Delivered at:: Department of Foreign Languages

Course type:: Compulsory course

When:: 1 year, 3, 4 module

Instructors

Molodychenko, Evgeni N.

Tsarapkina, Tatiana

Full Syllabus

Abstract

Students in higher education engage with the world of media while doing various projects in a variety of disciplines. Yet, modern media has been heavily criticized for misinforming, manipulating the truth, escalating social issues and serving the agenda of the powerful. One rarely knows how/why/with what consequences communication happens in the contemporary digital space. How can we read the news — and discern fake information from trustworthy? How can we powerfully engage in a meaningful and fair conversation in digital media? The course develops students’ ability to critically consume information and to powerfully engage in a conversation by using rhetoric, argumentation, and theories behind communication behavior in the society. Students will learn how to ‘read’ news and information as well as how to produce news and information which has a strong impact. The language of instruction is English.

Learning Objectives

This course is designed to develop students’ knowledge of how media information is produced and consumed. The course will give an overview of various media phenomena that may influence our view of the world (e.g. agenda setting, misinformation, manipulative techniques, etc.) — and provide a better understanding of factors driving our trust in information. The ultimate goal of the course is to help students critically assess information in the digital environment and spot their own biases in media consumption. During this course students will learn not only to apply analytical and critical skills while consuming online media, but also to proactively use rhetoric and argumentation in a public discussion.

Expected Learning Outcomes

to understand the process of media production and its influence on society
to discriminate between quality journalism and adverse media practices;
to understand personal and group biases in media consumption;
to spot manipulative and misinforming content;
to assess and adjust personal media consumption habits;
to understand the power of language and wording in media discourse production;
to distinguish what counts as argument and analyze the argumentation techniques used in the media
to build strong arguments in public discussions.

Course Contents

1. Introduction to media literacy and the history of the discipline
2. Media Effects and Media Diet
3. Media, Mediation, and Mediatization
4. News and News Production
5. Biases in the Media
6. Biases in Media Consumption
7. Quality Content vs 'Problematic' Content
8. Media Discourse

Assessment Elements

Continual Assessment
Students are expected to demonstrate their command of the main concepts of the course by completing a number graded assignments weighing at 60% of the final grade. The assessments comprise: ● 8 quizzes/tests (weighing at 3% max each, 24% of the final grade total) ● 12 home assignments / projects / classroom assignments (weighing at 3% max each, 36% of the final grade total)
Examination (Final Project)
For the final assignment students need to search for and analyze their own case related to one of the course topics. The projects are completed in teams of 3-5 students (exceptions can be made at special requests). Format: pre-recorded video followed by its presentation in class (~ 15 min)

Interim Assessment

2023/2024 4th module
0.6 * Continual Assessment + 0.4 * Examination (Final Project)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Bruns, A. (2018). Gatewatching and news curation: Journalism, social media, and the public sphere. Australia, Australia/Oceania: Peter Lang. https://doi.org/10.3726/b13293
Чиронова, И. И. Английский язык для журналистов (B1-B2). Mastering English for Journalism : учебник для вузов / И. И. Чиронова, Е. В. Кузьмина. — Москва : Издательство Юрайт, 2023. — 471 с. — (Высшее образование). — ISBN 978-5-534-10056-3. — Текст : электронный // Образовательная платформа Юрайт [сайт]. — URL: https://urait.ru/bcode/511078 (дата обращения: 28.08.2023).

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Lewandowsky, S., Ecker, U. K. H., & Cook, J. (2017). Beyond Misinformation:Understanding and Coping with the “Post-Truth” Era. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmac.2017.07.008

Bachelor’s Programme 'Political Science and World Politics'

Contacts

International Accreditation

Communications and Media Competencies