History: Media History

The course takes you on a journey through media history, from prehistoric times to the present day. You will explore the first writing systems and how oral and written cultures interacted. You will learn about the invention of printing and how it shaped religious conflicts and the rise of nation states. You will also discover media’s role in industrial capitalism, freedom of expression and censorship, postal systems and popular culture.

You will look at newspapers and audio media like the telephone and radio, and analyse how television and film have influenced society. You’ll also discuss communication through text, sound and image in relation to economic, political, cultural and social change. The course uses a broad definition of media and shows how different media forms are connected.

Course syllabus

The syllabus contains the formal and legal details of the entire course. It’s a legal document outlining the course structure and requirements, intended mainly for administrative use.

Course literature

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

The teaching mixes lectures with group work, discussions and presentations. You will practise writing and analysis through assignments and online forums.

Expect plenty of reading and hands-on work with historical sources. You will improve your writing skills and develop confidence in speaking. All teaching is in English.

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 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.

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

Entry requirements

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 62,500
First payment: SEK 62,500

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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.