De elektronische studiegids voor het academiejaar 2025 - 2026 is onder voorbehoud.





Political economy of media and technology (4966)

  
Coordinating lecturer :dr. Ana POP STEFANIJA 
  
Member of the teaching team :De heer Niels BIBERT 


Language of instruction : English


Credits: 6,0
  
Period: semester 1 (6sp)
  
2nd Chance Exam1: Yes
  
Final grade2: Numerical
 
Exam contract: not possible


 
Sequentiality
 
   No sequentiality
   Mandatory sequentiality bound on the level of programme components
 
 

Prerequisites

Prior knowledge of main theoretical schools, basic concepts, research traditions and historical developments within Media & Communication Studies, especially those related to (critical) political economy, is advisable.



Content

This course provides an overview of (critical) political economy of media and communication, with a focus on evolution towards digital platforms and technology. Particular attention is paid to the critical analysis of digitalisation of (classic) media, digital media, data-driven technologies, digital marketing industries, and socio-economic power relations.



Organisational and teaching methods
Organisational methods  
Case session  
Lecture  
Teaching methods  
Case study  
Discussion/debate  
Exercises  
Group work  
Homework  
Paper  
Porfolio  
Presentation  


Evaluation

Semester 1 (6,00sp)

Evaluation method
Written evaluaton during teaching periode20 %
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Conditions transfer of partial marks within the academic yearIf the student do not have points to pass the paper evaluation, they make improvements and resubmit it for the exam retake
Paper
Other evaluation method during teaching period10 %
Other Evaluation based on the outputs from the case sessions
Transfer of partial marks within the academic year
Oral exam70 %
Open questions
Evaluation conditions (participation and/or pass)
Conditions A student must obtain at least a 10/20 on each partial evaluation to pass the course unit. By partial evaluations we mean 1) the set of evaluations during the education period and 2) the evaluation during the examination period. Any results on attendance or preparation count as part of the evaluations during the education period.
Consequences A student who achieves a grade lower than 10/20 on one (or both) partial assessment(s) will receive the arithmetic average grade, with a maximum of 9/20 for the course.

Second examination period

Evaluation second examination opportunity different from first examination opprt
No
 

Compulsory course material
 

Het studiemateriaal zal via het leerplatform beschikbaar worden gesteld:
* Reader met wetenschappelijke literatuur
* Hand-out van de powerpointpresentaties van de lessen
* Bijkomende materialen (zoals links naar video’s, websites en andere documentatie omtrent (kritische) politieke economie).

 

Recommended reading
  Critical Political Economy of the Media: An Introduction,Hardy, Jonathan,Routledge,9780415544849,266 p.


Learning outcomes
Bachelor of Social Sciences
  •  EC 
  • The bachelor of social sciences graduate has an understanding of and takes into account the multifaceted influencing factors and the stakeholders, as well as societal relevance, sustainability and impact when realising an assignment.


     
  •  DC 
  • Students understand how their own political-economic examination of media and technology concretely relates 'on the ground' to multifaceted influencing factors and stakeholders.
  •  EC 
  • The bachelor of social sciences graduate has knowledge of societal structures, processes, issues and technologies shaping the role and functioning of public and private organisations, policy networks, the media and social movements.

     
  •  DC 
  • The student can critically analyse how political-economic power relations are related to the development, position and impact of (digital) media and technology in society.
     
  •  DC 
  • The student understands how digital marketing industries and business models shape the role and functioning of media and communication systems.
     
  •  DC 
  • Students can identify the consequences of political-economic power relations in media, data and technology for citizens, democracy and society.
  •  EC 
  • The bachelor of social sciences graduate has insight into the mutual relationship between the main theoretical strands, basic concepts, research traditions and historical developments within and between the disciplines of sociology, public administration and media & communication studies, as well as in relation to other disciplines in the social sciences and beyond (interdisciplinarity).

     
  •  DC 
  • The student understands how theoretical insights on (critical) political economy can be applied to media and technology.
     
  •  DC 
  • The student can relate theoretical strands, basic concepts, research traditions and historical developments in media and communication studies concerning (digital) media and technology, to (critical) political economy.
     
  •  DC 
  • Students understand the economic characteristics of systems, products and services in the media, communications and information sector.
  •  EC 
  • The bachelor of social sciences graduate can think and act in a problem-solving, self-directed and innovative way, based on critical reflection about the own learning process.

     
  •  DC 
  • The student is able to analyse developments regarding media, communication, data and/or technology independently and step-by-step from a (critical) political-economic perspective, as well as reflect on them.
 

  EC = learning outcomes      DC = partial outcomes      BC = evaluation criteria  
Offered inTolerance3
3 ba major Communicatiewetenschappen (digitalisering) met minor Bestuurskunde (democratie ) J
3 ba major Communicatiewetenschappen (digitalisering) met minor Sociologie (diversiteit) J
Exchange Programme Business Economics J
Exchange Programme Social Sciences J



1   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.12.2, section 2.
2   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.15.1, section 3.
3   Education, Examination and Legal Position Regulations art.16.9, section 2.