Media, Society and Sustainable DevelopmentLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

The student understands the role of media and journalism in influencing society. They are familiar with theories on the relationship between media and society. They know the functioning and importance of media institutions. They know the social dimensions of their own professional activities. They know the role of the media in promoting the objectives of sustainable development.

After completing the U!reka part the student
• is aware of the planetary ecological boundaries, climate change and biodiversity loss.
• understands the three dimensions of sustainable development as a systemic whole and can argue the interdependencies between them.
• is aware of the European regulations related to digital and green transition.
• is able to identify the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and how the goals are promoted within U!REKA cities.
• is aware of the sustainability focus within U!REKA European University Alliance.

Content

- theories on media-society relations
- the political, economic and cultural roles of the media in society
- media institutions and audiences
- the role of the media in promoting sustainable development

U!reka contents:
1. Awareness of the values and mindset behind the sustainability shift
2. Sustainability: systemicity and the ecological planetary boundaries
3. Ecological, social and economic sustainability
4. EU regulations related to digital and green transition
5. Sustainable development in European cities, case studies

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student participates satisfactorily in class. The student is able to identify some features of the role of media and journalism in society. The student knows some concepts related to the relationship between media and society. The student is familiar with some aspects of the functioning of media institutions. They are familiar with some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to the media sector. They will be able to identify some of the social dimensions of their professional activities.

The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student participates well in class. They have a good understanding of concepts and theories related to the relationship between media and society. They have a good understanding of the functioning of media institutions and journalism and their relationship with other actors in society. They know the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are able to assess their relevance to the media sector. They have a good understanding of the social dimensions of their professional activities and their relationship with the SDGs.

The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has a high level of participation in the classroom. They have an excellent command of concepts and theories related to the relationship between media and society. They will have a good understanding of the structure, functioning, economics and relationship of the media institutions and journalism, and their relationship to other actors in the society. They have an excellent knowledge of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and can assess their relevance to the media sector in a comprehensive manner. They have an excellent ability to assess the social dimensions of their own professional activities and their relationship with the SDGs.

The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student participates satisfactorily in class. The student is able to identify some features of the role of media and journalism in society. The student knows some concepts related to the relationship between media and society. The student is familiar with some aspects of the functioning of media institutions. They are familiar with some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relevant to the media sector. They will be able to identify some of the social dimensions of their professional activities.

The student understands what planetary boundaries mean and how the UN’s 17 SDGs are connected. The student is aware of the European regulations and standards related to the digital and green transition. The student has become familiar with the green transition measures of at least one European city.