PMCb1127 Visual Satire in the Media: Analysing Political Cartoons and Memes

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Khin-Wee Chen, PhD. (lecturer)
Mgr. Martina Paulenová (lecturer)
Mgr. Iveta Jansová, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Iveta Jansová, Ph.D.
Department of Media Studies and Journalism – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Vlastimil Havlík, Ph.D.
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 25 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/25, only registered: 0/25, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/25
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 47 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Uncover the power of satire in the world of media and communication with our dynamic course, "Visual Satire in the Media: Analyzing Political Cartoons and Memes." This transformative academic journey will illuminate the historical, cultural, and contemporary significance of satire, political cartoons, and memes within the context of media and communication. Beneath the seemingly frivolous and entertaining facade, satire plays a pivotal role in shaping not only politics but also our daily lives. This hands-on course offers an engaging exploration of these visual forms of media, empowering students to critically analyze and appreciate the art of persuasion through humour. Prepare for an eye-opening and entertaining journey into the world of satire, political cartoons, and memes, and discover how they have a profound impact on our world. Join us for an experience that combines academic rigor with interactive enjoyment.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this media studies course, students will: • Develop a deep and nuanced understanding of the evolution of political cartoons and memes, encompassing their cultural, political impact, and historical context. • Acquire essential critical analysis skills to dissect the visual and textual components of political cartoons and memes, identifying and recognizing their use of symbolism, metaphor, and rhetorical techniques. • Explore the profound influence of political cartoons and memes on public opinion, policy decisions, and political campaigns through the examination of real-world case studies. Simultaneously, they will enhance their media literacy by identifying hidden meanings, biases, and persuasive techniques within these media forms. • Recognize the power of political humour, satire, and irony in effectively conveying complex political messages, while evaluating the impact of political cartoons and memes on public opinion, policy-making, and political campaigns through real-world case studies. Additionally, they will examine the role of digital and social media in the creation, dissemination, and virality of political cartoons and memes.
Syllabus
  • 19 February Welcome to the course (add/drop week) Syllabus 26 February Introduction to Visual Satire in Media Definitions of political cartoons, satire, and humour The purpose of political cartoons and satire Exploring the persuasive power of satire using Aristotle's ethos, logos, pathos, and humour theories 4 March Theories of Humour in Satire Understanding the theories of humour (relief, incongruity, superiority) Applying humour theories to political cartoons and memes Analyzing the elements that make satire funny 11 March Tracing the History of Visual Satire The historical evolution of visual satire through the ages Notable milestones in the development of satirical art The influence of visual satire in different time periods The peak of visual satire in the penny press era Significance of "The Yellow Kid" in political cartoons Analyzing historical political cartoons in newspapers 18 March Transition to the Internet Meme The emergence of the internet meme as a remediated form of political cartoon Comparing similarities and differences between cartoons and memes Understanding how memes carry on the tradition of visual satire. 25 March History of Memes and Virality The origins of internet memes and their cultural impact Virality and the rapid spread of memes on social media Case studies of memes that achieved worldwide recognition. 1 April Easter Monday 8 April Semiotics for Analyzing Cartoons and Memes Introduction to semiotics and its application in media analysis Analysing the visual and textual elements of political cartoons and memes Uncovering concealed meanings, biases, and persuasive techniques 15 April Influence on Public Opinion and Policy Understanding the influence of satire on public opinion Case studies of cartoons and memes affecting policy decisions Role of satire in shaping political campaigns Unmasking concealed meanings in political cartoons and memes Identifying biases and persuasive techniques in satirical content Enhancing media literacy and critical thinking 22 April The Power of Political Humour and Satire Exploring the effectiveness of humour in conveying complex political messages Evaluating satire's impact on public opinion and policy Real-world case studies of successful political humour 29 April Digital and Social Media in Satire The role of digital and social media in the creation, dissemination, and virality of political cartoons and memes Analysing memes' impact on contemporary political discourse Presentations on memes and cartoons in the digital age 6 May Controversial Political Humor Examining the role of controversial humor in political satire Analysing the ethical considerations of satire Discussing the boundaries of free speech and satire in the context of political cartoons and memes Case studies of controversial political humour and its consequences 13 May Final Projects and Wrap-up Students present their research projects on significant satirical works. Class discussion and reflection on the course content, including the exploration of controversial political humour and its impact.
Teaching methods
This course is structured to encompass a dynamic blend of lectures, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities carefully crafted to immerse students in practical research and analytical endeavors. Throughout the course, students will not only acquire theoretical knowledge but will actively engage in applying these concepts through practical exercises. Moreover, students will be tasked with presenting their individual research projects to the class, fostering the development of effective communication skills. In addition to showcasing their work, students will be guided through the constructive evaluation of their peers' contributions. This interactive and participatory approach aims to create a vibrant learning environment that nurtures both individual growth and collaborative skills.
Assessment methods
Attendance 10% To achieve full marks for attendance, students need to attend a minimum of 80% of classes. Regular attendance is crucial for active participation and a comprehensive understanding of the course material. 4 Pop Quizzes 20% (5% each) Designed to assess comprehension and mastery of theories and history covered in Weeks 1-6, these pop quizzes serve as checkpoints to ensure students are keeping up with the essential concepts discussed in the early weeks of the course. Attending consultation 5% To enhance the quality of their final project, students are required to consult with course instructors at least twice during Office Hours. This ensures personalized guidance and support in the preparation and execution of their projects. Semiotics workshop 10% This workshop focuses on the analysis of memes using semiotic theories and principles. Active participation is not only encouraged but essential for grasping the nuanced elements of meme interpretation within the context of semiotics. Peer Review of Classmates' Presentation 10% Students play an active role in the assessment process by critiquing and justifying their evaluations of their peers' final poster presentations. This peer review fosters a collaborative learning environment and provides valuable insights into different perspectives. Group Final Poster Presentation 25% For this assessment, students collaborate to create a research poster based on current political memes in their home country. This activity promotes teamwork, research skills, and the application of course concepts to real-world examples.
Language of instruction
English
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2025/PMCb1127