Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Information Theory
Other languages of instruction: Spanish
Teaching staff
To set up an appointment, you can contact with the teacher via e-mail.
Núria Roca Trenchs: nroca@uic.es
Introduction
What does the news tell us? How do they tell us? And why do they tell us that way? The main objective of Information Theory is for students to begin to ask themselves questions like these, reflecting on how we inform ourselves today and thus developing their critical thinking skills.
In democratic societies, information has such a fundamental role that it conditions our very existence. It encompasses and reaches any human activity, influencing decision-making and our perception of what is happening in the world. Over just two decades, the digital age has multiplied the communication channels through which information flows in a previously unimaginable way. The classical theories that address the phenomena associated with communication have been superseded by new paradigms. This subject, therefore, deals with the need to include, alongside the traditional study of communication models, the study of others that are the consequence of immersion in a digital, interactive world without borders. Familiarisation with this environment allows students to develop critical thinking and better understand reality, which is essential in learning about for the role of a communicator.
Pre-course requirements
None.
Objectives
- Gain a broad and in-depth understanding of the phenomena of communication and information.
- Understand the day-to-day work of information professionals who work with audiovisual media.
- Reflect on the role that audiovisual information plays in today’s societies.
- Grasp the functioning of communication processes and their effects on society.
- Complement theoretical learning about the communication and information sciences with a practical application.
- Develop critical thinking skills in relation to patterns of action in contemporary media.
- Understand and gauge the professional responsibility of communicators.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 01 - The ability to adapt to varying circumstances
- 02 - The ability to understand, accept criticism and correct errors
- 03 - The ability to administer and manage human and technical resources
- 04 - The ability to work in a team and autonomously
- 05 - The ability to organise time and workspace
- 06 - The ability to develop academic rigour, responsibility, ethics and professionalism
- 07 - The ability to apply the deontology and respect for the audiovisual sector
- 08 - The ability of critical analysis, synthesis, concretion and abstraction
- 09 - The ability to objectify, quantify and interpret (data, statistics, empirical evidence )
- 10 - The ability to confront difficulties and resolve problems
- 11 - The ability to generate debate and reflection
- 12 - The ability to meet deadlines, develop the ability to be punctual and respect for human, technical and material resources
- 13 - The ability to create spoken and written communication
- 14 - Knowledge and mastery of rhetoric and oratory to communicate own ideas
- 15 - Knowledge and mastery of body language and techniques for public speaking
- 16 - The ability to manage, analysis and reflect on content
- 18 - The capacity and development of general culture and interest in social events
- 19 - The ability of informative documentation
- 20 - Knowledge and mastery of bibliographic media
- 21 - Knowledge and mastery of the digital culture
- 22 - Knowledge and mastery of the distinction between opinion and information / colloquial and cultured register
- 23 - The ability to prioritize newsworthy events and contrast information
- 24 - The ability to plan and organize both short term and long term projects
- 26 - The ability to develop a sense of taste and perfection in the aesthetics and finalization of projects
- 27 - The ability to adapt to distinct audio visual publics and markets.
- 35 - The ability to contextualize and critically analyze the products of the audiovisual industry
- 37 - The ability to contextualize and critically analyze the organizational structure of global communication
- 38 - The ability to understand and apply the structure of the audiovisual system
- 39 - The ability to understand and apply the legal dimension of an audiovisual product
- 40 - The ability to defend and respect authorship and intellectual property
- 41 - The ability to know how the distinct elemental agencies of the audio visual sector function
- 42 - The ability to distinguish, analyze and dominate the distinct genres and formats of television, film and radio
- 44 - The ability to adapt to new audiovisual formats
- 50 - The ability to adapt, understand and apply the expressive possibilities of new technologies and future changes
- 51 - Knowledge and mastery of the functioning of Corporate and Institutional Communication.
- 52 - The ability to apply audiovisual knowledge and techniques for commercial purposes in any form
- 53 - Lingustic ability in Catalan, Spanish and English
- 54 - The ability to skillfully manage the literature, terminology and linguistic structures of the English language related to the field of communication.
Learning outcomes of the subject
- Los alumnos descubrirán el funcionamiento de los procesos informativos en los medios audiovisuales.
- Los alumnos comprenderán las distintas dimensiones que constituyen la información audiovisual que consumen a diario.
- Los alumnos aprenderán a reflexionar sobre diversos aspectos teóricos de la comunicación y de la información, para después poder aplicarlos en el desarrollo de la práctica periodística.
- Los alumnos profundizarán en la cultura y el pensamiento contemporáneo y sus influencias en dinámicas de comunicación.
Syllabus
Topic 0. Introduction
What is communication? What is information?
Topic 1. The current context of information
1.1. The business communication ecosystem. Public and private media.
1.2. The historical evolution of audiovisual media.
1.2.1. From paleotelevision to hypertelevision.
1.2.2. Survival of radio in the digital environment.
1.3. The professionalization of the information communicator.
1.4. The role of information and image in today's societies.
1.5. The contemporary "media diet."
Topic 2. Structure of communication processes
2.1. Coding and interpretation of the message: from sender to receiver.
2.2. Phases of the process of preparing and transmitting informative content.
2.2.1. Creation. Data collection. Narrative formulas for information.
2.2.2. Distribution. Technology: from film support to satellites.
2.2.3. Reception. Habits in information consumption.
Topic 3. The origin of the information
3.1. The "right to information" and the intermediary function of the journalist.
3.2. Where does the news come from? Types of information sources.
3.3. Trust and data verification.
Topic 4. Communication and public opinion
4.1. Can there be opinion in the information?
4.2. Effects of the media on public opinion.
4.3. News selection and editorial criteria.
4.4. Fake news? Manipulation and misinformation.
Practical case 1: Panama Papers
Practical case 2: 'The crime of the Century'
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
| Coaching. Monitoring how students learn the content of the subject, either individually or in groups. In the coaching sessions, mistakes will be corrected, queries answered, and exercises and activities to achieve the established objectives will be suggested. | 0.6 |
| Focused Praxis. Handing in occasional exercises to learn theory through practice. | 1.2 |
| Seminar. This activity will consist of taking an in-depth look at specific up-to-date topics in a monographic manner-in some cases these topics will have been debated socially-, via active work in small groups. | 0.4 |
| Lectures. In lectures, lecturers/professors not only transmit content or knowledge, but also, and above all else, attitudes, motivation, skills and values, etc. They also ensure that participants can express their opinions and arguments to the other students. | 3.0 |
| Peer learning. The aim of this activity is to ensure that students gain the ability to analyse and be critical. One way of achieving this is by correcting their peers' exercises and results, etc. Each student will be evaluated twice: as both a recipient and a transmitter of critical knowledge. | 0.8 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
First call:
50% Final exam
50% Practical cases
To be able to take an average for the first examination sitting, the exam grade and works must be equal to or greater than 5.
Other calls: to pass, the grade must be 5 or higher.