Παρουσίαση/Προβολή

(MEDIA280) -  Nicolas Demertzis /Νίκος Δεμερτζής

Περιγραφή Μαθήματος

Seminar: Interdisciplinary issues of political culture and communication

 

Instructor: Nicolas Demertzis, Professor

Office: 113, 1 Sophocleous str. 10559 Athens- Greece

Phone: +30 210 3689414

Email: ndemert@media.uoa.gr   https://nicolasdemertzis.com/ 

Room: 102

 

Seminar overview

This seminar will explore political culture in relation to key topics in social and political communication, as well as the sociology of emotions, within the broader theoretical framework of weak social constructionism. Such topics include, for example, news framing, media events and political rituals, misinformation, 'conspiracy theories,' political emotions—among which are trust in political institutions and political personnel—cynicism, values, political competence, and political sophistication. These issues will be examined within the context of the relationship between the political and communication systems, on the one hand, and in relation to the ongoing discussion on democracy, on the other.

 

Learning outcomes

  Upon the completion of the seminar students are expected to:

1. recognize the ways social and political reality are constructed through the everyday life media discourses within the context of political culture
2. understand different conceptual bases in media and political studies
3.  apply their knowledge in current political affairs nationally and internationally
4. critically evaluate the interplay of political power, political action and media practices
5.  develop competence in carrying out independent study
6. synthesize information and cognitions from cognate courses and seminars at home or abroad  

 Content

The mainframe of the seminar is the exploration of how political cultural orientations and media practices affect one another; the axes whereupon the seminar will run through go as follows: 

• political culture and democracy (values, civic competences)
• the construction of political realities through the media
• media framing
• Political emotions and political behavior
• Conspiratorial thinking and misinformation

 Language of instruction: English

 

Structure - Teaching and learning method

The seminar is principally addressed to incoming students within the Erasmus+ program and the numerus clausus of the participants are 25 hard. The seminar will be delivered in a mixed mode way through lecturing, discussion, and presentation of participants’ assignments.  It should be taken for granted that learning is a collective and active process. Therefore, participants are expected to take the initiative and actively engage in understanding the concepts and topics of the seminar.

The life cycle of the seminar is 13 consecutive weeks starting February 19, 2025. The first nine meetings will be instructor oriented plus class discussion. During the last four meetings students will be presenting their independent study. Class participation is compulsory, and you are not allowed to be absent more than three times. Contingent upon the seminar enrolment, the assignment specifications and allocation will be communicated in class.

 

Literature

You are advised to visit the “documents” section of the University’s open e class e-learning platform.

 

Seminar Schedule[1]

Week 01: Induction into the seminar. Specifications and allocation of assignments. Political culture theory and research I.

Week 02: Political culture theory and research II. Research protocols.

Week 03:  The political sociology of emotions – political emotions and political behavior.

Week 04: Political trust, distrust, cynicism, and media cynicism.

Week 05: Misinformation and conspiratorial thinking.

Week 06: Fact Checking (theoretical tenets and research tools).

Week 07: The politics-media nexus (comparing media systems, social movements, emotions and the media). 

Week 08: The social construction of political reality (media framing, media events, political spectacle, climate change, media and emotions).

 Week 09: The backlash politics and contemporary democracy.

Week 10: Assignments: Final Presentation.

Week 11: Assignments: Final Presentation.

Week 12: Assignments: Final Presentation.

Week 13: Assignments: Final Presentation.

 

Tips for writing your assignment

Academic writing is a skill which takes time to develop since it should be accurate, balanced, structured, evidenced, and referenced. There are plenty of instructions on how to write an academic assignment. You can get some tips from the following links from the University of Staffordshire and Trinity College Dublin.

https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id=33103104

https://hub.teachingandlearning.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/15.-Developing-your-academic-writing-skills.pdf

 

Tips for the presentation of your assignment

Delivering a presentation is a skill you are required to develop.  There are different visual aids you can use to help you to present; for example, Microsoft PowerPoint is frequently chosen by students and staff.

The key to delivering a confident and professional presentation is to:

• Plan - what is the purpose of the presentation?  You need to have a clear aim and know what is expected from you.
• Prepare - know what you are going to say and how you are going to say it.  Ensure that you have researched the topic and presented the information in a logical and interesting way.
• Practice - double-check everything to ensure it meets the requirements as this will increase your confidence.
• Present - with knowledge and enthusiasm and continue to develop coping strategies to ensure nerves do not get the better of you.

You can get some extra tips on this in the following link from the  University of Staffordshire

https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/assignments/presentation

 

Academic Integrity

The academic enterprise is founded on honesty, civility, and integrity. As members of this enterprise, all students are expected to know, understand, and follow the codes of conduct regarding academic integrity. At the most basic level, this means submitting only original work done by you and acknowledging all sources of information or ideas and attributing them to others as required. This also means you should not cheat, copy, or mislead others about what your work is. Violations of academic integrity incur consequences according to the University’s Operational Rules.

 

Evaluation

The evaluation will be based on three components: a) active class participation, b) successful completion of assignments in due date and time, and c) a final oral examination.

 

 

[1] Subject to changes due to necessary pedagogical adjustments or force majeure.

 

Ημερομηνία δημιουργίας

Παρασκευή 30 Σεπτεμβρίου 2016