Aims:
To examine and analyse the respective roles of persuasion and propaganda in contemporary French society, parallels being drawn also with other countries. After initial work on the definitions of and the evolution of, persuasion and propaganda including examples from print and audiovisual media, students pass onto investigations of particular areas of debate, events or political parties in a contemporary context.
On completion of the Unit students shall be able to distinguish between various levels of media manipulation with regard to political communication, and to analyse political discourse within its particular situational contexts.
Learning Outcomes:
This shall be demonstrated through seminar presentation and completion of an essay on a given topic within the field, both of which form the assessment for this Unit (see below).
Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication in the target language, and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit.
Content:
The communications process: from rhetoric to mass media.
Ieology, culture and propaganda.
Persuasion and propaganda: techniques and models.
Is propaganda possible in contemporary society?
Persuasive discourse: technique and example.
AIDS: propaganda or information?
The unit is taught in French.
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