Objectives: After the course the student is familiar with the discussion and thesis of their field.

Contents: The course deepens the students' conceptual and theoretical understanding of Social Sciences. The lectures focus on it from the point of view of each subject, and the students base their essays on it.

Only for students in Bachelor of Social Sciences programme.

Only available for the degree students of Bachelor's programme in Social Sciences.

Objectives: After the course students are able to use and apply scientific information and report information related to their research question. They also learn to discuss their own and others work scientifically.

Content: During the seminar (periods I-III) students write a Bachelor's thesis. During the first part of the seminar a student prepares a research plan, where she/he discusses research question and previous research done on the topic, and determine what materials/data she/he will use. During the second part of the seminar the student produce the thesis. The work done in the seminar groups consists of writing, discussing, reading, commenting and oral reporting of scientific texts and research. During period IV the final version of the thesis will be submitted and maturity test will be taken.

Major subject supervisors:

Journalism and Mass Communication: Taisto Hujanen and Iiris Ruoho

International Relations and Political Science: Corinna Wolff

Social Policy: Katja Repo

Compensation in the Bachelor of Social Sciences programme: 5 ECTS from TIEIB8D1 Communication Studies.

26.10.

12-15 Media and Society (Kaarle Nordenstreng & Jukka Pietiläinen)

2.11.

12-15  Media Systems in Europe (Kaarle Nordenstreng & Jukka Pietiläinen)

9.11.

12-15 European Broadcasting Policy (Greg Lowe)

16.11.

14-16 Finnish and Scandinavian Media (Jyrki Jyrkiäinen)

23.11.

12-15 Russian Media History (Dmitry Strovsky)

30.11.           

12-15 Current Russian Media (Sergey Gryzunov)

7.12.             

12-15 Russian Media in Western View (Jukka Pietiläinen)

Visiting lecturer: Anda Rozukalne, Riga Stradins University, Latvia

Special lecture series on TV reality formats development in Latvia which includes case analysis and theoretical approach of participation culture, fandom and changes of media content structure.

The lecture series is open for all exchange and degree students at the University of Tampere.

Lecture topics:

1. International TV products for Latvian audience: globalization vs. glocalization
2. The roots of the adapted international dancing and singing shows phenomenon in Latvia.
3. Who will became a real TV star? The question on domestic celebrities as participants of TV reality shows.
4. Reality television and transformations in TV structure, production and output. Case analysis of commercial and public TV products in Latvia.
5. Audience of TV shows: fandom, mediated participation culture, interactivity.

Language of instruction: English

Teaching methodology: lectures, discussion

Assessment: 1-5 point scale

1. Attendance in the lecture seminar

2. Essay (8 pages)

Teaching methods: lectures.

Evaluation: Class attendance and active participation in discussions (30%) and essay (70%). Essay literature and instructions will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Visiting lecturer: Assistant Professor B. Ahu Erdogdu from Yeditepe University, Turkey

The lectures is open for all exchange and degree students. The students will take part in the lecture series and write an essay (8 pages) which lecturer will evaluate and give a grade.

Lecture topics:

1. What is New Media?
2. New media in everyday life (Social Media)
3. Traditional and New Media in Turkey
 4. The Future of Media in Turkey
(technological and cultural distinctions in EU countries)

Language of instruction: English

Teaching methodology: lectures, discussion

Assessment: 1-5 point scale

1. Attendance in the lecture seminar

2. Essay (8 pages)

Evaluation: Class attendance and active participation in discussions (30%) and essay (70%). Essay literature and instructions will be provided at the beginning of the course.