Media, Politics & Conflict - Queen's University Belfast

2) The Cold War is traditionally understood as a bipolar global order in which a
communist and a capitalist bloc were opposed to each other. To what extent did the
media produce, contribute to and maintain this antagonism?
3) ‘Does a capitalist system of media organization allow for the widest variety and
diversity of viewpoints, or does it limit cultural and informational products along
particular lines?’ (Grossberg et.al., 1998: 381). Reflecting on this question and using
examples from TWO of the 20 th Century conflicts covered in the first half of the
module (i.e. WWI; WWII; Cold War; Vietnam; Northern Ireland; Arab/Israeli conflict),
compare and contrast the Pluralist and Marxist approaches to media representations
of war. Which is more convincing, and why?
4) ‘Are the media able to act effectively as a watchdog on government? Or are they only
ever beholden to power, and therefore consigned to the role of mouthpiece?’ (Lisle,
2009: 155) Reflect on this question with reference to the media representations of
Vietnam.
5) ‘The effect of the so-called ‘Vietnam-Syndrome’ was to irrevocably change the nature
of the media’s representation of conflict’. Discuss with reference to EITHER the
conflict in Northern Ireland OR the Arab / Israeli Conflict.
6) The media are central to the exercise of power in our society. They can set agendas
in the sense of highlighting some news stories and topics, but they can also severely
limit the information with which we understand events in the world’ (Philo, 2011:
173-74). Discuss with reference to EITHER the Arab/Israeli conflict OR the conflict
in Northern Ireland.
3. Examination
You must sit ONE two-hour exam during the scheduled exam period (16 th May-1 st June
2013) in which you will answer two questions out of a possible six. The exam is worth
55% of your final grade.
Important note: Resit examinations will take place from Monday 12 August – Saturday 31
August 2013. Students should bear this in mind when making work, holiday, or other plans
for the summer period.
Conceptual Equivalents Marking Scale
The School of Politics, International Studies and Philosophy uses the University’s conceptual
equivalent marking scheme for all undergraduate assessment. Individual pieces of work are
allocated a ‘discrete’ mark. For further information on the University’s conceptual equivalent
marking scheme and the marks used, see the School’s Undergraduate Student Handbook.
This is available from the School Office and will be posted on the resources page on QOL for
each module. This is University’s conceptual equivalent marking scale can also be accessed
on line at: www.qub.ac.uk/pisp/Education/Undergraduates/Assessment/.
PAI1005 Media, Politics 7 Conflict (2012-13) 6