BSSn4460 Disinformation and Propaganda

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Miloš Gregor, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Miriam Matejova, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Miloš Gregor, 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 P21a
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.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 5/15, only registered: 1/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This course is an interactive exploration of the definitions, meanings, effects, and implications of various types of disinformation and propaganda in politics and security. The course format relies on an in-depth engagement with the literature and seminar-style discussions on the meanings and applications of manipulative techniques.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: ● Distinguish between different tools and techniques of disinformation and propaganda; ● Analyze and critically assess the prevailing debates on the uses and implications of disinformation and propaganda; ● Use theory to design viable responses to manipulative techniques.
Syllabus
  • Lying, deception, and disinformation: concepts and definitions
  • Roots and development of propaganda
  • Propaganda in the news and entertainment
  • Propaganda goes online
  • Manipulative techniques
  • Disinformation & democracy
  • Fake news & political communication
  • Hoaxes
  • Conspiracy theories
  • Counter measures
Literature
    required literature
  • Tenove, C. 2020. Protecting Democracy from Disinformation: Normative Threats and Policy Responses. The International Journal of Press/Politics, 25(3), 517-537.
  • Vosoughi, S., Roy, D., and Aral, S. 2018. The spread of true and false news online. Science, 359, 1146-1151.
  • Farhall, K., Carson, A., Wright, S., Gibbons, A., and Lukamto, W. 2019. Political Elites' Use of Fake News Discourse Across Communication Platforms. International Journal of Communication, 13, 4353-4375.
  • Parry-Giles, S. 1994. Rhetorical Experimentation and the Cold War 1947-1953: The Development of an Internationalist Approach to Propaganda. The Quarterly Journal of Speech, 80(4), 448-467.
  • Farkas, J., and J. Schou. 2018. Fake News as a Floating Signifier: Hegemony, Antagonism and the Politics of Falsehood. Javnost: The Public, 25(3), 298-314.
  • Snow, N. and P. Taylor. 2006. The Revival of the Propaganda State. US Propaganda at Home and Abroad since 9/11. The International Communication Gazette, 68(5-6), 389-407.
  • Robinson, P., D. Miller, E. Herring, and V. Bakir. 2018. Lying and Deception in Politics. The Oxford Handbook of Lying, November 15.
Teaching methods
class discussion, reading
Assessment methods
discussion participation, analytical summaries, final exam
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2023/BSSn4460