E58.2175 Political Communication
Political Communication
Fall, 2009
Thursdays, 4:55-7:05
Dov Shinar, Ph.D.
Course Description & Objectives
The course focuses on communication aspects of international politics, using
conflict and peacemaking/peacekeeping as a major analytical and critical tool.
Lecture-based, scholarly material as well as research-based seminar format
discussions will serve to actively expose students to topics such as roles, powers,
and constraints of the media in international politics; media-government and
media-opposition relations in international politics; and journalism and diplomacy
styles in international politics.
Using case studies from the Middle East (Iraq, Israel-Palestine, etc.), former
Yugoslavia, and others suggested by students, course contents include an
introduction to media and politics in conflict and peace processes, and chapters on
professional dimensions (techniques, narratives, ethics, and professional risks and
safety in war and peace coverage); political discourse in war and peace; media
and government; war journalism and peace journalism; and traditional and public
diplomacy.
By the end of the course, students should be able to accomplish the following
learning objectives:
1. Rationally and critically analyze evaluate, and discuss political dimensions of
communications on international and global levels;
2. Identify characteristics of media performance in the coverage of international
conflict, peacemaking, and peacekeeping, including: reality constructions;
messages and meanings; constraints and relations with controlling forces;
discourse and contexts; technology, ideology, and ethics.
3. Collect, analyze and synthesize research data as a basis for understanding and
explaining political communications at the international and global levels.
4. Apply knowledge acquired about media expected and actual behavior in
international conflict, peacemaking and peacekeeping to other dimensions of
international political communications.
Method
The course is planned as a joint intellectual effort, and a dialogic process between the
instructor and the students. In practical terms this includes:
 Lectures by the instructor and screenings of visual materials combined
with oral discussions, and based on readings and on written critical papers on
bibliographical items;
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Presentations by students and discussions of items from the list of readings,
according to a preplanned schedule;
Submission of written critical summaries: 2 for each student: 1 of the
presentation, one by independent choice, approved by the instructor.
Independent background work whereby the instructor and the students will
share basic information on relevant names and events used in lectures,
screenings, presentations and papers. This information will be posted in the
course website or distributed via email.
Final Essay – Critical essay on a topic learned in the course according to
knowledge and insights acquired from class presentations and discussions.
Required Readings and Video/DVD Screenings
Amani, I. (2008). Mission statehood: portraits of the second Palestinian intifada in US
news media. Media, War & Conflict 1, 177
http://mwc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1/2/177
Aronczyk, M. (2008). "Living the Brand: Nationality, Globality, and the Identity
Strategies of Nation Branding Consultants", International Journal of Communication,
2, 41-65. http://ijoc.org
Baudrillard, J. (2001) “The Gulf War Did Not Take Place” In M. Poster (ed.) Jean
Baudrillard: Selected Writings, Palo Alto: Stanford University Press.
Bird, S.E. & R.W. Dardenne (1988) "Myth, Chronicle and Story: Exploring the
Narrative Qualities of News", in J.W. Carey (ed.), Media, Myths and Narratives,
Newbury Park: Sage.
Bläsi, B., (2004) “Peace Journalism and the News Production Process”, Conflict &
Communication Online, 3 (1 & 2), 2004, www.cco.regener-online.de
Covering Conflict
Erjavec, K. and Z. Volcic. (2007) ‘War on terrorism’ as a discursive battleground:
Serbian recontextualization of G.W. Bush's discourse Discourse & Society 18, 123
http://das.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/18/2/123
Gavriely-Nuri, D. (2008). "The `metaphorical annihilation' of the Second Lebanon
War (2006) from the Israeli political discourse". Discourse & Society, 19 (1), 5-20
http://das.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/1/5
Jacoby, T. A. (2004). Unwinnable Wars: Asymmetry and the Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict, Paper for ISA Montreal, March 17-20.
Jake Lynch Interview TMS, u-tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtmlxcq6Cc4
Kalb, M. and C. Saivetz. (2007). "The Israeli—Hezbollah War of 2006: The Media as
a Weapon in Asymmetrical Conflict", Harvard International Journal of
Press/Politics, 12, 43. http://hij.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/12/3/43
Mellor, N., (2008). "Arab Journalists as Cultural Intermediaries", International
Journal of Press/Politics 13, 465 http://hij.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/4/465
Mandelzis, L. (2007). "Representations of Peace in News Discourse: Viewpoint and
Opportunity for Peace Journalism". Conflict & Communication Online 6 (1),
www.cco.regener-online.de
Mandelzis, L. and Peleg, S. (2008). "Essay: War Journalism as Media Manipulation:
Seasawing Between the Second Lebanon War and the Iranian Nuclear Threat", Peace
and Policy, 13, November.
Pintak, L. and J. Ginges (2008) "The Mission of Arab Journalism: Creating Change in
a Time of Turmoil" International Journal of Press/Politics 13, 193
http://hij.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/3/193
Roeh, I. & S. Ashley. (1986). "Criticizing Press Coverage in the Lebanon War:
Toward a Paradigm of News as Storytelling", Communication Yearbook, Newbury
Park: Sage.
Ruigrok, N. (2008), "Journalism of attachment and objectivity: Dutch journalists and
the Bosnian War", Media, War & Conflict, 1, 293
http://mwc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1/3/293
Sakr, N.. (2008). "Diversity and diaspora: Arab communities and satellite
communication in Europe" Global Media and Communication 4, 277
http://gmc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/4/3/277
Schechter, D. (2006). When News Lies: Media Complicity and The Iraq War. New
York: Select Books.
Shinar, D. et al. (2009). The Neaman Document: A Study on Israeli Public
Diplomacy. Haifa, Israel: The Samuel Neaman Institute, Technion, March.
Available at www.neaman.org
Shinar, D. (2008). "Why Not More Peace Journalism? The Coverage of the 2006
Lebanon War in Canadian and Israeli Media”, Peace and Policy, 13, November.
Shinar, D. (2007) “Peace Journalism: The State of the Art”, Conflict and
Communication Online vol.6 (1) April 2007 http://www.cco.regener-online.de
Shinar, D. (2004). “Media Peace Discourse: Constraints, Concepts and Building
Blocks”, Conflict and Communication Online, 3 (1&2) www.cco.regener-online.de
Shinar, D. (2003) “Peace Process in Cultural Conflict: The Role of the Media”,
Conflict and Communication Online, 2 (1), 2003. www.cco.regener-online.de
Shinar, D. (2000) “Media Diplomacy and Peace Talk: The Middle East and Northern
Ireland”, Gazette, 62, 2, April.
Shinar, D. & G. Stoiciu. (1992) "Media Representations of Socio-Political Conflict:
The Romanian Revolution and the Gulf War ,"Gazette, 50, 1992, 243-257.
http://hij.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/7/2/58
Traber, M. & A. Davis (1991),"Ethics of War Reporting”. Media Development,
Special Issue, October.
Tumber, H., (2006). The Fear of Living Dangerously: Journalists who Report on
Conflict, International Relations 20, 439
http://ire.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/20/4/439
United States Institute of Peace. (2009) Media as Global Diplomat (video on panel
discussion moderated by Ted Koppel, February 3.
http://www.usip.org/media/global_diplomat/index.html
Expectations and Grading
Grades are assigned to each course component, according to the following procedure:
1. Overall performance
Attendance: The success of the course is highly dependent on full attendance and
participation. Absence involves the loss of valuable information and insight. If you
know ahead of time that you will not be able to attend class, I would appreciate a
heads up, as it may have a bearing on how class time is structured. While there is no
penalty for a reasonable amount of absence, unless you have an unbelievable
exceptional excuse for missing class on the day that a presentation or other
assignment is due, you will be penalized 35% of your grade for that assignment.
Preparation: You are expected to come to class each week fully prepared, which
means having read all assigned readings, and having done so in a way that
demonstrates adequate comprehension of the material. It also means that you should
come to class having spent some time having carefully reflected on course material,
lectures and discussion in a way that allows you to develop a set of questions,
critiques, and discussion points related to course material.
Participation: Participation includes contributing insights, questions, explanations,
and ideas to class discussions, contributing outside material (such as background
information that cannot be fully provided otherwise in a one-semester-long course),
etc. Since each student will take some responsibility for the conduct of the course, I
expect that you will be prepared to engage with both me and your fellow classmates
who, I will assume have valuable knowledge and perspectives on the course material
being covered.
2. Assignments:
Specific assignments in the course include, for each student:
 one class presentation of a pre-selected item from the list of readings, and a
written critical summary of the item (s) presented (no more than 2 pages, font
size 12, 1.5 space), to be submitted no later than one week following the
presentation;
 one written critical summary of a reading item selected by the student through
independent research, and approved by the instructor (no more than 2 pages,
font size 12, 1.5 space), to be submitted anytime after class 5;
 at least two written pieces of background information to be submitted to the
instructor (and following approval) circulated for all class members, following
the submission of each critical summary.
 One final essay on a topic approved by the instructor, based on class
discussions and readings to be submitted no later than December 14 (approved
by the instructor, no more and no less than 10 pages, font size 12, 1.5 space),
using at least 6 sources from the list of readings and 6sources obtained
independently.
Examples of Readings for Independent Research Paper and Final Essay
(more + texts available from instructor)
Liebes, T. and Z. Kampf. (2007). Routinizing Terror: Media Coverage and Public
Practices in Israel, Harvard International Journal of Press/Politics,12, 108
Lynch, J. and A. McGoldrick, Peace Journalism. (2005).Stroud, UK: Hawthorn Press.
Mandelzis, L. (2003). “The changing image of the enemy in the news discourse of
Israeli newspapers, 1993-1994”, Conflict & Communication Online, 2 (1).
www.cco.regener-online.de
Shinar, D. (2005). Constructing Collective Identities and Democratic Media in a
Globalizing World: Israel as a Test Case. In Democratizing Global Media: One
World, Many Struggles, edited by R. A. Hackett and Zhao Y. Boulder CO: Rowman
and Littlefield.
Spyer, J., (2008). Israel in the Middle East: Threats and Countermeasures,
International Relations 22; 349.
Strömbäck, J. (2008). "Four Phases of Mediatization: An Analysis of the
Mediatization of Politics", The International Journal of Press/Politics 13, 228.
Tehranian, M. (2002). “Peace Journalism: Negotiating Global Media Ethics" ,
Harvard Journal of Press/Politics, 7 (2), April
"The Peace Journalism Controversy" (2007). Conflict and Communication Online.
Berlin: Regener, 6 (2) www.cco.regener-online.de
3. Grades: will be assigned based on the satisfactory completion of each of the
assignments. Individuals’ whose performance and assignments are satisfactory will
receive an A. Grades will decline by one letter grade after that.
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Class presentation + written summary of item presented – 20% of final grade
Written summary of item selected through independent research – 20% of
final grade
 Two written pieces of background information – 10% of final grade
 Final essay – 50% of final grade
4. Quality of Work and Academic Integrity: You are expected to complete quality
work reflective of your intellectual abilities, your fitness for admission to this
university and to this department. This includes the amount of research and work put
into your readings and assignments, your attention to details such as proper grammar,
punctuation, vocabulary, writing style and format. You are expected to turn in your
own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Critical
works of various texts abound in the public arena, be assured that should you, in
light of your failure to devote the requisite time and attention to your
assignments, choose to rely on any of them without proper citation and
referential use, you will be caught, and you will fail this course no questions
asked.
5. Reasonable Accommodation Policy: If you have a disability that affects your
performance in this course, please notify me at the beginning of the semester and
necessary special arrangements can me made to accommodate you.
Schedule (subject to alteration)
Chapter 1: Classes 1 – 2 – Sept. 10-17
Introduction: Media and Politics in Conflict and Peace Processes
(conflict types and characteristics, media roles and powers in international
politics)
 Sept. 10 Class 1 - Course presentation and Lecture - Shinar 2003
 Sept. 17 Class 2 - Student Presentation 1 –(2 st.) Asymmetric Conflicts
(Kalb & Saivetz, Jacoby)
Chapter 2: Classes 3-5 – Sept. 24, Oct. 1, 8
Professional Dimensions of International Political Communication
 Sept. 24 Class 3 - Film Screening and discussion (Schechter – Iraq War
coverage)
 Oct. 1 Class 4 - Student presentation 2: (1st.) techniques (Roeh & Ashley,
Shinar & Stoiciu); (1 st.) journalists risks and safety (Tumber, Covering
Conflict); (1 st.) new technologies and political communication - Sakr
 Oct. 8 Class 5 - Student presentation 3: narratives (2 st.):(Baudrillard +
Bird & Dardenne/ Gavriely-Nuri) and ethics (1 st.) (Traber & Davis –
principles + Shinar & Stoiciu - technologies)
Chapter 3: Classes 6-8 – Oct. 15, 22, 29
Political Discourse in War and Peace
 Oct. 15 Class 6 - Lecture – Shinar 2000, 2004 + Mandelzis 2007
 Oct. 22 Class 7 – Student presentation 4 (2 st.) Mandelzis & Peleg , Amani
 Oct. 29 Class 8 - Student presentation 5 (2 st.) Former Yugoslavia - Erjavec
& Volcic, Ruigrok
Chapter 4: Classes 9-10 – Nov. 5, 12
Relations media-government/media-opposition & media roles n international
conflicts, crises and peace processes.
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Nov. 5 Class 9 - Film Screening - Schechter (Iraq) Student presentation 6
(2 st.) Pintak & Ginges, Mellor
 Nov. 12 Class 10 Chapter 5: Classes 11-12 – Nov. 12, 19
Politics, War journalism and peace journalism.
 Nov. 12 Class 11 – Video Screening - Jake Lynch Interview TMS; Lecture
– Shinar 2007
 Nov. 19 Class 12 - Student presentation 7 (2 st.) Shinar 2008; Student
presentation 8 (2 st.), constraints (Blasi)
Chapter 6: Classes 13-14 – Dec. 3, 10 (Nov 26 – Thanksgiving)
Politics, Media, and Traditional and public diplomacy;
 Dec 3 Class 13 – Lecture – Excerpts from the Neaman Document +
Student Presentation 9 (1 st.) – Aronczyk
 Dec 10 Class 14 - Video screening – Media as Global Diplomat
Class 15 Dec. 17 – Wrap-Up