BSS460 Propaganda

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2011
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 7 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Anna Shavit, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. PhDr. Miroslav Mareš, Ph.D.
Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:40 U41
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
In the end of the course student will be able to understand the development, history and applications of propaganda in different historical periods. This will enable the student to gain a detailed and comprehensive awareness of how propaganda has permeated the political and daily life. Student will be able to analyze the discipline from theoretical, historical and practical approach. Practical approach means to analyze the contemporary propaganda techniques on the example of information wars. Students will be required to use critical thinking skills in order to evaluate propaganda examples throughout the class sessions. The course is taught in English.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introductory session, the course objectives, literature 2. The Art of Propaganda – Theory and Practices (theoretical framework), Persuasion vs. Propaganda, the techniques – external and internal factors, the content, distribution channels, framing, timing. The motivation, emotion, the message balance etc. 3. Public Relations vs. Propaganda, usage and applications 4. Soviet Propaganda: Russia in 1917 - the Rise of Communism (historical overview, key concepts and techniques) 5. The Role of Art - Soviet movies (main techniques and methods, the way how art was used) discussion 6. Nazi Propaganda – Goebbles as Propagandist (the mechanism of Nazi propaganda) 7. The Role of Art - Nazi movies (main techniques and methods, the way how art was used) , discussion 8. Cold War - targeting the enemy 9. Czechoslovakia the Normalization phase - (TV show Major Zeman, the role of pop music - Pragokoncert, The Festival of Political Song, Spartakiada) 10. War on Terror – new threats and information wars
Literature
  • PRATKANIS, Anthony R. and Elliot ARONSON. Age of propaganda : the everyday use and abuse of persuasion. 1st Holt pbk. ed. New York: Holt, 2007, xv, 416. ISBN 9780805074031. info
  • O'SHAUGHNESSY, Nicholas J. Politics and propaganda : weapons of mass seduction. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2004, vii, 264. ISBN 0719068533. info
  • JOHNSON-CARTEE, Karen S. and Gary COPELAND. Strategic political communication : rethinking social influence, persuasion, and propaganda. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2004, ix, 231. ISBN 0742528820. info
Teaching methods
theoretical preparation (students will be required to keep up with the required readings), class attendance, lectures (presentations by professionals, documentary movies), class discussion, group project
Assessment methods
final group presentations (40 points) and written exam (60 points). The exam consists of 10 questions (5 questions for 2 points, 5 explanatory questions for 10 points). Altogether student can get 100 points, to pass 59 points is needed
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2011, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2011/BSS460