Journalism and Society: Central Europe and Beyond

The course offers an interpretation of mass media and their real - as well as desired or feared - role in society, with a focus on media in Europe and the Czech Republic.  The participants will get a survey of theoretical and normative perspectives on the relationship between media and their content on one hand and society and individuals on the other hand. The focus will be on what enables people to relate so many expectations, fears and prejudices to the media and their performance. Specifically, we will discuss (1) the typology of media as communication means, organizations and institutions, (2) media products, (3) types of audiences, (4) the (possible and probable) media effects, as well as positive or negative expectations and (5) the specific role of media in various cultures (with an indepth insight in Czech society).

The course requires only some knowledge of sociology and communication science on an introductory level,  some basic knowledge of world (American and European) history and of American and European literature. The course also requires some interest in popular culture.