EUROPEAN UNION RELATIONS
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code Course Name Semester Theoretical Practical Credit ECTS
NMD3120 Media and Conflict Fall 3 0 3 5
This catalog is for information purposes. Course status is determined by the relevant department at the beginning of semester.

Basic information

Language of instruction: English
Type of course: Non-Departmental Elective
Course Level: Bachelor’s Degree (First Cycle)
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator : Dr. Öğr. Üyesi TİRŞE ERBAYSAL FİLİBELİ
Course Lecturer(s): Dr. Öğr. Üyesi AYBERK CAN ERTUNA
Course Objectives: In this course the challenges that journalists face when reporting on war will be examined through historical examples. We will assess the role of the media in conflicts and conflict resolution and discuss the moral and ethical issues about reporting wars.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
This course aims to help students develop following skills:

1. A knowledge of historical progress of reporting wars and conflicts
2. Ability to assess conflict coverage in the media from a critical perspective
3. A knowledge of different types of written and audio visual dispatches from front lines
4. An understanding of concepts; peace journalism and conflict sensitive journalism

Course Content

“Nothing in the field of journalism is more glamorous than being a war correspondent” said famous American broadcast journalist Walter Cronkite. However, it is also the most challenging one, not only because of the potential physical and psychological hazards of the field, but also because of the political, social, economic and sometimes technological pressures. Therefore in this course the role of media in times of conflict and resolution, reporting from the war zone and journalistic ethics will be discussed throughout the term.

Weekly Detailed Course Contents

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction to the course
2) Wars, conflicts and journalism: Introduction of basic definitions, discussing the transformation of the armed conflicts
3) From Crimean War to World War II: Discussing how technology transformed war reporting (telegraph, photography and cinema), analyzing the effects of propaganda and censorship
4) Vietnam War and Falkland War: Discussing the effects of TV journalism and political repercussions
5) 24/7 News reporting and war in Afghanistan: Analyzing the framing and "spinning" of wars; CNN Vs. Al Jazeera
6) Gulf War and Iraq Wars: Discussing the effects of press pools and embedding on journalistic practice
7) Class discussion
8) Ethical issues in war journalism: Discussing the international efforts in defining ethical standards
9) Peace journalism: Analyzing the concepts of peace journalism and conflict sensitive journalism
10) Reporting conflicts in the age of Internet: Analyzing the role of social media and open source intelligence in conflict reporting
11) Safety of journalists: Understanding how journalists prepare for missions in conflict zones and safety in the field
12) Guest Speaker: Learning from the experiences of a seasoned war reporter
13) Presentation of projects
14) Presentation of projects

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: - Cottle, S. (2006). Mediatized Conflict: Developments in Media and Conflict Studies, Berkshire: Open University Press.
- Entman, R (1993). Framing: Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm, Journal of Communication 43(4), 51-58.
- Galtung J., Fischer D. (2013) High Road, Low Road: Charting the Course for Peace Journalism. SpringerBriefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32481-9_8
- Hanitzsch, T. (2004). Journalists as Peacekeeping Force? Peace Journalism and mass communication theory. Journalism Studies, 5 (4), 483-495.
- McLaughlin, G. (2002). The War Correspondent, London: Pluto Press.
- Noris, P., Kern, M., Just, M. (2003). Framing Terrorism: The News Media, the Government and the Public, New York: Routledge.
- Thussu, D.K., Freeman, D. (2003). War and the Media (pp. 87-98). London: Sage Publications.
- Zeitoff, T. (2017). How Social Media Is Changing Conflict, Journal of Conflict Resolution. 61 (9). 1970-1991.
References: - Cottle, S. (2006). Mediatized Conflict: Developments in Media and Conflict Studies, Berkshire: Open University Press.
- Entman, R (1993). Framing: Toward Clarification of a Fractured Paradigm, Journal of Communication 43(4), 51-58.
- Galtung J., Fischer D. (2013) High Road, Low Road: Charting the Course for Peace Journalism. SpringerBriefs on Pioneers in Science and Practice, vol 5. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32481-9_8
- Hanitzsch, T. (2004). Journalists as Peacekeeping Force? Peace Journalism and mass communication theory. Journalism Studies, 5 (4), 483-495.
- McLaughlin, G. (2002). The War Correspondent, London: Pluto Press.
- Noris, P., Kern, M., Just, M. (2003). Framing Terrorism: The News Media, the Government and the Public, New York: Routledge.
- Thussu, D.K., Freeman, D. (2003). War and the Media (pp. 87-98). London: Sage Publications.
- Zeitoff, T. (2017). How Social Media Is Changing Conflict, Journal of Conflict Resolution. 61 (9). 1970-1991.

Evaluation System

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Attendance 14 % 10
Homework Assignments 1 % 10
Midterms 1 % 30
Final 1 % 50
Total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 50
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 50
Total % 100

ECTS / Workload Table

Activities Number of Activities Duration (Hours) Workload
Course Hours 14 3 42
Study Hours Out of Class 14 5 70
Homework Assignments 1 4 4
Midterms 1 3 3
Final 1 3 3
Total Workload 122

Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Low 3 Average 4 High 5 Highest
           
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) To be able to examine, interpret data and assess ideas with the scientific methods in the area of EU studies. 2
2) To be able to inform authorities and institutions in the area of EU studies, to be able to transfer ideas and proposals supported by quantitative and qualitative data about the problems. 2
3) To be introduced to and to get involved in other disciplines that EU studies are strongly related with (political science, international relations, law, economics, sociology, etc.) and to be able to conduct multi-disciplinary research and analysis on European politics. 3
4) To be able to evaluate current news on European Union and Turkey-EU relations and identify, analyze current issues relating to the EU’s politics and policies. 2
5) To be able to use English in written and oral communication in general and in the field of EU studies in particular. 1
6) To have ethical, social and scientific values throughout the processes of collecting, interpreting, disseminating and implementing data related to EU studies. 1
7) To be able to assess the historical development, functioning of the institutions and decision-making system and common policies of the European Union throughout its economic and political integration in a supranational framework. 2
8) To be able to evaluate the current legal, financial and institutional changes that the EU is going through. 2
9) To explain the dynamics of enlargement processes of the EU by identifying the main actors and institutions involved and compare previous enlargement processes and accession process of Turkey. 2
10) To be able to analyze the influence of the EU on political, social and economic system of Turkey. 2
11) To acquire insight in EU project culture and to build up project preparation skills in line with EU format and develop the ability to work in groups and cooperate with peers. 2
12) To be able to recognize theories and concepts used by the discipline of international relations and relate them to the historical development of the EU as a unique post-War political project. 3