Center: 
Freiburg
Discipline(s): 
Political Science
Communications
Course code: 
PO/CM 332
Terms offered: 
Spring
Credits: 
3
Language of instruction: 
German
Instructor: 
Ulrich Eckelt
Description: 

An analysis of the nature, formation and manipulation of public opinion in a democratic society with regard to the problems of public opinion polling. A look at mass media structures in Germany and Europe and the impact of mass media on German politics, politicians and the political process. An analysis of mass communication (press, TV, film), propaganda techniques and effects in both democracies and authoritarian societies. Includes site visit to local newspaper publishing house or a local radio station.

Prerequisites: 

None

Learning outcomes: 

By the end of this course, students should be able to analyze public opinion polling critically as well and the influence of mass media on German and European political processes. Student should also be capable of making an intelligent comparison of mass media and propaganda strategies in democracies and authoritarian societies.

Method of presentation: 

Lectures, discussions, site visits, viewing of original film footage and news broadcasts

Required work and form of assessment: 

Class participation (20%), oral presentation (20%), term paper (20%), mid-term (20%) and final exam (20%). Activities during the semester include visits of media institutions in Freiburg, viewing of film propaganda, videos and print material.

content: 

I . Introduction to the course: Mass media, public opinion and propaganda
Scheduling, Themes, Literature

II. Mass media – from the beginning until to day
A. 1. Historical and technical development
2. Development in Germany
3. Use of media in Germany
B. Media networks in Germany today
1. Public media versus private media / TV and radio
2. The German print media
C. International media networks
1. Europe and the western world
2. Third world
3. Communist countries
D. The effects of the media
1. Theories to the effects of the media
2. Dangers of mass communication

III. Public Opinion
A. Public opinion
1. The formation of public opinion
2. Opinion polling
B. Mass media and public opinion
1. Formation of opinion and will
2. The effects of mass media
3. Mass media – a source for public opinion?

C. Government and public opinion
1. Does public opinion influence the course of politics in a democracy?
2. Does the political system dictate public opinion in totalitarian systems?
D. Changes of values in a society; political opinions; stereotypes; prejudices
1. Changes of values in the German youth
2. Political apathy
3. Image of Germany, image of the U.S.A.

IV. Political propaganda in the 20th century and 21st century

A. Conspiracy Theories
1. Theories, hypotheses, and ideologies of conspiracy
2. Examples from the past and present
B. Press and propaganda under national interests
1. Propaganda in World War I
2. Language and symbols of National Socialism
3. Forcing into line of mass media in the Third Reich
C. Film and Propaganda
1.  Possibilities of influence through cinema and movies
2. NS propaganda in the movies
3. US cartoons of the 30s and 40s
D. Art and propaganda
1. Art in the service to power and politics
2. Propaganda and art in the 20th century
E. From the Soviet Union over glasnost to modern Russia
1. Soviet propaganda pre-1985
2. Changes and developments during the Gorbachev era
3. Propaganda and freedom of opinion and speech in Russia today

V. Propaganda of extremists in Europe and Germany
A. Extremism and populism in Europe
1. Extremism in the EU
2. Movements and parties of extremists in Germany; Constitutional Protection Report
B. Al-Qaeda and Jehad, islamist radicals
1. Islamist activities in Germany against democracy and constitution
2. Who supports the islamists in Germany?
3. Propaganda, language and targets of Al-Qaeda

VI. Political and economic marketing resp. propaganda in today’s Germany
A. Election campaign propaganda in Germany
1. German political parties
2. The election campaign 2005, election results in post-war Germany
3. From propaganda methods of election campaigns to political marketing
B. Propaganda and economy
1. Advertisement as an economic factor
2. Information or manipulation of the consumers?
C. Perspectives on the future

Required readings: 

Jäckel, Michael. Medienwirkungen: ein Studienbuch zur Einführung - 4. Aufl.. - Wiesbaden: VS Verl. für
Sozialwissenschaften, 2008 - http://www.redi-bw.de/start/unifr/EBooks-springer/10.1007/978-3-531-
90801-4 Noelle-Neumann, Elisabeth, Schulz, Winfried, Wilke, Jürgen, Hrsg.: Frankfurt/Main: Fischer- Lexikon Publizistik, Massenkommunikation., 2009

Sarcinelli, Ulrich. Politische Kommunikation in Deutschland : Medien und Politikvermittlung im demokratischen . Wiesbaden : VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften / Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH, Wiesbaden, 2011 http://www.redi-bw.de/start/unifr/EBooks-springer/10.1007/978-3-531-93018-3

Jesse, Eckhard;  Thieme, Tom. Extremismus in den EU-Staaten. Wiesbaden : VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften / Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden GmbH, Wiesbaden, 2011 http://www.redi-bw.de/start/unifr/EBooks-springer/10.1007/978-3-531-92746-6

Röser, Jutta;  Peil, Corinna;  Thomas, Tanja. Alltag in den Medien. Medien im Alltag. Wiesbaden : VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften / GWV Fachverlage GmbH, Wiesbaden, 2010 http://www.springerlink.com/content/wt6p08/#section=623819&page=1

Brief Biography of Instructor: 

Ulrich Eckelt earned a M.A. in German and Geography from the Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg. From 1985-93, Mr. Eckelt taught at private schools in Switzerland. In 1993, he began further training as an expert EU consultant. Since 1996, he has held a post at the University of Freiburg as a ERASMUS representative responsible for the EU higher education and vocational programs ERASMUS and LEONARDO.