Innovation and Venture Development (HMM123F)

In the course, students develop venture projects from ideation to product. Emphasis is placed on practical work on real-world issues where students apply user-centered methods, work with business models, and conduct diverse analyses and plans.

The first part of the course will introduce design thinking and the basics of project management. The second part will be taught in collaboration with industrial engineering and business administration.

The course is based on workshops and collaboration between students with different academic backgrounds. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, creative solution-seeking, and the development of ideas based on user needs. Students will be introduced to methods for testing and communicating ideas and solutions and will become familiar with the practical and societal impacts of innovation on a broad basis. The course is suitable for students who want to strengthen entrepreneurial thinking and learn to apply innovation methods, whether within organizations, operating companies, or as independent entrepreneurs.

Communication channels I, documentaries, texts, images (HMM122F)

In the courses Communication channels I and Communication channels II, the basics of methods for the dissemination of cultural material in the humanities and social sciences are presented. Communication channels I is in the fall semester, while Communication channels II is in the spring semester. 

In Communication channels I, the students are working with a) text and images in the first half of the semester and b) short documentaries in the second half of the course. Each subject weighs 50% in the course. Concerning a) Students will receive training in article writing and discourse analysis on the one hand and use of images and image analysis on the other.  Concerning b) Students work on making short documentaries. It includes basic training in screenwriting, shooting and editing, and students work in groups on a documentary, according to a specific theme. 

There are no exams in the course. Instead, students work on projects, individual and group projects. They are the following:

1. Analysis of texts and images
2. An article with an image on a specific theme for publication, about 800 words.
3. A group project where students work on a short documentary that is shown at the end of the course. Emphasis is placed on common themes and group work in the course. The course is not taught remotely.

Fundamentals in Web Communications (HMM120F)

Constant technological development and emphasis on digital solutions has brought about frequent and numerous changes in the role of the webmaster. In this course, Efforts will be made to provide students with good insight into the main aspects of the webmaster's work. The writings of experts and scholars will be examined, and students will be introduced to the necessary tools and equipment. Professionals in the field will visit and share their experience with students.

The job of a web editor is often integrated with general web management. Students get a good insight into web editing and writing for digital media. The main aspects that a webmaster / web editor needs to be able to master will be discussed, such as information architecture, writing for the web, presentation of images, fundamentals in web design, accessibility, usability, security, analytics, content management systems (CMS), and basic web interface technology.

Students set up their own websites and use a CMS of their choice, e.g., WordPress or Wix, which are both available in free versions, and some of the assignments are submitted on there. In this way, students gain training in setting up a simple website. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that instruction in the use of the CMS is not part of the course. Those who have no or limited experience, in the use of CMS, are advised that YouTube has numerous videos where you can learn about the systems, from the basics to much more complex aspects that are expected in this course.

Human Computer Interaction (TÖL502M)

Usually taught every second year.

The objective of the course is to allow students to examine more closely than is done in the introductory course Graphical User Interface Programming  HBV201G specific factors of HCI. The factors covered are user interface design using prototyping, programming of smart devices and users‘ acceptability of the software. There will be emphasis on different techniques and tools to develop prototypes. Also, on the design of user interfaces and native programming for smart phones or pads. The development process will be aimed at ensuring accessibility and acceptability of users. Students work on small projects individually, or on larger projects in groups. 

Journalism 1 (BLF110F)

The aim of course is to introduce to students the journalistic profession with an emphasis on reporting and producing news for different media.  Main concepts and methods in newswriting are discussed, such as news values, news gathering and news construction. Students will be trained in writing in a focused, accurate and articulate manner.  Students will get a basic training in using social media to gather and distribute content.

Assignments. Students write news stories and articles for the study program´s online news site, and at times for other news media.

Digital Media (BLF314F)

This course focuses on digital media from multiple perspectives, with an emphasis on social media. It looks at digital and social media in an historical context and how it has influenced professional media, consumers and users. In the first half main theories will be discussed and explained. In the latter examples of the main features of digital and social media will be explored. It´s relation to traditional media, it´s business model, rules and regulation regarding social media, as well as influences on public debate and peoples private life.

Information Retrieval and Digital dissemination (UPP215F)

The course is built on two interwoven pillars: information retrieval and digital dissemination. On the one hand, it addresses how to access, evaluate, and utilize information in a dynamic environment, with special emphasis on using artificial intelligence to refine searches and process text. On the other hand, the focus is on digital communication and strategy, where the use of social media for knowledge dissemination is at the forefront. The objective is for students to acquire comprehensive skills in finding reliable information and communicating it to diverse groups in a clear and responsible manner.

E Business and Digital marketing (VIÐ195F)

The digital environment is radically changing the possibilities of marketing communication and how business is conducted. Digital technology has opened countless possibilities in marketing, business implementation has undergone tremendous changes and significant innovation and business model development has taken place.

The course will cover the development and impact of digital technology on  marketing measures and business practices, how digital technology can be used to support other ways of marketing and how it will shape future marketing policies within a global environment. Special emphasis is placed on new opportunities in direct marketing and to increase customer loyalty. Furthermore, the opportunities offered by digital technology to improve work processes as well as to increase efficiency and effectiveness in operations are discussed.

strategy, value chain impact, digital marketing, business relationship management, customer experience, service design and business transformation will be discussed.

Students will gain an understanding of the role and importance of digital marketing in various type of operations, such as private companies, public activities, and voluntary organizations. The course will furthermore cover contemporary issues such as security, website design, globalization, analysis of return on investment and changing consumer lifestyles.

Great emphasis is placed on active participation of students in the course. This is not a technical course, but the emphasis is on students gaining insight into choosing the most suitable digital technology and media to increase competitiveness.

The Cold War: Art, culture and literature (HMM703F)

The course explores the relationship between political and aesthetic discourse in Iceland during the era of the cultural Cold War, a global ideological struggle waged by the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, for the hearts and minds of populations around the world in the latter half of the 20th century. The course draws on interdisciplinary research on the Cold War, with a focus on the interplay between global influences and local conditions. This glocal approach allows for an examination of Icelandic agents in the Cold War not only as representatives of the two empires, the United States and the Soviet Union, but also based on their own cultural values and interests. A mixed methodology will be employed, incorporating theories and methods from the social sciences, as well as from art history, literary studies, and historiography. Special emphasis will be placed on the analysis of literary texts and artworks, while attention will also be given to the participation of Icelandic intellectuals and artists in international cultural activities. Students will explore how the Cold War has been addressed in recent years, both in academic contexts and in public dissemination through exhibitions, podcasts, and graphic novels.

Internship (HMM013F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Internship (HMM014F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Radio production and podcasting (HMM235F)

The course is run in cooperation with the state radio station: RÚV - Rás 1. Discussion will take place into the presentation of radio/audio material, various examples being examined. Attention will be given to the nature of audio communication and the possibilities of audio communication in the present media environment. Attention is also paid to concept development, interview techniques, recording techniques, dramaturgy and editing, accentuating sustainability and self-reliance. All students will complete a final project involving the making of radio programmes.

Final project (HMM431L)

.

Theory of Creative AI: Analysing the Impact of AI on Creative Work (MFR715M)

This course explores the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and creative practices, focusing on the artistic, philosophical, ethical, and socio-cultural dimensions of AI-driven creativity. Grounded in the humanities, with emphasis on creativity studies, the course will enable students to critically assess how generative AI is reshaping traditional notions of creativity, authorship, and artistic production. Having explored key definitions of creativity itself, the course covers key issues such as the automation of creative work, the implications of AI-generated content for intellectual property and copyright, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding cultural appropriation in the digital age. Students will engage with debates on the tension between industrial AI big-data-driven systems versus small-data approaches, examining the consequences for artistic innovation and originality. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, students will explore a variety of creative works, study production platforms where AI technologies are used, and gain practical experience in the application of AI for creative purposes. The course integrates modern theories of creativity with critical analysis of AI, and it will challenge students to rethink the boundaries of human and machine creativity. Course assessment will be based on creative work diaries that students will keep during the course, active participation in class, as well as an oral presentation of a short, written piece.

Striking Vikings: Vikings in modern culture, film, and video games (SAF301M)

Vikings are one of the most recognisable group of people from the past. Often seen as crazed berserker, with horned helmets, battle axes raised and ready, beautiful long hair billowing in the wind, they are thought of jumping out of longboats, running up the shore towards an unexpecting populace. This image crosses cultural barriers: Viking re-enactment societies exist in places with no actual Viking history. People proudly declare themselves Vikings as part of their identity and way of life. There is Viking metal, beers, foods, restaurants, and comic books. A further demonstration of the endurance of the Viking myth is the silver screen: The first Viking film came out in 1907 and are produced to this day. This, in turn, influences the use of Vikings in other areas, including the tourism sector, museum exhibitions, music industry, food and drink production and the video game industry.

This course introduces the various uses of Vikings in society, starting with tracing the history of the modern, popular culture Vikings back to Victorian times, all the way to Iceland during, and after the economic crash 2008-2011. Students will be shown the various uses of Vikings in the cultural sector, discussing the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the Viking imagery and its uses in the present and past. Next, they will gain an insight into Vikings in films related to the image of Iceland. This raises the question: in which films do Vikings appear, and how are they portrayed? The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Viking representations in Icelandic cinema, exploring how they have been depicted by Icelandic filmmakers as well as by international directors who have chosen to make films about and/or set in Iceland. Finally, Vikings in video games are explored, introducing how Old Norse literature migrates into gaming, and how the image of Vikings has altered and expanded within the gaming sphere.

 Learning Outcomes: Students – gain knowledge of the history of vikings as mediated through cultural artifacts and images – get a comprehensive overview of the mediation of the Viking image in the 20th century – are able to analyze and discuss the most prominent mediation practices and traditions in the 20th century – can analyze and situate historically the various mediated representations of vikings in contemporary culture.

Art and History: The formation of Artworlds (LIS709F)

In recent decades, theoretical contexts of art historiography and art criticism have been thoroughly reexamined. New theories, new data and digital technologies have led to a drastic change in research questions and approaches. Critical concepts such as intersectionality, inclusion, sustainability, social activism, and environment have led to new methodologies and different perspectives. In this course, these approaches will be discussed though reading the latest research in the field of art and cultural history. Ideas about the global artworlds and its cultural and political connections will be examined in detail, a variety of topics will be discussed and dissected in writing.

Applied folklore (ÞJÓ304M)

This course introduces the ways in which the fields and methods of folklore/ethnology are and may be put to use, how their application may help broaden and deepen public debates and positively affect society's self-understanding and self-fashioning. We discuss how folklore/ethnology may be put to use in tourism, museums, arts and various media. One area of focus is also the accessibility and uses of folklore collections. We explore, moreover, various scholarly and popular genres in which the conclusions of ethnological research (based on historical sources, interviews and other fieldwork methods) may be disseminated: exhibitions, festivals, events, articles, books, websites, radioshows or documentaries. Different means of reaching different groups of people will be discussed and moral, financial and political issues will be addressed.

The course will partly be taught in intensive workshops, 3 days at the beginning of the semester in Reykjavík and 4 days during project week in Hólmavík in the Westfjords. Students will work on projects in applied ethnology/public folklore. There will be no final exam.

Introduction to quantitative research (FMÞ001F)

The main subject of the course is quantitative methods and statistics used in social sciences. The focus will be on research design, sample methods and designing questionnaires. The statistical part will cover descriptive and inferential statistics. Special emphasis will be on factorial ANOVA and multiple regression. Students will get practical training in data analysis using jamovi. Students can use their own data.

Introduction to Qualitative Research (FMÞ103F)

The course’s objective is to introduce students to the diverse, academic criteria of qualitative research in social sciences and secondly that student’s gain experience in using qualitative methods. Furthermore, the course is practical in nature where each student works on an independent research assignment, which consists of designing and preparing a research project, collecting and analyzing data, and writing the main findings with guidance from the teacher. Research preparation, the creation of a research plan, data collection and analysis along with academic writing will be extensively covered during the course.

Writing and Editing (ÍSL101F)

Training in various aspects of the writing and editing of scientific texts. Various kinds of texts (non-fiction) examined and evaluated. Training in reviewing and commenting on scientific texts and in other aspects of editorial work. The main emphasis will be on the writing of articles, but other kinds of texts will also be considered, both shorter (conference abstracts, reviews) and longer (theses, books), as well as research proposals. Discussion of guidelines for the preparation of manuscripts. Types of plagiarism and how to avoid them and find them. Texts on different subjects will be used as examples, especially writings in linguistics, literature and history. The book Skrifaðu bæði skýrt og rétt will be used as a textbook (Höskuldur Þráinsson 2015).

This course is open to students of many MA programmes in the School of Humanities, cf. the regulations of the individual subjects. Students in the MA programmes in Icelandic literature, Icelandic linguistics, Icelandic studies and Icelandic teaching can take the course as part of the MA course requirements in Icelandic literature or Icelandic linguistics. Students in the MA programme in Icelandic teaching can, however, not have this course as the only linguistics or literature course in their MA.

Cultural and Digital Innovation (HMM241F)

The course explores diverse manifestations of cultural innovation within the fields of culture and mediation, with a special emphasis on the impact and potential of digital technologies. Attention is given to the management and operation of organizations working in the cultural and creative sectors, and to how innovation can support cultural value, sustainability, and the development of new modes of mediation.

Students are introduced to key theories and methods related to cultural management, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship in cultural contexts. The course examines the interrelations between culture, economy, and technology, and how cultural innovation can foster participation, new business models, and emerging forms of cultural communication and experience.

Communication channels II. Oral presentations, exhibitions, digital communication (HMM242F)

In the course Communication channels II during the spring semester the students work with the following communication methods: a) oral presentation and b) exhibitions of cultural and historical material. Digital communication will be integrated into both aspects.

The students will work with the basics of oral presentation and practice in smaller and larger groups. Basic issues regarding the organization of conferences and seminars and their management will also be reviewed and a conference is held where all students present their projects. Digital communication will also be integrated into this section. Following is a section about exhibitions with connection to digital communication. The basics of exhibitions and different ways of presentation will be discussed.  The basics of digital communication will be covered, what are the main channels, advantages and disadvantages, and what rules apply to the presentation of texts on the web.

There are no exams in the course. Instead, students work on projects, individual and group projects. They are the following:

1. Lecture at a conference and other projects in that context
2. Exhibition analysis and a practical project in connection with exhibitions organized by the City History Museum (Borgarsögusafn)
3. Digital communication will be integrated into both aspects. Emphasis is placed on common themes and group work in the course.

The course is not taught remotely.

Editing and design of printing tools (RÚT803F)

An introduction to the collaboration and division of work between an editor and a graphic designer in the creation of printed work with emphasis on the importance of typography. Students will gain insight into the basis of typography and preparation for print as well as learning about the graphic designer's tools in context with principal kinds of print. The course will include readings and discourse on the influence of graphic design on legibility and understanding, as well as discourse on quality, usefulness, aesthetics and practicality in graphic design.

The student will present and hand in a written analysis on a printed good of their own choice and are also encouraged to actively participate in discussions in class. The final project consists of creating your own publishing project and communicating ideas on its editing graphically and in writing.

Web Management and Information Architecture (UPP110F)

The course aims to provide insight into information architecture and the fundamentals of web management. Emphasis is placed on information architecture, including site structure, navigation systems, naming systems, labeling, and user information behavior. Methodologies for organizing information on websites are discussed, along with considerations for meeting user needs. The course also addresses other aspects of web management, such as needs analysis, user testing, and accessibility.

Internship (HMM014F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Internship (HMM013F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Creative Documentary (HMM220F)

The basic types of documentaries will be discussed as well as methods of documentary making, editing and cinematography. Emphasis will be put on practical projects and students will be required to make at least one documentary during the course.

Culture and Cultural Communication (HMM240F)

The course critically engages with the concept of culture, addressing predominant conceptualizations while simultaneously exploring the role, conditions and influence of culture in the present. The objective is to generate a disciplined discussion on cultural heritage, cultural politics and policy, and cultural sustainability in conjunction with questions on the practicality of presenting and communicating expressions of culture. Attention is paid to the relationship between the cultural field and other social, political and economic aspects of society and how these enable and limit the communication and dissemination of cultural resources. Questions on how cultural heritage, traditions, collective memory, ideas on authenticity and identity generate the formation and reproduction of cultural constellations are dealt with as well as how conceptualizations such as ‘cultural capital’, ‘cultural hegemony’ and ‘authorized discourse on heritage’ can be employed to understand and analyze manifestations of culture.

Final project (HMM431L)

.

Art Criticism and Curation (LIS805F)

The course lays the foundation for the active work of curators for practical work in the field of art and museums. We work in an interdisciplinary and critical way with concepts and theories that relate to the work of curators in the field of contemporary art. Students work in teams and set up an exhibition in collaboration with art students or artists. Students will apply knowledge and methods to practical issues, work on preparation, design, text writing and preparation of promotional material in connection with an exhibition. The course is partly run in collaboration with the Master's program in art at the University of Iceland, and students will have the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Iceland Art Museum and other recognised art museums.

Professional works: Case study analysis (SAF011F)

This course examines professionalism, using case studies from museum work in Iceland, from a broad, interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and debates. This course should therefore appeal to students from a variety of disciplines, including museology, archaeology, art studies, cultural studies, anthropology and folklore. The case studies are related to the variable works of museums, including management, organisation, collection, conservation, research and communication.

Furthermore, methods of assessment will be considered, both from the angle of the museum visitor as well as self-appraisals of the museums themselves (approaches to - and processing of information). The subject of the case studies are variable, including administration, gender considerations, accessibility, conservation of archaeological artefacts, research into visual cultural heritage, freedom of expression, housing and building affairs, gifts to museums and more.

In this course, experts and specialists (from Iceland and abroad), working in museum sector will give talks, sharing their knowledge and their experience. Students will choose one day over the semester, for a one day career day at a museum in Reykjavík, where a member of staff will tell them about the museum‘s main activities and demonstrate basic entry input in their electronic database. Students will work with the staff for the remainder of the day.

The course is taught distance learning, with short, online lectures by teachers and guest-lecturers. It also includes three full day on-campus (or Zoom, should that be needed) lecture days, where students will visit museums around Reykjavík and listen to lectures from a variety of people. Attendance is required during the three day on-campus and Zoom days.

Final grade is based on completing written assignments during the semester, attendance for full-day on-campus/zoom days and the career day.

Introduction into Curating (SAF019F)

Curating is a fast growing discipline within various types of museums, like art museums, natural history museums and cultural history museums. In this course different approches to curating, exhibition making and exhibition design in such museums will be examined from critical perspectives, with emphasis on management, different narrative strategies, scripting and mediation. Past and present exhibitions of art museums, natural history museums and cultural history museums, in Iceland and abroad, will be critically addressed and analyzed.

The Art Object: Life and Material (LIS808M)

Interdisciplinary reseach on material culture has expanded considerably in the last decades. Although art historians have, in some sense, always studied materiality, material culture, collecting and provenance, art history as a field has had limited part in academic discourse within material culture studies on human relationships to objects. In this course students are afforded a valuable opportunity to consider deeply art objects and their „lives“ within and outside of institutions: their manufacture, use, exchange, exhibition, conservation, classification and definition, as well as the values and ideas attached to them. Each week students are presented with one object  of study and receive training in various methods of researching, analyzing and interpreting art, through visual analysis, analysis of the material and make of objects, their categorization within the classification systems of museums and examination of provenance and exhibition history. Alongside this students will be introduced to theories of material culture studies and their intersection with the subjects and theories art history, such as insititutional critique and provenance. The course is run in collaboration with museums in the capital region of Iceland and is suitable for students of art history, visual art, history, archaeology, folkloristics and museum studies.

Gender Trouble in the Arts (LIS429M)

This course explores artworks in the context of gender and discusses the theoretical basis of gender studies and its trans-disciplinary nature. It seeks to explore how ideas on gender influence artistic practice and discussion and writing on the fine arts. The representations and meanings of gender in language, society and culture are also analyzed with an emphasis on stereotypes and/or their deconstruction in the positions artists take in their work. The approach taken by feminists and queer theory is used to explore the role of gender in the works of artists who bend stereotypical images of femininity and masculinity and create upheaval in the dominant discourse and gender systems of the Western world. Studies on gender inequality and its diverse representations in the contemporary art world are introduced and discussed.

Visual Methodologies (FMÞ001M)

The objective of this course is to gain methodological knowledge, understanding and practical skills to analyze images and visual data (photographs, films, drawings, advertisements, online media, etc.). We will discuss various methods of analysis of the visual content, consider visual databases and how to work with them. Students receive practical training in visual methodological studies and how to evaluate them. The course is based on practical assignments, where students prepare and design research proposals, collect data and how to analyze. The course is interdisciplinary and is suitable for students of humanities and social sciences, and other related fields.

Internship (HMM013F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Internship (HMM014F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Final project (HMM431L)

.

Communication channels I, documentaries, texts, images (HMM122F)

In the courses Communication channels I and Communication channels II, the basics of methods for the dissemination of cultural material in the humanities and social sciences are presented. Communication channels I is in the fall semester, while Communication channels II is in the spring semester. 

In Communication channels I, the students are working with a) text and images in the first half of the semester and b) short documentaries in the second half of the course. Each subject weighs 50% in the course. Concerning a) Students will receive training in article writing and discourse analysis on the one hand and use of images and image analysis on the other.  Concerning b) Students work on making short documentaries. It includes basic training in screenwriting, shooting and editing, and students work in groups on a documentary, according to a specific theme. 

There are no exams in the course. Instead, students work on projects, individual and group projects. They are the following:

1. Analysis of texts and images
2. An article with an image on a specific theme for publication, about 800 words.
3. A group project where students work on a short documentary that is shown at the end of the course. Emphasis is placed on common themes and group work in the course. The course is not taught remotely.

Fundamentals in Web Communications (HMM120F)

Constant technological development and emphasis on digital solutions has brought about frequent and numerous changes in the role of the webmaster. In this course, Efforts will be made to provide students with good insight into the main aspects of the webmaster's work. The writings of experts and scholars will be examined, and students will be introduced to the necessary tools and equipment. Professionals in the field will visit and share their experience with students.

The job of a web editor is often integrated with general web management. Students get a good insight into web editing and writing for digital media. The main aspects that a webmaster / web editor needs to be able to master will be discussed, such as information architecture, writing for the web, presentation of images, fundamentals in web design, accessibility, usability, security, analytics, content management systems (CMS), and basic web interface technology.

Students set up their own websites and use a CMS of their choice, e.g., WordPress or Wix, which are both available in free versions, and some of the assignments are submitted on there. In this way, students gain training in setting up a simple website. Particular attention is drawn to the fact that instruction in the use of the CMS is not part of the course. Those who have no or limited experience, in the use of CMS, are advised that YouTube has numerous videos where you can learn about the systems, from the basics to much more complex aspects that are expected in this course.

Innovation and Venture Development (HMM123F)

In the course, students develop venture projects from ideation to product. Emphasis is placed on practical work on real-world issues where students apply user-centered methods, work with business models, and conduct diverse analyses and plans.

The first part of the course will introduce design thinking and the basics of project management. The second part will be taught in collaboration with industrial engineering and business administration.

The course is based on workshops and collaboration between students with different academic backgrounds. Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship, creative solution-seeking, and the development of ideas based on user needs. Students will be introduced to methods for testing and communicating ideas and solutions and will become familiar with the practical and societal impacts of innovation on a broad basis. The course is suitable for students who want to strengthen entrepreneurial thinking and learn to apply innovation methods, whether within organizations, operating companies, or as independent entrepreneurs.

Management of Innovation (VIÐ307F)

The course provides students with insight into the management of innovation, whether involving product, technology, or service development. The nature of innovation, its processes, and its role in corporate management and strategy are examined, along with how to create an environment that fosters creativity and effective innovation outcomes. Students are introduced to the main theories in innovation management and analyse the components of the innovation process and their interconnections. The course also offers an overview of public funding schemes available for innovation projects. The course is based on practical case work as well as research on innovation environments and innovation management.

Theories in Humanities (FOR709F)

The aim of the course is to provide students with a more comprehensive and deeper insight into the different theoretical approaches within the humanities. In the course, the main theories that have influenced theoretical discussion in the humanities over the last decades will be presented and discussed, and the students are taught how to apply them in their own research.

Globalization (MAN095F)

New theories and studies on globalization and global processes are presented in the class. The course aims at giving a general overview of important themes related to globalization processes. Studies that shed light on the diverse economic, social and political aspects of global processes are furthermore examined. A critical examination of main concepts is an important aspect of the course but studies that show how people are agents/victims in globalized world are also presented.

The teaching consists of lecture and class discussions. 

 The course is taught in English.

Cultural Studies and Social Critique (MFR701F)

The course reviews cultural studies on the whole and focuses on its value as a radical form of social and cultural criticism. Texts of key authors from the 19th Century and until recent years are discussed with the very concept of culture as a central issue and the question of its meaning for critical reflexion on society, history and contemporaneity. The interpellation of cultural criticism and the study of culture is scrutinized and the way in which this relationship is central for cultural studies. This conflict, which can be felt in older and recent texts has for the last decades been a fertile ground for the humanities in general and characterizes their connection to cultural politics. Concepts such as ideology, power, hegemony, gender and discourse play a central role in the discussion.

Leadership and Communication (VIÐ182F)

In the foreground throughout the course is the role of the manager, at all levels of the hierarchy, its nature and its challenges. Human resource issues and communication are the focus area and connected to all of the course topics and assignments. The leadership role of the manager is examined; particularly in relation to general human resource management and the management of employees through reform projects and radical changes. Leadership is also examined in relation to successful teamwork and approaches to managing and solving conflicts and challenging human resource issues.

The main objective of the course is that the students gain knowledge of the meaning of the key concepts and a solid understanding of the theoretical principles, methods, and options that the manager can employ in order to successfully fulfil his/her role. Diverse teaching methods are used to encourage the interest, interaction, and participation of students.

E Business and Digital marketing (VIÐ195F)

The digital environment is radically changing the possibilities of marketing communication and how business is conducted. Digital technology has opened countless possibilities in marketing, business implementation has undergone tremendous changes and significant innovation and business model development has taken place.

The course will cover the development and impact of digital technology on  marketing measures and business practices, how digital technology can be used to support other ways of marketing and how it will shape future marketing policies within a global environment. Special emphasis is placed on new opportunities in direct marketing and to increase customer loyalty. Furthermore, the opportunities offered by digital technology to improve work processes as well as to increase efficiency and effectiveness in operations are discussed.

strategy, value chain impact, digital marketing, business relationship management, customer experience, service design and business transformation will be discussed.

Students will gain an understanding of the role and importance of digital marketing in various type of operations, such as private companies, public activities, and voluntary organizations. The course will furthermore cover contemporary issues such as security, website design, globalization, analysis of return on investment and changing consumer lifestyles.

Great emphasis is placed on active participation of students in the course. This is not a technical course, but the emphasis is on students gaining insight into choosing the most suitable digital technology and media to increase competitiveness.

The Cold War: Art, culture and literature (HMM703F)

The course explores the relationship between political and aesthetic discourse in Iceland during the era of the cultural Cold War, a global ideological struggle waged by the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, for the hearts and minds of populations around the world in the latter half of the 20th century. The course draws on interdisciplinary research on the Cold War, with a focus on the interplay between global influences and local conditions. This glocal approach allows for an examination of Icelandic agents in the Cold War not only as representatives of the two empires, the United States and the Soviet Union, but also based on their own cultural values and interests. A mixed methodology will be employed, incorporating theories and methods from the social sciences, as well as from art history, literary studies, and historiography. Special emphasis will be placed on the analysis of literary texts and artworks, while attention will also be given to the participation of Icelandic intellectuals and artists in international cultural activities. Students will explore how the Cold War has been addressed in recent years, both in academic contexts and in public dissemination through exhibitions, podcasts, and graphic novels.

Internship (HMM013F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Internship (HMM014F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Radio production and podcasting (HMM235F)

The course is run in cooperation with the state radio station: RÚV - Rás 1. Discussion will take place into the presentation of radio/audio material, various examples being examined. Attention will be given to the nature of audio communication and the possibilities of audio communication in the present media environment. Attention is also paid to concept development, interview techniques, recording techniques, dramaturgy and editing, accentuating sustainability and self-reliance. All students will complete a final project involving the making of radio programmes.

Final project (HMM431L)

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Theory of Creative AI: Analysing the Impact of AI on Creative Work (MFR715M)

This course explores the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and creative practices, focusing on the artistic, philosophical, ethical, and socio-cultural dimensions of AI-driven creativity. Grounded in the humanities, with emphasis on creativity studies, the course will enable students to critically assess how generative AI is reshaping traditional notions of creativity, authorship, and artistic production. Having explored key definitions of creativity itself, the course covers key issues such as the automation of creative work, the implications of AI-generated content for intellectual property and copyright, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding cultural appropriation in the digital age. Students will engage with debates on the tension between industrial AI big-data-driven systems versus small-data approaches, examining the consequences for artistic innovation and originality. Through hands-on exercises and real-world case studies, students will explore a variety of creative works, study production platforms where AI technologies are used, and gain practical experience in the application of AI for creative purposes. The course integrates modern theories of creativity with critical analysis of AI, and it will challenge students to rethink the boundaries of human and machine creativity. Course assessment will be based on creative work diaries that students will keep during the course, active participation in class, as well as an oral presentation of a short, written piece.

Striking Vikings: Vikings in modern culture, film, and video games (SAF301M)

Vikings are one of the most recognisable group of people from the past. Often seen as crazed berserker, with horned helmets, battle axes raised and ready, beautiful long hair billowing in the wind, they are thought of jumping out of longboats, running up the shore towards an unexpecting populace. This image crosses cultural barriers: Viking re-enactment societies exist in places with no actual Viking history. People proudly declare themselves Vikings as part of their identity and way of life. There is Viking metal, beers, foods, restaurants, and comic books. A further demonstration of the endurance of the Viking myth is the silver screen: The first Viking film came out in 1907 and are produced to this day. This, in turn, influences the use of Vikings in other areas, including the tourism sector, museum exhibitions, music industry, food and drink production and the video game industry.

This course introduces the various uses of Vikings in society, starting with tracing the history of the modern, popular culture Vikings back to Victorian times, all the way to Iceland during, and after the economic crash 2008-2011. Students will be shown the various uses of Vikings in the cultural sector, discussing the good, the bad and the ugly sides of the Viking imagery and its uses in the present and past. Next, they will gain an insight into Vikings in films related to the image of Iceland. This raises the question: in which films do Vikings appear, and how are they portrayed? The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Viking representations in Icelandic cinema, exploring how they have been depicted by Icelandic filmmakers as well as by international directors who have chosen to make films about and/or set in Iceland. Finally, Vikings in video games are explored, introducing how Old Norse literature migrates into gaming, and how the image of Vikings has altered and expanded within the gaming sphere.

 Learning Outcomes: Students – gain knowledge of the history of vikings as mediated through cultural artifacts and images – get a comprehensive overview of the mediation of the Viking image in the 20th century – are able to analyze and discuss the most prominent mediation practices and traditions in the 20th century – can analyze and situate historically the various mediated representations of vikings in contemporary culture.

Art and History: The formation of Artworlds (LIS709F)

In recent decades, theoretical contexts of art historiography and art criticism have been thoroughly reexamined. New theories, new data and digital technologies have led to a drastic change in research questions and approaches. Critical concepts such as intersectionality, inclusion, sustainability, social activism, and environment have led to new methodologies and different perspectives. In this course, these approaches will be discussed though reading the latest research in the field of art and cultural history. Ideas about the global artworlds and its cultural and political connections will be examined in detail, a variety of topics will be discussed and dissected in writing.

Applied folklore (ÞJÓ304M)

This course introduces the ways in which the fields and methods of folklore/ethnology are and may be put to use, how their application may help broaden and deepen public debates and positively affect society's self-understanding and self-fashioning. We discuss how folklore/ethnology may be put to use in tourism, museums, arts and various media. One area of focus is also the accessibility and uses of folklore collections. We explore, moreover, various scholarly and popular genres in which the conclusions of ethnological research (based on historical sources, interviews and other fieldwork methods) may be disseminated: exhibitions, festivals, events, articles, books, websites, radioshows or documentaries. Different means of reaching different groups of people will be discussed and moral, financial and political issues will be addressed.

The course will partly be taught in intensive workshops, 3 days at the beginning of the semester in Reykjavík and 4 days during project week in Hólmavík in the Westfjords. Students will work on projects in applied ethnology/public folklore. There will be no final exam.

Introduction to quantitative research (FMÞ001F)

The main subject of the course is quantitative methods and statistics used in social sciences. The focus will be on research design, sample methods and designing questionnaires. The statistical part will cover descriptive and inferential statistics. Special emphasis will be on factorial ANOVA and multiple regression. Students will get practical training in data analysis using jamovi. Students can use their own data.

Introduction to Qualitative Research (FMÞ103F)

The course’s objective is to introduce students to the diverse, academic criteria of qualitative research in social sciences and secondly that student’s gain experience in using qualitative methods. Furthermore, the course is practical in nature where each student works on an independent research assignment, which consists of designing and preparing a research project, collecting and analyzing data, and writing the main findings with guidance from the teacher. Research preparation, the creation of a research plan, data collection and analysis along with academic writing will be extensively covered during the course.

Writing and Editing (ÍSL101F)

Training in various aspects of the writing and editing of scientific texts. Various kinds of texts (non-fiction) examined and evaluated. Training in reviewing and commenting on scientific texts and in other aspects of editorial work. The main emphasis will be on the writing of articles, but other kinds of texts will also be considered, both shorter (conference abstracts, reviews) and longer (theses, books), as well as research proposals. Discussion of guidelines for the preparation of manuscripts. Types of plagiarism and how to avoid them and find them. Texts on different subjects will be used as examples, especially writings in linguistics, literature and history. The book Skrifaðu bæði skýrt og rétt will be used as a textbook (Höskuldur Þráinsson 2015).

This course is open to students of many MA programmes in the School of Humanities, cf. the regulations of the individual subjects. Students in the MA programmes in Icelandic literature, Icelandic linguistics, Icelandic studies and Icelandic teaching can take the course as part of the MA course requirements in Icelandic literature or Icelandic linguistics. Students in the MA programme in Icelandic teaching can, however, not have this course as the only linguistics or literature course in their MA.

Communication channels II. Oral presentations, exhibitions, digital communication (HMM242F)

In the course Communication channels II during the spring semester the students work with the following communication methods: a) oral presentation and b) exhibitions of cultural and historical material. Digital communication will be integrated into both aspects.

The students will work with the basics of oral presentation and practice in smaller and larger groups. Basic issues regarding the organization of conferences and seminars and their management will also be reviewed and a conference is held where all students present their projects. Digital communication will also be integrated into this section. Following is a section about exhibitions with connection to digital communication. The basics of exhibitions and different ways of presentation will be discussed.  The basics of digital communication will be covered, what are the main channels, advantages and disadvantages, and what rules apply to the presentation of texts on the web.

There are no exams in the course. Instead, students work on projects, individual and group projects. They are the following:

1. Lecture at a conference and other projects in that context
2. Exhibition analysis and a practical project in connection with exhibitions organized by the City History Museum (Borgarsögusafn)
3. Digital communication will be integrated into both aspects. Emphasis is placed on common themes and group work in the course.

The course is not taught remotely.

Cultural and Digital Innovation (HMM241F)

The course explores diverse manifestations of cultural innovation within the fields of culture and mediation, with a special emphasis on the impact and potential of digital technologies. Attention is given to the management and operation of organizations working in the cultural and creative sectors, and to how innovation can support cultural value, sustainability, and the development of new modes of mediation.

Students are introduced to key theories and methods related to cultural management, creative thinking, and entrepreneurship in cultural contexts. The course examines the interrelations between culture, economy, and technology, and how cultural innovation can foster participation, new business models, and emerging forms of cultural communication and experience.

Vernacular Culture and the Aesthetics of Everyday Life (ÞJÓ212F)

The course examines the folkloristic/ethnological perspective on culture and society with an emphasis on everyday life - the prose of the world. The history of the discipline is engaged with in a critical fashion in the context of neighboring fields and together students and teacher will examine where the field is headed in the 21st century. Central concepts will be investigated, including cultural difference and diversity, nationality, gender, the popular, tradition, group, authorship, globalization, pluralism, the eleventh hour, hegemony, heritage, and cultural ownership.

The goal is to understand how people create their everyday lives and how they invest their daily environs with meaning, how people make their own history under circumstances not of their own choosing, whether in the peasant society of previous centuries or in contemporary urban society. This course is for graduate students, but it is also open to advanced undergraduates in their last year of study.

Art Criticism and Curation (LIS805F)

The course lays the foundation for the active work of curators for practical work in the field of art and museums. We work in an interdisciplinary and critical way with concepts and theories that relate to the work of curators in the field of contemporary art. Students work in teams and set up an exhibition in collaboration with art students or artists. Students will apply knowledge and methods to practical issues, work on preparation, design, text writing and preparation of promotional material in connection with an exhibition. The course is partly run in collaboration with the Master's program in art at the University of Iceland, and students will have the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Iceland Art Museum and other recognised art museums.

Public Management (OSS202F)

The course reviews the literature on organizational theory and behavior with an emphasis on its application in the public sector. The course includes discussion on leadership, organizational culture, teamwork, organizational structure and change, decision making processes, strategic planning and performance management systems.

Dwellings, Disneylands and Deserts: Ethnology of Place (ÞJÓ446M)

The objective of the course is to explore how people relate to places in different ways. A variety of places - from private homes to airports, from city-centres to wastelands, form summer resorts to places of worship - will be explored in terms of affect and meaning, accumulated by passing though and dwelling as well as socio-political constructions. What creates and maintains place attachment? How do people relate differently to a place of their youth and place of destination? What constitutes a sense of belonging to a place? How do refugees, migrant workers and other migrants relate to new places and new landscapes and how do they maintain or sever ties to their place of origin. What role does experience, affect, memory, aesthetics, identification and sense of history play in who can claim a place and how? How do social structures, political objectives and conceptual understandings of place condition the meaning and sense of place for individuals and communities?

Internship (HMM014F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Internship (HMM013F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Creative Documentary (HMM220F)

The basic types of documentaries will be discussed as well as methods of documentary making, editing and cinematography. Emphasis will be put on practical projects and students will be required to make at least one documentary during the course.

Culture and Cultural Communication (HMM240F)

The course critically engages with the concept of culture, addressing predominant conceptualizations while simultaneously exploring the role, conditions and influence of culture in the present. The objective is to generate a disciplined discussion on cultural heritage, cultural politics and policy, and cultural sustainability in conjunction with questions on the practicality of presenting and communicating expressions of culture. Attention is paid to the relationship between the cultural field and other social, political and economic aspects of society and how these enable and limit the communication and dissemination of cultural resources. Questions on how cultural heritage, traditions, collective memory, ideas on authenticity and identity generate the formation and reproduction of cultural constellations are dealt with as well as how conceptualizations such as ‘cultural capital’, ‘cultural hegemony’ and ‘authorized discourse on heritage’ can be employed to understand and analyze manifestations of culture.

Final project (HMM431L)

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Art Criticism and Curation (LIS805F)

The course lays the foundation for the active work of curators for practical work in the field of art and museums. We work in an interdisciplinary and critical way with concepts and theories that relate to the work of curators in the field of contemporary art. Students work in teams and set up an exhibition in collaboration with art students or artists. Students will apply knowledge and methods to practical issues, work on preparation, design, text writing and preparation of promotional material in connection with an exhibition. The course is partly run in collaboration with the Master's program in art at the University of Iceland, and students will have the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Iceland Art Museum and other recognised art museums.

Professional works: Case study analysis (SAF011F)

This course examines professionalism, using case studies from museum work in Iceland, from a broad, interdisciplinary theoretical perspectives and debates. This course should therefore appeal to students from a variety of disciplines, including museology, archaeology, art studies, cultural studies, anthropology and folklore. The case studies are related to the variable works of museums, including management, organisation, collection, conservation, research and communication.

Furthermore, methods of assessment will be considered, both from the angle of the museum visitor as well as self-appraisals of the museums themselves (approaches to - and processing of information). The subject of the case studies are variable, including administration, gender considerations, accessibility, conservation of archaeological artefacts, research into visual cultural heritage, freedom of expression, housing and building affairs, gifts to museums and more.

In this course, experts and specialists (from Iceland and abroad), working in museum sector will give talks, sharing their knowledge and their experience. Students will choose one day over the semester, for a one day career day at a museum in Reykjavík, where a member of staff will tell them about the museum‘s main activities and demonstrate basic entry input in their electronic database. Students will work with the staff for the remainder of the day.

The course is taught distance learning, with short, online lectures by teachers and guest-lecturers. It also includes three full day on-campus (or Zoom, should that be needed) lecture days, where students will visit museums around Reykjavík and listen to lectures from a variety of people. Attendance is required during the three day on-campus and Zoom days.

Final grade is based on completing written assignments during the semester, attendance for full-day on-campus/zoom days and the career day.

Introduction into Curating (SAF019F)

Curating is a fast growing discipline within various types of museums, like art museums, natural history museums and cultural history museums. In this course different approches to curating, exhibition making and exhibition design in such museums will be examined from critical perspectives, with emphasis on management, different narrative strategies, scripting and mediation. Past and present exhibitions of art museums, natural history museums and cultural history museums, in Iceland and abroad, will be critically addressed and analyzed.

The Art Object: Life and Material (LIS808M)

Interdisciplinary reseach on material culture has expanded considerably in the last decades. Although art historians have, in some sense, always studied materiality, material culture, collecting and provenance, art history as a field has had limited part in academic discourse within material culture studies on human relationships to objects. In this course students are afforded a valuable opportunity to consider deeply art objects and their „lives“ within and outside of institutions: their manufacture, use, exchange, exhibition, conservation, classification and definition, as well as the values and ideas attached to them. Each week students are presented with one object  of study and receive training in various methods of researching, analyzing and interpreting art, through visual analysis, analysis of the material and make of objects, their categorization within the classification systems of museums and examination of provenance and exhibition history. Alongside this students will be introduced to theories of material culture studies and their intersection with the subjects and theories art history, such as insititutional critique and provenance. The course is run in collaboration with museums in the capital region of Iceland and is suitable for students of art history, visual art, history, archaeology, folkloristics and museum studies.

Gender Trouble in the Arts (LIS429M)

This course explores artworks in the context of gender and discusses the theoretical basis of gender studies and its trans-disciplinary nature. It seeks to explore how ideas on gender influence artistic practice and discussion and writing on the fine arts. The representations and meanings of gender in language, society and culture are also analyzed with an emphasis on stereotypes and/or their deconstruction in the positions artists take in their work. The approach taken by feminists and queer theory is used to explore the role of gender in the works of artists who bend stereotypical images of femininity and masculinity and create upheaval in the dominant discourse and gender systems of the Western world. Studies on gender inequality and its diverse representations in the contemporary art world are introduced and discussed.

Visual Methodologies (FMÞ001M)

The objective of this course is to gain methodological knowledge, understanding and practical skills to analyze images and visual data (photographs, films, drawings, advertisements, online media, etc.). We will discuss various methods of analysis of the visual content, consider visual databases and how to work with them. Students receive practical training in visual methodological studies and how to evaluate them. The course is based on practical assignments, where students prepare and design research proposals, collect data and how to analyze. The course is interdisciplinary and is suitable for students of humanities and social sciences, and other related fields.

Internship (HMM013F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Internship (HMM014F)

Internships on institutions/ organization, are available for students in Applied Studies of Culture and Communications. Students who wish to go on an internship are to contact the supervisor of the study program about the possibility of an internship. It should be noted that there is a limited supply of internships.

Final project (HMM431L)

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