History: From Stone Tablets to Bookprint, Media History before 1600

The course offers a chronological overview of world history from prehistoric times to the early modern period. You will learn about the first writing systems and the relationship between oral and written cultures. You will study the introduction of printing and how it influenced religious conflicts and the formation of nation states. To understand how communication shapes society, you will explore what media is – and what it can be. 

You will read about how the subject has been defined by media historians. Communication through text, sound and image is discussed in relation to economic, political, cultural and social change. The course is based on a broad concept of media and the idea that different media forms must be understood in relation to one another.

The course is taught at the Department of History. The course is given as a full-time course (daytime) on campus. The course is a free-standing course for beginners. This course also forms part of the introductory course in Media History.

Course literature

The course literature listed may be updated up to eight weeks before the course begins.

The teaching combines lectures with group work, discussions and presentations. You will practise your writing and analytical skills through assignments and discussion forums.

Expect plenty of reading and hands-on work with historical source material – including images, handwritten texts and printed books. The course includes a study visit to the University Library, where you will have the chance to examine books printed before 1500. 

You will practise writing and develop your oral presentation skills. All teaching is in English.

This course can be included in a first or second-cycle degree alongside your main subject. Media History is a good complement to subjects like Journalism, Media and Communication Studies, Information Science, Art and Film Studies, Sociology, Political Science or Gender Studies.

Media History is useful in many careers – for example, history or media teacher, journalist, communications officer, museum curator, librarian, publisher, archivist or researcher. Today, historical knowledge is in demand. You will also learn to think critically about communication – a skill that’s highly valued in today’s information society.

Prerequisites

General requirements

Selection criteria

Seats are allocated according to the following: The general average (GPA) of your higher secondary school leaving certificate: 34 %, The Swedish national university aptitude test: 34 %, number of previous ECTS at application deadline (up to 165): 32 %. If students have equal credentials, seats are allocated based on their results on The Swedish National University Aptitude Test. If this too is equal, seats are allocated based on a draw.

Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA citizens

Citizens of countries outside:

• The European Union (EU)
• The European Economic Area (EEA) and
• Switzerland

are required to pay tuition fees. You pay an instalment of the tuition fee in advance of each
semester.

Tuition fees, payments and exemptions

Full programme/course tuition fee: SEK 15,625
First payment: SEK 15,625

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Note that you may also need to pay an application fee, or provide proof of exemption.

Application fee

No tuition fees for citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland

There are no tuition fees for citizens of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland.