Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Information Theory
Teaching staff
Introduction
The course Information Theory aims to provide a fundamental theoretical foundation that enables understanding, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the characteristic phenomena of the Information Society and the communicative processes that shape contemporary society. Integrated into the Bachelor's Degree in Advertising and Public Relations, this subject focuses on the analysis of content production, mass culture, the digital environment, and the influence of the media on the shaping of values, cognitive frameworks, and collective behaviors.
Pre-course requirements
No prior requirements are necessary.
Objectives
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Acquire an in-depth understanding of the main theories and approaches within the fields of Communication, Information, and Journalism.
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Develop critical competencies for the selection and evaluation of journalistic facts and topics, considering both public interest and broader societal concerns.
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Become familiar with rigorous methods for identifying and accessing information sources, including human and documentary sources, as well as the critical use of digital tools for searching and verifying data and records.
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Understand Information Theory as an essential conceptual framework for interpreting and managing communicative processes and knowledge generation.
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Equip students with the theoretical tools necessary to analyze the contemporary communicative context and its social implications.
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 12 - The ability to produce spoken and written texts
- 34 - The ability to objectify and quantify (facts, statistics, etc.).
- 64 - Knowledge and mastery of bibliographic repertories
- 69 - Knowledge and mastery of the different techniques used to contrast information
- 72 - Knowledge and mastery of the principle techniques for scientific and journalistic investigation
- 73 - Knowledge and mastery of techniques to analyze sources of information.
Syllabus
BLOCK 2: Information and Communication -What is information? -What is communication? -Differences and similarities. -History of information and communication theories. -Communication models. -Mathematical model of information. -Information society. -Information and technological mediations. -Information, post-truth, and AI.
BLOCK 3: Information and Media in Advertising and Public Relations -Information Theory and Advertising. -Information Theory and Public Relations. -Interference and Noise. -Mediations and Primary Media. -Mediations and Secondary Media. -Mediations and Tertiary Media. -Towards a Fourth Media Dimension? -From the Cultural Industry to Cultural Studies. -Towards Interdisciplinary Convergence.
Teaching and learning activities
In person
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | ECTS CREDITS |
| 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. | 2,6 |
| 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 |
| 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. | 1,0 |
| Practical workshop. A highly practical working activity, where students can acquire skills that are practical or also theoretical (intellectual skills, logical skills, critical skills, intellectual learning skills, study skills, quoting skills, etc). | 0,8 |
| Lab. Working groups that combine theory and practice. The aim of these is not to undertake already known techniques, but instead to make progress that is both theoretical and technical. These Lab sessions will culminate in the creation of a professional or semi-professional product. | 1,0 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
- The course will include three assessments, each worth 33%.
- Assignments will be submitted at the end of each of the three units and will consist of a media product (MP) that incorporates the theoretical content reviewed in that same unit.
- The rubric and the evaluation system will be presented in class as the content is introduced.
Students who do not pass all the course assessments will be required to take a final exam at the end of the term.