Overview of Course

This course is an upper-level course that exposes students to news media around the world, both the social media news platforms and non-social media news outlets, with particular emphasis on the countries we visit. We will critically compare and contrast how the media operate; examine state-owned, privately owned and hybrid media operations; and look at the relationships between the media, the government, corporations and the publics. We will examine the extent of the role media play in the lives of readers, viewers and listeners, and what impact they have on the way each country functions.

The class will analyze what the media cover and ‒ just as importantly ‒ what is not covered. What are the biggest stories in the world ‒ and in individual countries ‒ that are not covered or poorly addressed? We will examine the role of international media by evaluating content, story selection, accuracy, thoroughness and consistency using a deeper and critical lens in our analysis. Digital privacy, media literacy, and foreign correspondents’ role also will be examined.