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Lehrende: Prof. Dr. Irene Neverla
Veranstaltungsart:
Projektseminar
Anzeige im Stundenplan:
MeCoDem
Semesterwochenstunden:
3
Credits:
8,0
Unterrichtssprache:
Englisch
Min. | Max. Teilnehmerzahl:
5 | 12
Kommentare/ Inhalte:
The course investigates the role of traditional and social media in conflicts that accompany and follow transitions to democracy (and transitions within democratic societies). Media cannot be seen as isolated institutions but as one among multiple components in public spheres. Other components in public spheres are governmental institutions, military, civil society, economic and cultural stakeholders etc. All components have gone through particular historical developments which are specific to each country. Accordingly, the impact of these different developments is that ‚democratization’ may have very different qualities.
Democracy is widely seen as a form of government and participatory citizenship that promotes the peaceful negotiation of antagonistic interests and tolerance towards divergent worldviews, identities and beliefs. However, the experience of many transitional societies shows that this is not always the case. In a significant number of countries the introduction of democratic politics has even exacerbated existing divisions, while the re-configuration of power generates its own conflicts between the winners and losers of the regime change. In many of these conflicts the media – both traditional and new – have played a pivotal role. Also, in societies that have been considered to have old and stable democratic traditions, we observe that democracy is "under fire", and so are the media. With other words: Democratization is a never ending process, with media and social media playing pivotal roles. In this course we will investigate the interplay between journalism and the democratization process in various countries, under various cirumstances.
Lernziel:
We will investigate four main research questions: a) What do we mean with the terms 'democratization' and 'democratization conflicts'? b) What is the role of journalism in democratization conflicts, normative and empirically? c) What is the role of social media in democratization conflicdts, and how do they interact with journalism? d) How can journalism relate not only to obvious events, but to deeper conflict structures?
At the end of the seminar, students should have knowledge and understanding about processes and interactions between media and democracy in conflict. Furthermore, students will gain a thorough understanding of theoretical approaches to study conflict coverage, the diffusion of conflict messages and communication strategies of participants in a conflict. Students will be able to apply this knowledge in their academic work (e. g. the project developed in this course).
Vorgehen:
In this course students are asked to develop and carry through their own (small) research project related to the overall framework of Media, Conflict and Democratization (MeCoDem). The suggestion is to use a case-based approach.
In this course you will have the chance - step by step - to develop your own research and written work, with the support of your instructor and peer-reviewed comments. Basically you will develop your research in working groups. In a first step, you are asked to develop questions for your own case study with first ideas on the research design (Paper 1, not graded). This paper will undergo peer-review and review by the instructor. Based on these reviews, the working groups will further develop the research question and an adequate research design (paper 2) and implement it in order to arrive at first results which will be presented at the end of the course (paper 3).
The seminar takes place via zoom and WisoCommsy.
Platform for synchronous sessions and consultations will be Zoom. Literature and readings (at least most of the texts) will be available via the UHH-learning platform WisoCommsy under the name "Mundus Mecodem 2020". You will also be able (and be obliged) to upload your assignments on WisoCommsy.
Links will be made available to you at the outset of the seminar.
Literatur:
Voltmer, K. et al (eds.): (2019): Media, Communication and the Struggle for Democratic Change. Case Studies on Contested Transitions. London: Palgrave Macmillan.
More literature will be given in wisocommsy and in the first session of this class.
Zusätzliche Hinweise zu Prüfungen:
1) Reading diaries on two texts on presentation topics - Choose any topic out of topics A-J.
Due date: The day, when the presentation on the topic is due. Meaning, the final date will be Dec. 2ndth 2020.
Not graded.
2) Presentation and handout based on set literature on a specific topic, somewhen in November. Topic and date will be determined in the first session. This topic is not identical with your research topic. A draft of the handout is due a week before the presentation (email to the instructor).
10% of the overall grade.
3) Paper 1: Project outline, first draft, sketch first ideas and research fields.
Due date: Nov 4th, 2020.
Not graded.
4) Peer review of two others' paper 1.
Due date: Nov 11, 2020.
Not graded.
5) Paper 2: Project outline - extended version.
Paper 2 includes your research questions, theoretical background, literatur review, and a first draft of your empirical study.
Due Date: Dec12th, 2020
30% of the overall grade.
6) Peer review of two others' paper 2.
Due date: Dec 16th, 2020.
Not graded.
7) Presentation of your research work.
Due date: Jan 27th, 2021
20% of the overall grade.
8) Paper 3: Final version of your research, including the empirical study:
Due date: Feb 26, 2021
40% of the overall grade.
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