Sylabus
IMS FSV UK – Katedra severoamerických studií
Winter
Garant
Tomáš Klvaňa, Ph D, M.A
Course
American Media, Culture and Globalization
Class Description
With the onset of globalization, very few industries have gone through changes so profound as media. The journalism business model has collapsed. Digital communication has transformed ways we communicate and argue, vote, make a living, organize our economy and politics. Political, cultural and economic changes influenced by globalism and instantaneous communication made us question basic assumptions of our lives. They shape how we prosper, dream and fear. The course helps students to think about, analyze and evaluate the interplay of media, communication, culture, politics and economy.
Desired Outcomes
Students will understand key globalization trends and processes as they manifest themselves in culture, media, economy and politics. They will demonstrate an ability to use and apply relevant concepts, and gain insights into the world increasingly shaped by media.
Assessment Components 10% -- Class Attendance 20% -- Class Activity
· Discussion moderated by professor based on course reading, films and lectures
· Possible short quizzes based on readings
· Short student presentations 35% -- Midterm Examination (several short essay-type answers; closed book and notes: students will not be allowed to use any course or internet resources) 35% -- Final Examination (three hand-written essays in class; comprehensive; open notes and books: students are allowed to use the course resources)
A failure to submit or fulfill any of the above would result in the F grade for the course.
Assessment Expectations
Grade A: Excellent work demonstrating a critical and observant approach to the subject, sound research and an ability to express thoughts cogently and persuasively. Grade B: Very good work. Grade C: Satisfactory work. Grade F: Failure to achieve a passable standard.
Grading
A = 91-100, B = 81-90, C = 71-80, F = 70 and below
Required Text(s)
Articles/Papers (available online)
· David Kushner – The Masked Avengers: How Anonymous incited online vigilantism from Tunisia to Ferguson. The New Yorker, Sept. 8, 2014 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/08/masked-avengers
· Adrian Chen – The Agency. The New York Times, June 2, 2015 http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/07/magazine/the-agency.html?_r=0
· Shoshana Zuboff – Disruption’s Tragic Flaw. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, March 23, 2015 http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/debatten/the-digital-debate/shoshana-zuboff-on-the-sharing-economy-13500770.html
· Shoshana Zuboff – The Secrets of Surveillance Capitalism. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, March 5, 2016 http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/debatten/the-digital-debate/shoshana-zuboff-secrets-of-surveillance-capitalism-14103616.html?printPagedArticle=true#pageIndex_2
Books/Chapters
· David Leigh, Luke Harding - WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assange's War on Secrecy (Introduction; Chapters 1-5 and 9-13)
· Evgeny Morozov – The Net Delusion: How Not to Liberate the World (Chapters 1-6)
· Jaron Lanier – Who Owns the Future? (Parts 1,2,3,6 and the Conclusion)
Films and Videos
· We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists (2012), a documentary film by Brian Knappenberger - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-_2z8QlC1o
· We Steal Secrets – The Story of WikiLeaks (2013). A documentary film by Alex Gibney - http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1v53f8_we-steal-secrets-the-story-of-wikileaks_tv
· Kony 2012. A campaign video by The Invisible Children, an NGO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc
· Tickling Giants. A film by Sara Taksler (2016)
· Stand-Up Comedy by Maz Jobrani (excerpts); Interviews with Wajeeha al Huwaider, a Saudi Arabian female activist; Rais Le Bled – video clip by El General, a Tunisian hip hop artist
· Charlie Rose interviews Naomi Klein on Shock Doctrine
Optional Texts
Anthony Giddens - The Runaway World
Thomas Friedman - The Lexus and the Olive Tree
Thomas Friedman - The World is Flat
Thomas Friedman - Hot, Flat and Crowded
Clay Shirky - Here Comes Everybody
Clay Shirky - Cognitive Surplus
Evgeny Morozov - To Save Everything Click Here
Jaron Lanier - You are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto
Samuel Huntington - The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order
Benjamin Barber - Jihad versus McWorld: Terrorism's Challenge to Democracy
Francis Fukuyama - The End of History and the Last Man
Robin Wright - Rock the Casbah
Naomi Klein - No Logo
Naomi Klein - The Shock Doctrine
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1
Introduction
Week 2
Post-Gutenberg Universe
In-class videos – Clay Shirky
Required reading: Assange (Introduction and Chapters 1-3)
Week 3
Social Networks and the Global Revolution in Journalism
Required viewing: We Steal Secrets – The Story of WikiLeaks (2013). A documentary film by Alex Gibney. We shall watch a part of the film in class. Students will then wat