SFB51720 Propaganda in the era of social media (Spring 2027)

Mandatory course in:

• Bachelor’s Programme in Communication

Elective course in:

• Bachelor in International Communication with a specialisation in political communication (year 2025)
• Bachelor’s Programme in Languages

Recommended pre-knowledge:

• BIK115256 Political Communication and Crisis Communication or equivalent
• BIK13025 Political Communication 2 or equivalent

• Bachelor’s Programme in Communication: 6th semester (spring)
• Bachelor’s Programme in International Communication with a specialisation political communication (year 2025): 4th semester (spring)
• Bachelor’s Programme in Languages: 6th semester (spring)

Propaganda is a term most people are familiar with, often used to describe how authoritarian regimes communicate. However, propaganda has long been one of the most important instruments of political practice and communication. It was an important battleground in the Cold War, and propaganda has in recent years regained scholarly attention due to the advent of social media and debates regarding "fake news". The Internet allows for widespread use of propaganda, and the AI revolution has magnified the potential for propaganda and disinformation. It is thus important to engage with, and acquire the tools to understand, how propaganda works. This course traces the development of propaganda research over the last century up to the present day. The primary aim is to discover continuities and ruptures in order to conceptualise information strategies against the background of current conflicts, security issues and media developments. The course is unique and combines cutting-edge research on war, terrorism and extremism with the study on propaganda and communication. Topics include:

• Propaganda and Persuasion: Essential Definitions & Historical Contexts
• Propaganda by the Deed: Terrorism, Right-Wing Extremism and the War on Terror
• The role of technology: from print media to AI

Knowledge

The student

• is familiar with the role of propaganda in a number of historical and contemporary socio-political contexts.
• has sound knowledge of methodological questions associated with the study of propaganda, including the use of social media.

Skills

The student has

• an ability to engage critically with the literature on the subject and to undertake independent research
• an ability to analyse the impact of persuasive communication techniques on wider domestic and international political decision-making and the ways in which the political establishment strives to control media output.
• an ability to use, and thereby to understand and analyse, social media to create and disseminate propaganda.

General competence

The student has

• a critical awareness of propaganda devices, including images of war and suffering.
• a critical understanding of the role of technology on forms of communication.
• an awareness of how propaganda and disinformation affects political decisions and public discourse.

One written assignment. Students will have to create their own piece of propaganda. It could be in the form of a video, article, posters, pictures and social media posts. Students can either complete the assignment individually or in groups of 2 to 4 students.

The piece of propaganda must be presented in class to open up for a critical dialogue on what makes propaganda.

The coursework must be approved before signing up for the final exam.

Individual written exam based on the course curriculum. Duration 4 hours. No supporting materials allowed.

Grading scale A - F.

This course is evaluated by a

• Final course evaluation

The responsible for the course compiles a report based on the feedback from the students and his/her own experience with the course.