Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Media and Conflict
Module Code	CM578
School	School of Communications
Online Module Resources
Module Teacher	Patrick Kinsella
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

To examine the main features of conflict over power or identity in the modern world; to review the portrayal of actors and the framing of narratives in important struggles of our times (including in Northern Ireland, Yugoslavia, Rwanda, the Gulf, Sri Lanka, Algeria etc); to consider media manipulation, censorship and other constraints on the reporting of war and peace; to analyse actual and possible effects of the media in exacerbating or ameliorating conflict; to evaluate various theories of the influence of media on society; to discuss alternative approaches to the coverage of conflict.

Learning Outcomes

1. Give an account of the role of the media and journalists in various armed conflicts between and within states since 1900
2. Describe and compare various theories concerning news media and societies in conflict, and evaluate theories in the light of research evidence
3. Discuss alternative journalistic approaches to conflict coverage, including objectivity, propaganda, journalism of attachment and peace journalism
4. Describe and discuss the limitations and pressures on journalists, including manipulation, censorship, targeting, and the impact of trauma
5. Adopt and justify a personal approach to war reporting

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Seminars	22	Weekly lecture/seminar sessions
Assignment	36	Essays
Debate	18	Seminar/forum contributions
Independent learning	50	Required reading
Total Workload: 126

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Week 1.
Why fight: the cost of conflict..

Week 2.
Models of media and society. Herman & Chomsky..

Week 3.
Limitations of the Propaganda Model..

Week 4.
Total War, propaganda and censorship..

Week 5.
Limited War, 'Vietnam Syndrome' and after..

Week 7.
Other people’s wars: CNN effect; crisis journalism..

Week 8.
War & the Journalist: access, embedding, censorship, ultimate sanctions..

Week 9.
Objectivity, journalism of attachment..

Week 10.
Peace journalism; audience demands..

Week 11.
Terrorism, a special case..

Week 12.
Peace processes. Media as a battle ground..

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Essay	Mid term essay	20%	Week 7
Other	Contribution to seminars (or to on-line discussion forum)	20%	Every Week
Essay	Term paper	60%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List