History: Newspapers among other Media, 1600-1850

The course focuses on the emergence of media in relation to the growth of industrial capitalism during the early modern period. You will learn about how news media and the postal system developed during this time, how censorship and freedom of expression worked, and how popular culture appeared in chapbooks.

You will also explore how different media interacted – for example, rumours, sermons, newspapers and pamphlets. To understand how communication shapes society, you will learn what media is – and 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 is part of the introductory course in Media History.

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

You will do a lot of reading and work extensively with historical source material, exploring what an early modern medium looked like. The course includes a study visit to the University Library, where you will have the chance to examine different types of written media from the early modern period. The material may be in English, Swedish, Latin, German, French or other languages. You will practise identifying the type of print and learn to describe features such as format, title page and watermark.

You will also develop your writing skills and practise oral presentations. 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.

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 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.