On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

- account for and explain theories about risk society with a particular focus on global crises
- explain the various roles of the media in the communication of global risks and crises
- account for and explain theories about cosmopolitanism in relation to media reporting on global risks and crises

- independently examine theories about risk society in connection to the communication of global crises
- independently examine the role of the media in the communication of global risks and crises
- independently examine theories about cosmopolitanism in relation to media reporting on global risks and crises

- critically evaluate theories about risk society in connection to the communication of global crises
- critically evaluate the role of the media in the communication of global risks and crises
- critically evaluate theories about cosmopolitanism in relation to media reporting on global risks and crises

• The development of a global risk society
• The role of the media in communicating global risks and crises
• Cosmopolitanism and media reporting on global risks and crises

The teaching consists of lectures, seminars and exercises performed individually or in groups.

A digital learning platform is used.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive instruction/supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted. After that, the right to receive instruction/supervision expires.

The teaching is conducted in English.

General entry requirements and a Bachelor’s degree (i.e. the equivalent of 180 ECTS credits at an accredited university) with at least 60 credits in media and/or communication studies, journalism, or equivalent. English proficiency is required. Exemption is granted from the requirement in Swedish.

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

The grades A, B, C, D and E are all passing grades. For courses with more than one examination, students are given a final grade based on an overall assessment of all examinations included in the course. The final grade of the course is issued only when all course units have been passed.

The examination is based on instruction and course literature.

The examination must allow for students to be assessed on an individual basis. Students may not make a second attempt at any examination (or element of examination) already passed in order to receive a higher grade. Further information concerning assessment and grading criteria is provided in a study guide distributed at the beginning of the course.

Students are guaranteed a minimum of three examination occasions, including the regular occasion.

If a student has failed the same examination three times, the student is entitled to request that the next examination is assessed and graded by a new examiner if possible. The decision to accept or reject such a request is made by the vice dean of education.

In case the course is terminated or significantly altered, examination according to the present course syllabus shall be offered on at least two occasions in the course of one year after the termination/alteration.

For this course, examination is based on:
- One written assignment

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Individual written assignment	7.5 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F

At the end of the course, a course evaluation is performed and commented on by the course coordinator and, if possible, a student/students (course developer/s). The course evaluation, which is published on the relevant learning platform and submitted to the study administration, is to function as a basis for future improvements to the course.

Beck, Ulrich (1992). Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity. London: Sage. Introduction, chapter 1 and 2 (100 pp.)

Beck, Ulrich (2009). World at Risk. Cambridge, Malden MA: Polity press. (250 pp.)

Cottle, Simon (1998). ”Ulrich Beck, ‘Risk Society’ and the Media: A Catastrophic View?” European Journal of Communication 13(1): 5-32.

Cottle, Simon (2014). ”Rethinking Media and Disasters in a Global age: What’s Changed and why it Matters”. Media, War & Conflict 7(1): 3-22.

Cottle, Simon & Cooper, Glenda (2015). Humanitarianism, Communication, and Change. New York: Peter Lang. (292 pp.)

Joye, Stijn & von Engelhardt, Johannes (2015). ”Audiences in the Face of Distant Suffering: New Challenges for Old Ideals”. International Communciation Gazette 77(7): 603-714, (two mandatory articles + two optional)

Pantti, Mervi, Wahl-Jorgensen, Karin & Cottle, Simon (2012). Disasters and the Media. New York: Peter Lang. (235 pp.)

Citing Sources – How to Create Literature References. http:ju.se/library/search--write/citing-sources---how-to-create-literature-references.html

Information Material about Anti-Plagiarism at Universities. The Interactive Anti-Plagiarism Guide – Jönköping University. http:pingpong.hj.se/public/courseId/10565/publicPage.do