The text is based upon the official course description on the college homepage.
The subject of the course is the complex and changing relationship between politics and the media. Do the media simply reflect politics at the national and international level – or change politics profoundly? How are power relationships and political identities affected, within as well as across and between states? How do the media function during periods of crisis, when states collapse or are in transition, during civil wars and interstate wars or terrorist attacks?
Addressing such topics, the course is divided into three main blocks:
- Core theories and concepts of media and politics
- Comparative Political Communication
- War, terrorism and the Media
Emphasising developments during the post-cold war period, the effects of global communication networks based on internet and satellite technology are of particular interest.
What you learn
Knowledge of recent developments in media and politics, as well as relevant theories and concepts from media- and political science.Ability to develop and deliver efficient presentations on complex topics and to address challenging oral questions at short notice
Methods of teaching
- Group assignments, presentations and quizes
- Lectures, seminars, screenings and tutoring
Required knowledge
The introductory course in International Studies or other courses providing basic knowledge in social- or media science.
Mandatory assigments
Take part in a one-week group assignment to produce and deliver a presentation for the seminar on a subject from the course contents. The quality of both the group and individual contribution has to be satisfactory.
Take part in a group assignment to present the answers for a quiz on the course contents during the seminars. At least 75 % of the quiz has to be answered correctly.
Exams
Individual 45 minute oral examination in two parts at the end of the course. Both parts count equally in the grading.
The first part is a 20 minute presentation based on an assignment given a week before. The presentation will be evaluated in terms of demonstration of academic knowledge, as well as ability of effective communication of a complex material. The student is responsible for the availability and compatibility of the presentation at the start of the examinations.
The second part is a 20 minute verbal examination where the student has to answer five out of ten questions randomly picked from a set of questions covering the curriculum. The student is allowed a five minute break under supervision to choose questions and prepare answers.
It is not allowed to bring personal PCs, notes or literature into the examination.
The examinations take place over a maximum of two consecutive days. Two printed copies of the presentation are to be handed in at the student administration no later than one hour before the examinations start. No changes are allowed in the presentation after the print-outs have been handed in.
