Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to make students aware of the problem of reception in communication through the concepts of interactivity and participation. Students will learn to go beyond a linear vision in terms of simple, direct media effects, and develop a complex vision of how to envisage the media audience. The course therefore seeks to identify the main questions and current issues linked to reception in different fields of communication and for different objects (news media, social networks, museums, TV series, websites, etc.). At the end of this theoretical course, students will have acquired the foundations for thinking about interactivity with the media and the participation of the user-citizen within them.

Goals

The course targets several skills. In terms of knowledge, it involves :

  • understanding the essential concepts of reception, interactivity and participation;
  • defining and distinguishing different approaches to reception, anchored in the course's themes.

In terms of know-how, this involves :

  • identifying the issues involved in reception for a given situation or communication object;
  • knowing how to mobilize and articulate theoretical notions in order to develop a reflection that highlights the questions and issues raised by a concrete case.

Content

The course is divided into four themes, corresponding to four ways of looking at media reception:

  • Audience and public
  • Users and interactivity
  • Participation in media
  • Educational and civic issues

Assessment method

Closed-book written exam. Each of the four themes is the subject of one long and one short question (8 questions in all). Sample questions are given in class, in preparation for the exam. The work carried out during the practical sessions and student attendance are assessed and form part of the overall grade. As part of ongoing assessment, teachers may ask students to submit individual pieces of work, which will be used to fuel discussion of the topics covered in the course sessions.

Sources, references and any support material

  • Slides used for course presentations;
  • A reference bibliography (texts on Webcampus);
  • Webcampus.

Wherever possible, course materials will be posted in advance on Webcampus so that they can be used as notes supports.

Language of instruction

Français
Training Study programme Block Credits Mandatory
Bachelier en information et communication Standard 0 5
Bachelier en information et communication Standard 1 5