Growing up with media and moving images

The course is a freestanding course.

Admission to the course requires the completion of courses totaling at least 180 higher education credits, equivalent to the requirements for a bachelor's degree in the humanities or social sciences, or an equivalent qualification. Additionally, English 6/English B from Swedish upper secondary school or the equivalent level on an internationally recognized test, such as TOEFL or IELTS, is required.

The course provides in-depth knowledge about the significance of moving images for children and young people. It broadens the perspective on the contemporary digital media landscape through a historical examination of the development from optical toys, matinee culture, children's television programs, and youth films to children's own filmmaking. Theoretical concepts such as mediatization, moral panic, media play, media literacy, and audiovisual media education are discussed and problematized from a childhood and youth culture perspective. Supported by current research, students are given tools to critically reflect on the interplay between young people's practices and the adult world’s normative systems. By analyzing children's films, youth series, and other forms of moving images, students can deepen their understanding of the transformation of childhood and adolescence in a digital media society.

On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• critically explain key theories and concepts related to children and young people in film and media studies,
• demonstrate advanced understanding of the relationship between audiovisual storytelling and the everyday lives of children and adolescents,
• contextualize and evaluate the historical significance of films, practices, and public debates in the media lives of children and young people,

Skills and abilities

• analyze and contextualize audiovisual forms of expression for, by, and with children and youth using relevant theoretical concepts,
• independently identify, analyze, and critically engage with key questions related to children and young people in film and media studies,
• plan and execute a short media production that reflects and connects with the course content,

Evaluative skills and attitudes 

• critically review and evaluate scholarly texts within the field.
• assess and discuss the relevance and validity of various theories and methods concerning the relationship between young audiences and moving images,
• critically reflect on their personal media use and experiences of media production.

The teaching is conducted in the form of lectures, seminars, workshops, group assignments and screenings of audiovisual material.

Language of instruction: Swedish and English.

The course is assessed through group assignments, a short audiovisual media production (such as a slideshow or video essay), and an individual written home exam. Mandatory components may be substituted with an alternative assignment.

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

Aspects of gender equality and equal treatment will be considered in the content, the literature, the teaching, and the evaluations of the course.

This is a translated version of the Swedish original. In case of differences between the Swedish version and the English translation, the Swedish original shall prevail.