BSS460 Information Warfare and Propaganda

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2019
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 7 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Otto Eibl, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Miloš Gregor, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. et Mgr. Petra Mlejnková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jonáš Syrovátka (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Petra Mlejnková, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Security and Strategic Studies – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 16:00–17:40 exP52
Prerequisites (in Czech)
TYP_STUDIA(N)
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
The goal of the course is to introduce students to the study of propaganda and information warfare. The course focuses on development, history and applications information warfare` tools in different historical periods. The aim of the course is to provide students a detailed and comprehensive awareness of how information warfare and propaganda has permeated the political and daily life. Students will focus on historical examples (Nazi Germany, rise of communism in USSR, or Cold War) and contemporary usage of information warfare (Russia, US, Islamist fundamentalism, North Korea). Students will also learn how to analyze propaganda techniques and they will be encouraged to use critical thinking skills.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students will be able to: - Understand what propaganda is. - Know what tools and means propaganda uses. - Evaluate and analyze propaganda messages
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction 2. Theories of propaganda, persuation, and information warfare I. 3. Theories of propaganda, persuation, and information warfare II. 4. Theories of propaganda, persuation, and information warfare III. 5. Historical examples: Nazi Propaganda 6. Historical examples: Soviet Propaganda (Russia in 1917) 7. Historical examples: Soviet vs. US Propaganda during Cold War 8. Reading week 9. Contemporary US information warfare 10. Contemporary Russian information warfare 11. Islam, Fundamentalism and Propaganda 12. North Korea, China and Propaganda 13. Final test
Literature
  • Jowett, G.; O’Donnell, V. (2006): Propaganda and Persuasion. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
  • Pratkanis, A., Aronson, E. (2007): Age of Propaganda. New York: Henry Holt.
  • Bernays, E. (2005): Propaganda. New York: IG Publishing.
  • O`Shaughnessy, N. J. (2004): Politics and Propaganda. Weapons of Mass Seduction. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
  • Welch, D. (1995): The Third Reich. Politics and Propaganda. New York: Routledge.
  • Smoleňová, I. (2015): The pro-Russian Disinformation Campaign in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Prague: PSSI. (http://www.pssi.cz/download/docs/253_is-pro-russian-campaign.pdf)
Teaching methods
Teaching methods consist of lectures, class discussions and presentations. Students are obligated to prepare presentation of propaganda example (movie, literature, music etc.), which will be delivered in the class. The course is concluded by written exam.
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
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2019/BSS460