Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description

Bachelor’s Thesis

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
KSK_130
Branch of Science
Media and communications
ECTS
30.00
Target Audience
Communication Science; Information and Communication Science; Marketing and Advertising
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time; Part-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Structure Unit Manager
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts

Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv

About Study Course

Objective

To strengthen and ensure the use in practice of the set of knowledge, skills and competences in social sciences corresponding to level 6 of the framework defined in the Latvian classification of education, developing researches and creative products in accordance with specialisation of the study programme (journalism, public relations, multimedia communication, photography).

Preliminary Knowledge

Successfully mastered compulsory part and restricted elective part of the Bachelor’s study programme.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Know in depth the theoretical framework, principles, structure, research methodology and practical methods of the branch of information and communication science. Know in depth the history of development, the theory and current challenges of the branch of information and communication science, including critical understanding of theory and principles.

Skills

1.Able to autonomously select a pressing and innovative topic for their empirical research in the branch of information and communication science and to implement it. Able to autonomously select a pressing and innovative topic for their creative project in the branch of information and communication science and to implement it. Know how to select and use theories and research methods corresponding to the branch of information and communication sciences to develop a pressing and innovative topic in the branch. Able to select and use technologies and technical solutions corresponding to the branch of information and communication sciences to implement creative projects in photography, multimedia, journalism and public relations in a masterful and innovative way. Able to characterise and critically understand problems of the branch of information and communication science in the intersectoral aspect. Demonstrate high-level skills, which are necessary to resolve complex and unpredictable problems in the branch of information and communication science.

Competences

1.In accordance with the peculiarities of the branch of information and communication science, able to independently obtain, select and analyse information and use it to do research and creative work. Able to lead complex research and creative projects and assume responsibility for decision-making in unpredictable work and learning conditions, as well as assume responsibility for management of professional development of persons or teams. Able to assume responsibility for the effects of their professional activity on the environment and community, as well as understand professional ethics of the branch of information and communication sciences. Able to critically and responsibly participate in the development of the branch of information and communication science.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Individual work

-
-
An empirical research should be conducted or a creative project should be produced in the communication branch autonomously.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Examination

-
-
The formulation of the goal and objectives of the paper is determined in accordance with the subject of the research or creative work, demonstrating accuracy and substantiation of clear thoughts. The scope and depth of analysis of literature, the ability to use references are in accordance with the specifics of the paper, which is based on a harmonised, logical and critical comprehensive analysis, using academic style. The ability to resolve complex problem matters, providing a clearly substantiated and logical solution is evaluated. The research development methodology and quality is the one that implements tasks and includes literature analysis solutions, thus effectively creating a methodology for collection of data. Quality of data analysis, using appropriate tools and methods, including a critical evaluation of the analysis of research tasks and literature. The ability to select appropriate concepts and theories is assessed in the use of concepts, models and theory. The part with conclusions and recommendations is substantiated, clear and credible based on obtained results, tasks and conducted research. The presentation of the paper corresponds to methodical instructions, is logical and easy to understand. In creative papers the finality of the produced product (photo story, audio-visual story, short movie, event project, advertisement project, project in journalism, public relations project, etc.) is assessed.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1
  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
1

Topics

Bachelor’s thesis development
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
30.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Defence (Bachelor’s thesis)
PART-TIME
Part 1
  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
1

Topics

Bachelor’s thesis development
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
6.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
24.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Defence (Bachelor’s thesis)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Bakalaura darba izstrādes metodiskie norādījumi. Komunikācijas studiju katedra, RSU

2.

Mike Allen (Ed). The SAGE Encyclopedia of Communication Research Methods. SAGE, 2017

3.

Ron Iphofen & Martin Tolich (Ed). Published: The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research Ethics. SAGE, 2018

4.

Luke Sloan & Anabel Quan-Haase (Ed). The SAGE Handbook of Social Media Research Methods. SAGE, 2016

5.

Uwe Flick. The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Data Collection. SAGE, 2018

6.

Nigel G. Fielding, Raymond M. Lee & Grant Blank (Ed). The SAGE Handbook of Online Research Methods. SAGE, 2017

7.

Claudia Mitchell, Naydene De Lange & Relebohile Moletsane. Participatory Visual Methodologies: Social Change, Community and Policy. SAGE, 2018

8.

Eric Margolis, Luc Pauwels (Ed). The SAGE Handbook of Visual Research Methods. SAGE, 2011