the study course, the student must complete the course evaluation questionnaire on the Student Portal.
Assessment Criteria:
Report on the experience of watching intergenerational films (pass/fail) as a prerequisite for successful passing of the study course. Essay on films (pass/fail) as a prerequisite for successful passing of the study course. Book review (pass/fail) as a prerequisite for successful passing of the study course. The final grade is formed by: Research project – Stage 1 – 40% Examination (written) – Research project – Stage 2 – 60% Report on the experience of watching intergenerational films: Pass, if the minimum requirements are met: - report on reflections of the student and representatives of other generations from his/her social network about what they saw – 2/3 of the report; - summary of the content of two works included in the film programme – 1/3 of the report; - the minimum requirements are met (volume of work, work submission deadline). Essay on films: Pass, if the minimum requirements are met: - summary of the content of two films – 2/3 of the essay; - author’s reasoned position on the relationship between media and society shown in each of these films – 1/3 of the essay; - formal requirements are met (volume of the work, submission deadline). Book review: Pass, if the minimum requirements are met: - summary of the content of the book – 2/3 of the review; - analytical, critical assessment of the content of the book – 1/3 of the review; - the formal requirements are met (volume of work, work submission deadline). Research project – Stage 1 (1 point = 1 grade point): 1-2 points – qualitative, high-value work in data presentation; 1-2 points – qualitative, high-value work in data processing; 1-2 points – qualitative, high-value work in data collection; Minimum requirements – no successful assessment if not met: 1 point – a 20-minute presentation has been developed, and presented and defended at the seminar at a satisfactory level; 2 point – data has been processed in accordance with the research design and methodological instructions at a satisfactory level; 1 point – fieldwork has been processed in accordance with the research design and methodological instructions at a satisfactory level; 1 point – formal requirements are met (volume of the work, submission deadline); 0 points – the work has not been submitted. Research project – Stage 2 (1 point = 1 grade point): 2 - 2 points – the analytical approach was used along with the description of results to interpret them, judgements are well reasoned, the student demonstrates deep understanding of the topic; 3 points – readings beyond the list of required and additional readings of the study course were used (at least 5 titles) and empirical material has been successfully integrated with literature studies; 1 points – additional readings of the study course were used (at least 3 titles) and empirical material has been successfully integrated with literature studies; 1 points – required readings of the study course were used (at least 3 titles) and empirical material has been successfully integrated with literature studies; Minimum requirements – no successful assessment if not met: 3 points – only a description of results has been provided, analytical approach was not used; no references to sources or they are formal; 1 point – formal requirements are met (volume of the work, submission deadline, design of references); 0 points – the work has not been submitted.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		Master students will understand transformations of the relationship between media and society in Latvia from the second half of the 20th century to the present day; will be able to find one’s way in the most important stages of development of the media environment of Latvia during this period of time. Students will be able to identify the most significant discoveries in historical and current media audience studies in Latvia. Students will also be able to describe the most important theoretical concepts explaining the relationship between media and society, the behaviour, attitudes and perceptions of media users, assigning meaning to media texts. Master students will also be able to demonstrate knowledge of qualitative audience research methods.
Skills:		Master students will be able to assess, explain the behaviour of media users in Latvia, their interpretations of media texts, public attitudes and perceptions related to media work, journalism. Students will be able to apply qualitative audience research methods (data collection, processing, analysis, presentation).
Competencies:		Students will be able to analyse problems in relations between media and society in Latvia.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Dimants, A. 2022. Latvijas prese 200 gados: no "Latviešu Avīzēm" līdz digitālo mediju laikmetam. Rīga: Latvijas Mediji. (latviešu plūsmai)
2	Jensen. K.B. ed. 2021. A Handbook of Media and Communication Research. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies. 3rd ed. London, New York: Routledge.
3	Juzefovičs, J. 2017. Broadcasting and National Imagination in Post-Communist Latvia: Defining the Nation, Defining Public Television. Bristol, Chicago: Intellect.
4	Juzefovičs, J. 2022. Making Sense of Public Media in Times of Geo-Political Crisis: Latvian Public Media and their Ethno-Linguistic Majority and Minority Audiences. In: Chakars, J., and Ekmanis I., eds. Information Wars in the Baltic States: Russia’s Long Shadow. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. 55-79.
5	Juzefovičs, J. 2023. Making sense of the COVID-19 crisis: information-seeking practices and attitudes towards information providers among Baltic audiences. Journal of Baltic Studies. DOI: 10.1080/01629778.2023.2290603.
6	Juzefovičs, J., and Vihalemm, T. 2020. Keeping channels open or screening out? The digital practices of Baltic Russian-speakers during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian Journal of Communication. 12(3), 262-283.
7	Schrøder, K., Drotner, K., Kline, S., and Murray, C. 2003. Researching Audiences. London: Arnold.
8	Vihalemm, T., and Juzefovičs, J. 2022. Navigating Conflicts through the Media: The Sceptical and Self- Responsible Repertoires of Baltic Russian-Speakers. East European Politics and Societies and Cultures. (36)2, 423-445.
Additional Reading
1	Brikše, I. 2002. Latvijas mediji: Izaicinājumi, ieguvumi un draudi (1987–2002). No: Jaunzems. A., red. Sociālekonomiskā procesa trajektorija Latvijā laikā no 1985. līdz 2002. gadam. Kur tā ved Latviju? Zinātnisks pētījums. Ventspils: Ventspils Augstskola. 294-306. (latviešu plūsmai)
2	Brikše, I. 2005. Publiskās sfēras demokratizācijas iespējas: Perestroikas un glasnostj aspekts Latvijā (1985-1990). No: Brikše, I., red. Latvijas Universitātes raksti. 683. sēj.: Komunikācija: Kultūras un vēstures diskurss. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 192.-209. (latviešu plūsmai)
3	Brikše, I. red. 2006. Informācijas vide Latvijā: 21.gadsimta sākums. Rīga: Zinātne. (latviešu plūsmai)
4	Brikše, I., and Zelče, V. 2008. The Latvian media in the new millennium: Trends in development, content and usage and the emergence of a community of media users. Information Sciences/Informacijos Mokslai. 47, 87-111.
5	Cheskin, A. 2016. Russian Speakers in Post-Soviet Latvia: Discursive Identity Strategies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
6	Dreifelds, J. 2013. Latvijas preses un citu plašsaziņas līdzekļu attīstība 19.-21. gadsimtā. No: Stradiņš, J., Jundzis, T., Zemītis, G., red. Latvieši un Latvija III: Atjaunotā Latvijas valsts. Rīga: Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija. 179-213. (latviešu plūsmai)
7	Evans, C.E. 2016. Between Truth and Time. A History of Soviet Central Television. New Haven & London: Yale University Press.
8	Felcis, R. 2023. Mediju informatīvās funkcijas krīzes situācijā: uzticēšanās medijiem krīzes apstākļos. Grām.: Zelče, V., Lasmane, S., Zitmane. M., red. Latvijas mediju ekoloģija 2020. gada pandēmijas krīzē. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 41-53. (latviešu plūsmai)
9	Høyer, S., Lauk, E. and Vihalemm, P. eds. 1993. Towards a Civic Society: The Baltic Media’s Long Road to Freedom. Tartu: Baltic Association for Media Research/Nota Baltica Ltd.
10	Imre, A. 2016. TV Socialism. Durham & London: Duke University Press.
11	Jõesaar, A., Rožukalne, A., and Jastramskis, D. 2022. Trust in public service media in the Baltic states. Journal of Baltic Studies. 53(4), 587-611.
12	Jõesaar, A., A. Rožukalne, and D. Jastramskis. 2022. The role of media in the Baltics. To trust or not to trust? Riga: Baltic Centre for Media Excellence.
13	Juzefovičs, J. 2007. Sociālo priekšstatu veidošanās: politisko ziņojumu lietojums un interpretācija pirms 9. Saeimas vēlēšanām. No: Lasmane, S., red. Politiskā komunikācija, ētika un kultūra Latvijas Republikas 9. Saeimas vēlēšanās. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds. 267-279. (latviešu plūsmai)
14	Juzefovičs, J. 2012. Ziņas sabiedriskajā televīzijā: paaudžu un etnisko (lingvistisko) grupu ziņu mediju izvēles Latvijā. Valmiera: Vidzemes augstskola. (latviešu plūsmai)
15	Kaprāns, M., and Juzefovičs, J. 2019. Reconsidering media-centrism: Latvia’s Russian-speaking audiences in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In: Wijermars, M., and Lehtisaari, K., eds. Freedom of Expression in Russia’s New Mediasphere. London: Routledge. 159-185.
16	Kruk, S. 2015. Television Changing Habits: TV Programming in 1960s Soviet Latvia. In: Anderson, S. and Chakars, M., eds. Modernization, Nation-Building, and Television History. New York: Routledge. 89-109.
17	Kruk, S., and Chakars, J. 2010. Agency, awakening, and the audiovisual: Developments in late-Soviet Latvian Broadcasting. Central European Journal of Communication. 3(1), 53-65.
18	Kruks, S., Dovladbekova, I., Berķe-Berga, A., Urbāne, M., Rungule, R., Lāce, T., Seņkāne, S., Kalniņa, D., Mārtinsone, K., Akmane, E., Šuriņa, S., Darģis, R. 2020. Pandēmijas sekas. Socioloģisko aptauju, sekundāro datu, mediju satura un dokumentu analīze. Rīga: RSU. (latviešu plūsmai)
19	Mihelj, S., and Huxtable, S. 2018. From Media Systems to Media Cultures: Understanding Socialist Television. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
20	Moores, S. 1993. Interpreting Audiences: The Ethnography of Media Consumption. London: Sage.
21	Peruško, Z., Vozab, D., and Čuvalo, A. 2013. Audiences as a Source of Agency in Media Systems: Post-socialist Europe in Comparative Perspective. Mediální Studia. 7(2), 137-154.
22	Roth-Ey, K. 2011. Moscow Prime Time: How the Soviet Union Built the Media Empire that Lost the Cultural Cold War. Ithaca & London: Cornell University Press.
23	Rožukalne, A. 2011. Kas? Kur? Kāda? Mūsdienu mediju auditorija. Monogrāfija par žurnāliem, žurnālu redaktoriem un žurnālu lasītājiem Latvijā. Rīga: Turība. (latviešu plūsmai)
24	Rožukalne, A., Skulte, I. 2016. Latvijas mediju auditorija recesijas laikā. No: Kruks, S., red. Ekonomiskā krīze Latvijā: “veiksmes stāsta” pēcgarša. Rīga: Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte. 175-192. (latviešu plūsmai)
25	Rožukalne, A., Savicka, V., Kleinberga, V., Tīfentāle, u.c. 2020. Novērtējums un ieteikumi par sabiedrības uzticēšanos informācijas kanāliem, medijpratību un dezinformācijas uztveri, iesaisti COVID-19 seku mazināšanā un uzvedības modeli. Rīga: RSU, Valmiera: Vidzemes Augstskola, Rēzekne: Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija. (latviešu plūsmai)
26	Rožukalne, A., Kleinberga, V., Tīfentāle, A., and Strode, I. 2022. What Is the Flag We Rally Around? Trust in Information Sources at the Outset of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Latvia. Social Sciences. 11(3), 123.
27	Ruddock, A. 2001. Understanding Audiences: Theory and Method. London: Sage.
28	Saulītis, A. 2016. Komunikatīvā atmiņa, vēsturiskā iztēle: raidījuma “Labvakar, Latvija!” vēstules un atmoda. No: Kaprāns, M., Strenga, G., Bekmans-Dīrkess, N., red. Atmiņu kopienas: atceres un aizmiršanas kultūra Latvijā. Rīga: Zelta grauds. 173-198. (latviešu plūsmai)
29	Vihalemm, P. ed. 2002. Baltic Media in Transition. Tartu: Tartu University Press.
30	Vihalemm, T., Juzefovičs, J., and Leppik M. 2019. Identity and Media- use Strategies of the Estonian and Latvian Russian-speaking Populations Amid Political Crisis. Europe-Asia Studies. 71(1), 48-70.
31	Vihalemm, T., and Juzefovičs, J. 2023. ‘They say we are all zombies’: Rethinking the role of audiences in a mediatized international conflict. Global Media and Communication. (19)1, 3–28.