1) Course overview, methods of evaluation, defining terminology 2) A history of the development of democratic principles, from Ancient Greece to the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the fledgling democracies of the post-colonial world.

This class examines the founding principles of free speech in the pursuit of self-realization and democratic values. It aims to highlight the paradoxical nature of the democratic system as a dialectic, and raises issues of the Self and Other as posed by Hegel.

Looking at the theories of four key thinkers (Lippmann, Dewey, Bernays, and Habermas) the ideas of the public sphere and public opinion will be examined. Additionally, Adam Curtis’ landmark documentary The Century of the Self, will be used to help understand the development of public relations in 1920s United States, and the resulting explosion of psychoanalysis as a tool of public persuasion.

To examine the impact of big business and corporate media oligopolies on the dissemination of information. Special attention will be paid to Chomsky and Herman’s five point ‘Propaganda Model.’

Using investigative research from a series of press freedom NGOs, we will examine the rates of journalistic freedom worldwide, establishing what are the current trends and in what direction are they moving? Several case studies of interest will be used in our analysis, namely Hungary, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

Based on all classes and readings up to this point of the semester, the exam will be in the form of multiple-choice questions and short essays.

To understand the role of whistleblowers and the rise of Wikileaks, its role in journalism, the arguments for and against the dissemination of classified information, and ultimately its impact on an informed citizenry. Snowden's revelations of NSA and GCHQ mass surveillance will also be central to our discussion.

An investigation into the seismic impact of the internet on information dissemination; specifically examining issues regarding: social media, open source, blogging, fake news, and the impact of algorithms on the polarization of political opinion.

Understanding the paradoxical position of the government in the regulation of media outlets in the interest of democratic values. The Fairness Doctrine of 1949 and issues of net neutrality in the 21st century will be central to the class.

Task: Students will present an 8-10 minute case study on a selected theory or topic from the course readings.

Task: Students will present an 8-10 minute case study on a selected theory or topic from the course readings.

"Aboard a train leaving Moscow in April 2022, Nobel Prize-winning Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov was doused in red paint laced with acetone, damaging his eyesight. As the editor-in-chief of Russia’s last independent newspaper, Novaya Gazeta, Muratov is no stranger to the consequences of printing the truth in Vladimir Putin’s autocratic Russia: his paper has seen six journalists murdered since its inception in 1993. The Price of Truth, a documentary directed by Patrick Forbes, follows Muratov as he endeavored to keep the paper in operation after Russia invaded Ukraine." (ICIJ, 30.10.23)

The ideas in this class will revolve around the theories of James Curran in his book 'Media & Democracy,' regarding the ways in which both film and TV entertainment media often present a wide array of political persuasions; from the empowering rhetoric of liberal individualism, to the tight social bonds of conservative collectivism.

Based on all classes and readings from the whole course. The exam will be in the form of multiple-choice questions and short essays.