Required prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the MA Programme in Global Journalism.

Relevance within study programme

GJ 301 Journalism, Media and Globalization is a mandatory course in the MA Programme in Global Journalism at NLA University College and takes place in the first semester of the programme.

Introduction

Globalization affects journalism in a number of ways. To an increasing degree, one may speak about a global public arena, shared methods in news-gathering, joint technologies, an international media industry, a global journalist fraternity, and so forth. However, there are also tendencies that seem to contradict the perception of increased global cohesion within journalistic theory and practice. For example, local media cultures reveal diverse journalistic norms, and new technology is sometimes at odds with the idea of a global professional ideology. Thus, understanding journalism in the global world requires both knowledge of media globalization as well as awareness of local media practice.

GJ 301 Journalism, Media and Globalization aims to explore both global and local developments in journalistic practice. The course consists of two sections. The first section takes on a deductive approach and considers common models for media systems, where the intention is to systematize media arrangements in relation to their socio-political environment as a means to compare media systems across the world. The second section takes on an inductive approach by means of exploring journalistic practices in various societies across the world, leading up to the discussion of whether one also can speak of an emerging globalizing journalism practice that transcends local journalism practice. The course begins and ends by asking the key question, –What is global journalism?–.

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student:

• has knowledge of key issues within comparative journalism research
• has knowledge of the diversity of journalistic practices and ideologies around the world
• is familiar with recognized media system models both for the Western and the non-Western world
• is familiar with discussions in globalization with particular emphasis on the media perspective

Skills

The student:

• can compare journalistic ideologies in global perspective
• can explain and assess different positions pertaining to media globalization
• can analyse normative preferences in selected media systems

General competence

The student:

• can reflect critically on issues of globalization in relation to journalism and the media
• is able to explain and make use of specialized nomenclature concerning journalism, media and globalization

Content

GJ 301–1: Journalism across the world

This section of the course focuses on the various regions of the world and considers journalistic practices and challenges for each area, in addition to offering a discussion of whether a global journalism identity is emerging. One of the issues to be discussed is the impact that changes in the media industry has on journalistic identity and practice in different media societies. For every region, one particular topic – which has global significance as well – receives particular attention. In the appending weekly student seminars, individual students will be asked to dig particularly into one geographical area and present a focused report on the chosen area.

GJ 301–2: Media systems

The second section of the course examines regional media systems in global perspective. The starting-point is Hallin and Mancini–s (2004) renowned three-tiered model of Western media systems (the polarized pluralist model, the democratic corporatist model and the liberal model), after which the course goes on to discuss alternative models for journalistic practice elsewhere in the world. The course considers how journalism ideology and practice are interrelated with the overall media system of a given society.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching is delivered through lectures and seminars. The lectures are organized over approximately five weeks with four lecture hours every week, making up 20 lecture hours in total. The seminars are mainly student-led and last for approximately two hours each week.

Scope

Ap. 250 to 300 hours

Coursework requirements

Lectures in GJ 301 are not compulsory, but students are encouraged to be present in order to create a fertile learning environment. The written exam and the assignment are compulsory.

Grading, coursework requirements

-

Final assessment

The assessment of GJ 301 comprises two parts:

• 4000 word written assignment/paper discussing a focused issue within journalism, media and globalization (51% of the final grade)
• 4 hour written exam (49% of the final grade)

Permitted aids under examination

1. All 2. None

Grading, examination

Both parts shall be individual work and are assessed according to the standard A–F grading system. One final grade is given for the course.

Assessment language

English.

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

Annually course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/ in class.

Available for Course Students

No.

Syllabus

GJ 301.1: Journalism across the world

a) Introduction to global journalism research

Readings:

• Berglez, Peter (2013) Global journalism: Theory and practice. New York: Peter Lang. Pp. 51-78.
• Hanitzsch, Thomas et al. (2011) Mapping journalism cultures across nations: A comparative study of 18 nations. Journalism Studies, 12(3): 273-293.
• Josephi, Beate (2009) Journalists: International profiles. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.), 143-152. Boston: Pearson.
• Tveiten, Oddgeir (2010) Theorizing innovation journalism - notes from the classroom. Innovation Journalism 7(10). Available from www.innovationjournalism.org/archive/injo-7-10.pdf. (22 pp.)
• Waisbord, Silvio R. (2013) Reinventing professionalism: Journalim and news in global perspective. Cambridge: Polity Press. Pp. 19-42.
• Weaver, David H. and Lars Willnat (2012) Journalists in the 21st century: Conclusions. In David H. Weaver and Lars Willnat (eds.), The global journalist in the 21st century, 529-551. New York: Routledge.

b) Journalism in Western Europe. Particular focus on new media challenges

Readings:

• Metykova, Monika (2008) Drifting apart? European journalists and their audiences. Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture 5(2): 42-59.
• Scott, Byron T. (2009) Western Europe. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global  journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),183-213. Boston: Pearson. (National media profiles pp. 192-211 not included. Total reading 11 pp.)
• Weiss, Amy Schmitz and Joyce, Vanessa de Macedo Higgins (2009) Compressed dimensions in digital media occupations. Journalism 10(5): 587-603.

c) Journalism in Eastern Europe. Particular focus on reporting in transitional risk societies

Readings:

• Andresen, Kenneth (2009) Producing "protocol news" in Kosovo's public broadcaster: Journalism in a transitional risk society. Conflict & Communication Online 8(2). Available from www.cco.regener-online.de/2009_2/pdf/andresen.pdf. (16 pp.)
• Palmer, Allen W. (2009) Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and Russia. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),214-252. Boston: Pearson. (National media profiles pp. 216-228 and 233-242 not inluded. Total reading 19 pp.)

d) Journalism in the Middle East and North Africa. Particular focus on blogging

Readings:

• Khondker, Habibul Haque (2011) Role of the new media in the Arab Spring. Globalizations 8(5): 675-679.
• Najjar, Orayb Aref (2009) The Middle East and North Africa. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),253-292. Boston: Pearson. (National media profiles pp. 256-280 not inluded. Total reading 16 pp.)
• Ogola, George (2014) (Re-)framing the "quality" debate: The Arab media and its future journalism. In Peter J. Anderson, George Ogola and Michael Williams (eds.), The future of quality journalism: A cross-continental analysis, 282-296. London: Routledge.
• Sakr, Naomi (2013) Transformations in Egyptian journalism. London: I.B. Tauris. Pp. 41-48

e) Journalism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Particular focus on journalistic corruption

Readings:

• Ibelema, Minabere and Tanja Bosch (2009) Sub-Saharan Africa. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),293-336. Boston: Pearson. (National media profiles pp. 301-311 not inluded. Total reading 33 pp.)
• Skjerdal, Terje (2010) Research on brown envelope journalism in the African media. African Communication Research 3(3): 367-406.

f) Journalism in Asia, Australia and the Pacific. Particular focus on development journalism

Readings:

• Quinn, Stephen and John Tidey (2009) Australasia. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),400-408. Boston: Pearson.
• Xu, Xiaoge (2009) Development journalism. In Karin Wahl-Jørgensen and Thomas  Hanitzsch (eds.), The handbook of  journalism studies, 357-370. New York: Routledge.
• Yin, Jiafei (2009) Asia and the Pacific. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),337-399. Boston: Pearson. (Regional media profiles pp. 345-361, 365-373 and 391-394 not included. Total reading 35 pp.)

g) Journalism in Latin America. Particular focus on populist journalism

Readings:

• Rockwell, Rick (2009) Latin America. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),409-431. Boston: Pearson.
• Waisbord, Silvio (2012) Democracy, journalism, and Latin American populism. Journalism 14(4): 504-521.
• Waisbord, Silvio (2013) Media policies and the blindspots of media globalization: Insights from Latin America. Media, Culture & Society 35(1): 132-138.

h) Journalism in North America. Particular focus on citizen journalism

Readings:

• Allan, Stuart (2009) Histories of citizen journalism. In Stuart Allan and Einar Thorsen (eds.), Citizen journalism. Global perspectives, 17-32. New York: Peter Lang.
• Briggs, William (2009) North America. In Arnold S. de Beer (ed.), Global  journalism: Topical issues and media systems (5th ed.),432-466. Boston: Pearson.
• Holton, Avery E., Mark Coddington and Homero Gil de Zúñiga (2013) Whose news? Whose values? Citizen journalism and journalistic values through the lens of content creators and consumers. Journalism Practice 7(6): 720-737.

GJ 301.2: Media systems

a) Introduction to media systems

• Flew, Terry and Silvio Waisbord (2015) The ongoing significance of national media systems in the context of media globalization. Media, Culture & Society, forthcoming (17 pp.)
• Hallin, Daniel C. and Paolo Mancini (2004) Comparing media systems: Three models of media and politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pp. 1-45.
• Obijiofor, Levi and Folker Hanusch (2011) Journalism across cultures: An introduction. Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. Pp. 13-36.

b) Western models

• Hallin, Daniel C. and Paolo Mancini (2004) Comparing media systems: Three models of media and politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Pp. 66-86.
• Hardy, Jonathan (2008) Western media systems. London: Routledge. Pp. 1-21.

c) Media systems beyond the Western world

• De Albuquerque, Afonso (2012) On models and margins: Comparative media models viewed from a Brazilian perspective. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 72-95. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Hadland, Adrian (2012) Africanizing three models of media and politics: The South African experience. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 96-118. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Hallin, Daniel C. and Paolo Mancini (2012) Introduction. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 1-10. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Hallin, Daniel C. and Paolo Mancini (2012) Conclusion. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 278–304. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Kraidy, Marwan M. (2012) The rise of transnational media systems: Implications of Pan-Arab media for comparative research. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 177-200. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Vartanova, Elena (2012) The Russian media model in the context of post-Soviet dynamics.In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 119-142. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Voltmer, Karin (2012) How far can media systems travel? Applying Hallin and Mancini's comparative framework outside the Western world. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 224-245. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Zhao, Yuezhi (2012) Understanding China's media system in a world historical context. In Daniel C. Hallin and Paolo Mancini (eds.), Comparing media systems beyond the Western world, 143-173. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.