Media, Politics & Conflict - Queen's University Belfast

MODULE DESCRIPTION
The module examines the nature of politics and conflict in media driven culture. It explores
the relationship between media and democracy in times of war, and asks questions about
bias, agenda setting, power and control in the media. It covers both local and global politics,
and provides the historical context for significant technological developments (e.g. the
internet) and contemporary examples of the growing power of the media (e.g. the CNN
Effect). The module asks students to reflect on their own interactions with the media, think
about media production from different and competing positions, and to compare different
media formats.
The module places a particular emphasis on the relationship between the media and conflict.
It looks at how the media portray and represent conflict, and the relationship between the
media, the military, the government and the audience. It examines some of the ways in
which the media can significantly escalate conflict and impact upon its development, and
pays particular attention to the role of new technologies in the mediation of conflict. To
explore these issues, a series of historical and contemporary case studies will be used,
including Vietnam, The Gulf War, Northern Ireland, Iraq, and the Arab Spring. These case
studies highlight a number of critical themes which will be discussed during the module, such
as the neutrality and independence of the media, Marxist and Pluralist approaches to the
media, the media as a weapon of war and the ethics of war reporting.
This module provides a basic understanding of the relationship between contemporary media
and politics with a specific focus on the media’s role during times of war. Rather than seeing
the media as something separate from the operation of politics, conflict and war, this module
examines the connections between modern forms of structural power, the current condition
of media saturation, and episodes of violent conflict. In other words, the module looks
beyond the direct media coverage of politics and asks bigger questions about how the media
shapes our social, cultural and political attitudes to conflict.
MODULE AIMS:
To give students a basic understanding of the relationships between contemporary
politics, the mass media and historical and contemporary episodes of conflict
To introduce students to the major debates in media studies
To help students understand the relationship between the media, politics and conflict
through clear and contemporary examples
To give students an opportunity to develop their communication skills by discussing and
debating these issues in tutorial groups
To give students the opportunity to develop their analytical and literary skills by exploring
these issues in written assignments and examinations
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Upon completion of this module, students should be able to:
Explain the role of the mass media during times of war with reference to issues such as
power, bias, neutrality, agenda setting and the public sphere
Reproduce some of the basic themes, topics and arguments in media studies such as the
politics of representation, mediation, Pluralist vs. Marxist approaches and new media
technologies
Draw upon the various case studies covered in the module to support or challenge a
particular argument
PAI1005 Media, Politics 7 Conflict (2012-13) 2