| Statuss(Aktīvs) | Izdruka | Arhīvs(0) | Studiju plāns Vecais plāns | Kursu katalogs | Vēsture |
| Course title | Digital Media in Modern Society |
| Course code | SociM012 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 5 |
| Total Hours in Course | 135 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 20 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 20 |
| Number of hours for laboratory classes | 0 |
| Independent study hours | 95 |
| Date of course confirmation | 12/03/2025 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Social Sciences and Humanities |
| Course developers | |
| Dr. phil., doc. Juris Vuguls Mg. paed., lekt. Baiba Miltoviča |
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| Prior knowledge | |
| PolZM001, Public Administration Soci5043, Sociological Theory |
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| Course abstract | |
| The study course provides in-depth knowledge and understanding of the use of digital media and platforms, integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application of this knowledge to solve issues related to digital media and information literacy. In the study course, students acquire knowledge of theories of digital media analysis and approaches to critical evaluation of information content. | |
| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge. Knowledge of the nature, classification, and types of digital media and information and platform society; knowledge of technological and digital progress in media development (Test 1); knowledge of identifying disinformation, fake news, and elements of information space protection, understands theories of media social and cultural effects (Test 2).
Professional skills. Ability to apply the acquired theoretical knowledge when discussing media content usage habits and public needs, media literacy and disinformation, elements of information space protection, understands the proportionality between the individual’s right to data protection and the public’s right to follow current events; ability to identify the possibilities and limitations of digital media in project management (practical work). Soft skills: ability to responsibly plan and complete assigned tasks, demonstrates interpersonal, collaborative and organizational skills (practical work). Competence. Ability to identify and analyze digital media and platform society developments, knows not only theoretical approaches and concepts, methodology in their analysis, but also knows how to apply digital media and information literacy in solving problems (exam). |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| Full-time studies
Lecture topics (20 hours): 1.Digital media and society. Social, cultural and political dimension of digital society. Social and individual functions of digital media. (2 hours) 2.Technological and digital progress in media development. Media and communication platforms, changes in social and communication relations, changes in culture and the creative industry in the creation, distribution and consumption of media content. (2 hours) 3.Theories of social and cultural effects of media: Theory of media use and gratification; Theory of media system addiction; Theory of information or knowledge gap; Theory of the spiral of silence; Theory of cultivation; Cultural studies; Theory of domestication; Theory of diffusion of innovations; Theory of media ecology. (2 hours), 1. control work 4.Digital literacy and media literacy. Concepts of media literacy and information literacy. Historical development of media literacy. Studies of mass media use. (2 hours) 5.Disinformation, manipulation and hate speech in the media environment. Critical analysis and distinction of situations, opinions and facts. Fake news. False reports and manipulatively disseminated information. (2 hours) 6.Data protection and processing of personal data in the media environment. Proportionality between the right of an individual to data protection and the right of the public to follow important events. (2 hours), 2nd test 7.Ethics of media and public relations. Quality and responsibility of the media environment. Basic principles of Latvian media policy. Safety of the media environment. (2 hours), independent work 8.Mass media theories in communication science: Magic bullet and hypodermic injection theory; Two-step flow theory; Agenda setting theory; Framing theory; Nomination theory; Normative theories; Gatekeeping theory. (2 hours) 9.Main principles of ethics and their observance in communication. Dialogue, dialogicity and otherwise. (2 hours) 10.Challenges and research directions of contemporary media literacy. Big data analysis, the impact of artificial intelligence on the development of media literacy and platform society. Platform society and the Internet of Things. Recommendations developed by international organizations for the development of media literacy (UNESCO, Council of the European Union). (2 hours) Topics and content of practical work and seminars (20 hours): 1.Social, cultural and political dimension of digital society. The nature, classification and types of digital media and information and platform society. Technological and digital progress in media development (2 hours) (1st test). 2.The role of digital media in project management. The possibilities and limitations of digital media in project management. Media diversity formats, genres, authors, sources, themes, opinions and involved groups. Forms and types of digital public engagement. (2 hours) 3.Media content usage habits of Latvian residents and public needs. Disinformation, fake news and elements of information space protection. Theories of media social and cultural effects (2 hours) (2nd test). 4.The role of media literacy and disinformation. Media literacy as an element of information space protection. (2 hours) 5.The nature, types and their classification of platform society. Platform ecosystem. Areas of platform society. (2 hours) (practical work) 6.Proportionality between the individual's right to data protection and the public's right to follow important events. (2 hours) 7.Quality, ethics and responsibility of the media environment. Basic principles of Latvian media policy. Reliability of the media environment. (2 hours) 8.Fake news. False reports and manipulatively disseminated information. Difficulties caused by the use of big data. (2 hours) 9.Legal regulation of mass media. Legal framework and competence of law enforcement institutions and development of legal acts. (2 hours) 10.Recommendations developed by international organizations for the development of media literacy. Media literacy and information literacy. (2 hours) Part-time distance learning: All topics specified for full-time studies are covered, but the number of contact hours is reduced to half of the number specified for full-time studies. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Exam. The final assessment is cumulative on the following topics and tasks: 1) The nature, classification, and types of digital media and information and platform society. Development of technological and digital media progress (Test 1 – 20%). Disinformation, fake news and elements of information space protection, theories of social and cultural effects of media (Test 2 – 20%). 2) The nature, types, and classification of platform society. Platform ecosystem. Areas of platform society (practical work – 20%), 3) Exam (exam – 40%).
The study process in part-time distance learning is organised in accordance with Order of the Vice-Rector for Studies No. 2.4-8/54 on distance learning procedures at LBTU. Study courses are scheduled for each semester according to the study plan. Students acquire the topics covered in each course independently, using the materials prepared and uploaded by the lecturer in the e-studies environment (Moodle). Feedback on the learning of lecture and seminar topics is provided through self-assessment tests, discussion forums, and individual tasks, as well as during face-to-face or online consultations, lectures, and final examinations, according to the timetable. |
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| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| Master’s students study scientific literature to prepare for tests, practical work, and exam. | |
| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| Master’s students must prepare for and successfully pass two tests (40%), complete a practical work (20%), and successfully pass an exam (40%). 10% corresponds to one point on a 10-point assessment scale. | |
| Compulsory reading | |
| 1.Athique A. Digital media and society: an introduction. Cambridge: Polity, 2013. 295 p.
2.Caliandro A., Gandini A., Qualitative Research in Digital Environments. London: Routledge, 2016. 240 p. 3.Comunello F., Mulargia S. Social Media in Earthquake-Related Communication: Shake Networks. UK: Emerald Publishing Limited. 2018 Pieejams LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=1f124df7-9763-3e67-abd4-ac313d4f9311 4.Griffin M.M. Social Media: Influences on Education. 2021. Pieejams LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=4e1c3a94-15c9-3217-a712-8c8e7eb03b17 5.Irwin N.S. Digital Media: Human–Technology Connection. 2016. Pieejams LBTU EBSCOhost datubāzē: https://research-ebsco-com.ezproxy.llu.lv/linkprocessor/plink?id=8c5113ed-2b2c-3fe6-aa9e-b7a72fe8b21a |
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| Further reading | |
| 1.Freibergs V. Mapping Media Literacy in Latvia: National summary. In: European Audiovisual Observatory. Mapping of media literacy practices and actions in EU-28 Strasbourg: European Audiovisual Observatory. 2016, p. 274–284. Pieejams: https://rm.coe.int/1680783500
2.Rožukalne A., Skulte I., & Stakle A. Media Education in the Common Interest: Public Perceptions of Media Literacy Policy in Latvia. Central European Journal of Communication, 2020, 13(2), 202–229. Pieejams: https://science.rsu.lv/en/publications/media-education-in-the-common-interest-public-perceptions-of-medi 3.Rohlinger D.A. (ed.), Sobieraj S. (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Digital Media Sociology. New York: Oxford University Press. 2020. 744. p. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1.Nacionālā elektronisko plašsaziņas līdzekļu padome. Medijpratības datu bāze. Pieejams: https://medijpratiba.neplp.lv/
2.EPALE - Eiropas pieaugušo mācīšanās elektroniskā platforma, Pieejams: https://epale.ec.europa.eu/lv/tagi/medijpratiba |
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| Notes | |
| Elective study course in the ESAF academic master's study program "Sociology of Organizations and Public Administration" | |