Introduction to Alternative Media

2019/2020

Учебный год

ENG

Обучение ведется на английском языке

3

Кредиты

Кто читает:

Институт медиа

Статус:

Курс обязательный

Когда читается:

1-й курс, 1 модуль

Преподаватель

Николов Алексей Львович

Course Syllabus

Abstract

The pivotal idea of this course is mastering the skill of spotting the facts and ideas that are widely available but which most people miss, and analyzing them in an independent and unbiased manner. This s a skill which would be helpful for just any professional, but it is of special importance for a news journalist in the Web 2.0 era. The course is designed for both native and non-native English speakers

Learning Objectives

• The students will get training in spotting and debunking stereotypes and clichés that exist, mostly unwitnessed, both in published news and in everyday life

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Be able to tell the mainstream approach to news from an alternative one
• Be able to apply critical approach to various types and formats of information they receive

Course Contents

• What’s “mainstream” news and how it is different from “alternative”
• Why and how the mankind has come to the concept of paying for information
• How did the formats of delivering the information to mass consumer evolve over the centuries
• The key difference between “the old news” and “the new news” – a 24/7 vs 86400/7 concept
• How often do we come across clichés, stereotypes and shibboleths in our everyday lives – and how to spot them
• Methods used by mass media to influence our perception of the news they report
• How technics aimed at influencing perception and manipulating people’s minds, like gazlighting, are used to influence the news consumer
• The difference between “not a lie” and “the truth”
• Brief history and concept of licensing, compliance and censorship
• Examples of various alternative authors and news outlets

Assessment Elements

• Attendance
• Involvement and interim tasks
• Final work

Interim Assessment

• Interim assessment (1 module)
  0.25 * Attendance + 0.5 * Final work + 0.25 * Involvement and interim tasks

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

• Atkinson, J. D., & Kenix, L. J. (2019). Alternative Media Meets Mainstream Politics : Activist Nation Rising. Lanham, Maryland: Lexington Books. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=2138877
• Atton, C. (2002). Alternative Media. London: SAGE Publications Ltd. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=268597
• Bailey, O. G., Cammaert, B., & Carpentier, N. (2008). Understanding Alternative Media. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=234290

Recommended Additional Bibliography

• Horne, B. D., Norregaard, J., & Adali, S. (2019). Different Spirals of Sameness: A Study of Content Sharing in Mainstream and Alternative Media. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsarx&AN=edsarx.1904.01534