16860

WiSe 17/18: Media and Journalism in Germany – Evolution, Structures and Challenges

Simon Berghofer

Information for students

Please note that this seminar will start on November 3rd. We will make up for the first two weeks: exact dates will be arranged in the first session.

Comments

Subject: The German sociologist Niklas Luhmann declared: “Whatever we know about society, or indeed about the world in which we live, we know through the mass media”. Even if one does not agree completely with this claim, the importance of media and communication for the functioning of modern societies and especially democracies remains widely uncontested. However, national media and communication systems vary significantly, not only depending on the political system embedding them, but also according to specific cultural, economic and historical trajectories. After the so called “Gleichschaltung” (enforced conformity) of public life under the Nazi regime, the (West-) German media system was re-organised in order to guarantee and support a pluralistic and democratic society. Today, the German media system is shaped by the steady concurrence of public-service and private broadcasters, an independent and highly pluralistic but steadily shrinking print sector, and the increasing digitilisation of daily life. Digitalisation in particular disrupts existing business models and challenges the role of traditional media as well as the role of journalism as a social institution. Program: Starting from the question what we mean when we talk about “the media”, we will discuss the interdependencies of media/journalism and politics and ask whether and how media need to be “regulated” in modern societies. Students will learn how historical trajectories shape the structure of media systems by analyzing the historical development and the contemporary structure of the German media system. Although the course will occasionally cover historical aspects, the focus lies clearly on the structures and challenges of today’s media system and journalism. The course will include lectures, excursions, seminar discussions, individual assignments and group works as well as presentations. Is this course suitable for you? This course is open to students from the Arts & Humanities, Cultural Studies, Social Sciences and Economics. . You should be interested in the German media system and the role of media in society in general. This will be an interactive class, so please be prepared to participate in working and discussion groups and to present findings in class. Workload and Assessment: In order to obtain 5 ECTS credits, you will have to • attend the course regularly (at least 13 out of 16 sessions); • study the course materials (between 15 and 30 pages English texts per week); • participate actively in discussions and working groups • give a presentation in class (10-15 min, with handout); • pass the written examination (90 minutes) close

14 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Fri, 08:00 - 10:00 14 Class schedule

Fri, 2017-11-03 08:00 - 10:00

Lecturers:
Simon Berghofer