Магистратура 2021/2022

Медиа и политика

Статус: Курс обязательный (Медиапроизводство и медиааналитика)

Направление: 42.04.05. Медиакоммуникации

Кто читает: Департамент иностранных языков

Где читается: Санкт-Петербургская школа гуманитарных наук и искусств

Когда читается: 1-й курс, 4 модуль

Формат изучения: без онлайн-курса

Охват аудитории: для своего кампуса

Преподаватели: Брянов Кирилл Александрович

Прогр. обучения: Медиапроизводство и медиааналитика

Язык: английский

Кредиты: 7

Контактные часы: 48

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course will engage students in an interdisciplinary set of readings and practically oriented discussions around the role of media – traditional and digital alike – in the processes of public deliberation, policy formation, and distribution of political power. The goal of this course is to offer students an overview of the major questions and debates that exist in political communication and media studies with regard to the political function of media institutions and emergent media practices. While the theoretical component of the class focuses on established theories of media and politics that emerged within the Western intellectual tradition, seminars are geared toward discussing the applicability of these conceptual frameworks (or lack thereof) to the Russian context. Furthermore, students will explore the relevant affordances of key media platforms available to today’s political practitioners and try their hand at crafting political strategies and messages.

Learning Objectives

• The goal of this course is twofold. On the conceptual level, it is designed to introduce students to the most influential theories of the past two decades looking at media as a political institution and politics as increasingly mediated. On the practical level, the goal is to familiarize students with real-life communication tools and strategies, as well as the ways in which political actors put them to work.

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Apply political communication theories to the analysis of politics
• Craft their own campaign messages and political communication strategies
• Recognize the role of media institutions and mediated practices in political processes;
• Understand political actors’ strategies in various media environments

Course Contents

• Lecture 1. Media as a political institution
• Lecture 2. Media system as an extension of the political system. Comparative media systems.
• Lecture 3. Political economy of the media and digital platforms. The attention economy.
• Lecture 4. Political news and polarization. The affective and identity aspects of political news.
• Lecture 5. Media effects theory. Framing, agenda setting, and beyond.
• Lecture 6. Theories of public opinion formation.
• Lecture 7. Digitalization of political communication. State actors and social movements online.
• Lecture 8. Political campaigning in hybrid media environments.

Assessment Elements

• In-class contributionпs
  Students are expected to participate in seminar discussions and constructively engage with their peers and the instructor. Performing well on this component will require demonstrating familiarity with the assigned readings and critical reflection on the issues raised in the class. Seminars will be discussion-based, so there will be ample opportunity for students to contribute.
• Examination
  Students will complete a final project, which can be done in groups of up to four. The goal is to create a political campaign plan, specifying the type of election their candidate is to participate in and including a narrative of candidate bio, main campaign message, visual content, target media channels, and audience description. At the final class meeting, students will present their work to the rest of the class. This work can be collaborative, but each student must participate in presentation of their group’s final project. The project should showcase the students’ newly acquired knowledge of media effects, political news landscape, and political communication techniques.
• Individual report
  Each student will present a report relevant to one of the lecture topics. You will make a 15-minute presentation describing a case of a political message or campaign. The report should demonstrate the student’s proficiency with political communication concepts and techniques acquired in class.
• Book Review
  Each student will select one of the books required for this class and write a review of 600 to 800 words. The book review should not merely summarize the book’s arguments but present the student’s critical evaluation of its content.

Interim Assessment

• 2021/2022 4th module
  0.15 * Individual report + 0.35 * Examination + 0.25 * In-class contributionпs + 0.25 * Book Review

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Comparing media systems : three models of media and politics, Hallin, D. C., 2004

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• The logic of connective action : Digital media and the personalization of contentious politics. (2012). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.EA6634C5