PRK 3676 Bachelor thesis in Communication Management - RE-SIT EXAMINATION
PRK 3676 Bachelor thesis in Communication Management - RE-SIT EXAMINATION
The course was last completed in the spring of 2021. A re-sit examination will be offered in the spring of 2022, and the last time in the spring of 2023.
The thesis in Communication Management is the capstone course in the Public Relations and Marketing Communication sequence. The thesis is a substantial professional thesis that consists of designing a comprehensive communications campaign for a real-life client based on the scientific approach that ensures informed decision-making grounded in empirical research. The thesis employs a theory to practice model and places emphasis on applied research. Students will be challenged to produce a product that could compete with that of a full-time experienced communication professional. Students will learn the communication planning process, and they will be called on to recall and apply what they have learned in all their previous classes.
Students may elect to develop an empirical thesis within the social science-tradition, or even elect a theoretical approach, i.e. a text analysis, or a discussion over theoretical challenges in communication management.
- When finished with this course students will be able to demonstrate an ability to do original research specific for creating an integrated communications campaign that is designed either to inform, influence attitudes or to achieve a desired behavior.
Students will:
- Be able to choose and use appropriate basic analytical tools for professional projects.
- Be able to integrate theory with practice.
- Develop research skills in the context of a communication campaign.
- Be able to master independent learning.
- Develop knowledge of campaign planning and implementation.
- Be engaged in informed critical and creative thinking.
Students will understand that writing a successful dissertation can be challenging but at the same time it can also be a way for students to get deeper insight into applied research and bridge the gap between theory and practice.
- Literary review
- Background
- Situation analysis
- Strategy: goals and objectives
- Big ideas and creativity
- Key publics
- Messages, strategy and tactics
- Calendaring and budgeting
- Implementation
- Communications measurement and evaluation
Teamwork is the industry's nature. Students will work in groups of 3 to research and plan a communication strategy. Students who can not find a group will be assigned to a group by the lecturer. Students who write a thesis together must be in the same program. A formal presentation of the campaign to the client may also be requested.
Clients must be chosen by the students themselves. All clients must be approved by the faculty responsible for the course. Towards the end of the fall term preceding the bachelor thesis, students will be asked to register their projects.
Students must have permission from the lecturer to work alone or in groups of less than three.
Advisers will be assigned to the students by the faculty responsible for the course. Students will receive 24 hours lecture on the campaign process and communication research methodologies. See also guidelines for the writing of bachelor theses.
In addition, they receive 8 hours group advising (seminars) with their thesis advisor. Oral presentations are included as part of the seminars. Students are also entitled to maximum 3 hours of personal guidance per thesis. The student is responsible for contacting the advisor for personal guidance.
Guidance is given during the regular thesis term.
Bachelor thesis to be submitted by a given deadline. Students who have not participated in the seminars can be called to do an oral presentation of the completed thesis.
Higher Education Entrance Qualification
Covid-19
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there may be deviations in teaching and learning activities as well as exams, compared with what is described in this course description.
The students must have in-depth knowledge of their specialization area in Communication management. They must also possess basic knowledge of social science method.
| Assessments |
|---|
Exam category: Submission Form of assessment: Written submission Weight: 100 Grouping: Group/Individual (2 - 3) Duration: 1 Semester(s) Exam code: PRK36761 Grading scale: ECTS |
| Activity | Duration | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Teaching | 24 Hour(s) | Lectures. |
Seminar groups | 8 | Seminars. |
Prepare for teaching | 40 Hour(s) | |
Submission(s) | 243 Hour(s) | |
Feedback activities and counselling | 3 Hour(s) | Guidance for the Bachelor thesis |
Group work / Assignments | 80 Hour(s) | |
Teaching | 2 Hour(s) | Library information. |
A course of 1 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of 26-30 hours. Therefore a course of 15 ECTS credit corresponds to a workload of at least 400 hours.