MEVIT4617 – Social Media and Election Campaigns
Course content
Social media as a new tool for political communication influences the current development in political campaigning. In combination with mainstream media, social media is increasingly used for purposes such as political marketing, mobilization of voters, and public debate.
The course focuses on the role of social media in election campaigns across different countries. The students will analyze and compare real-time and ongoing election campaigns.
The course examines how social media impacts on the agenda-setting in election campaigns, and will discuss the empirical analysis in light of historical developments in political communication and the media’s agenda-setting function.
Learning outcome
The course will introduce students to different approaches to the study of social media and political communication.
The course work is aimed to develop the students’ research skills including empirical data-collection, systematic analysis, and critical argumentation.
This will enable them to:
- Analyze the use of social media in an election campaign, and explain how social media influences contemporary politics
- Critically discuss the key theoretical approaches to political communication and agenda-setting, and how social media relates to these approaches
- Employ the theoretical framework and empirical insights to analyze similarities and differences between social media campaigning in various political-economic contexts and media systems
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor's degree in Media Studies or equivelant
Teaching
Teaching starts early in the semester with weekly 4 hour sessions.
Examination
The examination for the course is a term paper. The term paper may consist of up to 10 pages (each page is calculated to approximately 2300 characters without spaces). The front page, bibliography/reference list and any appendices are not included in the 10 page limit.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.