This course is no longer offered

10533 Public Opinion, Propaganda and Democracy 1

Credits: 6 advanced credits in Communication or in Political Science or in Sociology and Anthropology

Prerequisites: 36 credits, including Mass Communication. Students must also fulfill all English requirements.

Structure: The course has two parts. The first relates to various aspects of public opinion. The second examines one of the more common methods of shaping public opinion: propaganda.

Topics: Part I – Public opinion and Democracy: Introduction: definitions of public opinion, The creation and change of public opinion, The media and public opinion, Public opinion and policy, Polls and public opinion. Part II – Propaganda: Shaping public opinion: propaganda, Characteristics, strategies and tactics of propaganda, Election campaign propaganda: institutional aspects, Television debates, The power and limitations of propaganda.

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1Students may write a seminar paper within the framework of this course, although it is not required.