6 ECTS credits
150 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4022169ENR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Communication Sciences
Educational team
Luciano Morganti (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
124 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The course focuses on the European Public Sphere (EPS) and the EU Information and Communication policy and analyses their evolution, development and setbacks in the context of the EU multilevel governance structure. 

The course is divided into 5 main conceptual units:

The European Union Decision Making Process and Participatory Mechanisms
After a short introduction to the raison d’être of the EU, in this part the supranational and intergovernmental dimension of the EU will be put into perspective with the different decision making mechanisms of the EU (EU policy modes). Theories of EU Integration will be discussed in relation to the European Pubic Sphere and the EU Information and Communication Policy.

The European Public Sphere
In this part of the course the European Public Sphere will be put into context and theoretical aspects of the Public Sphere and the European Public Sphere will be confronted with the reality of its implementation in the European Multilevel governance structure. Issues of multiple European identities and cultures, different ideas of citizenship, different democratic systems, different models of participation, the complex relationship between media and political systems will be discussed. Theories of the Public Sphere and of the European Public Sphere will be discussed and analyzed.

The European Media landscape
This part will take into consideration the evolving European Media landscape in the context of EU integration. The issue of European Media VS Europeanisation of Media will be discussed. This unit will also propose a critical analysis of the history, development, role and importance of European Media in the context of the EPS and European integration.

The European Union Information and Communication policy
will considered the birth, development and evolution of the European Information and communication policy and its declinations in policy papers, actions and programmes. The challenges of communicating and informing about the EU in the EU will be also discussed. Specific case-studies will be used to illustrate successes and failures of the EU institutional approach to information and communication.

Main current debates and critical issues for the European Public Sphere
The last module of the course (which will be articulated along the course) will be dedicated to debate critical aspects and issues for the European Public sphere and Citizens’ participation. The topics debated will be related to current policy priorities and developments, relevant political issues and developments, EU integration issues, and EU current debates. Possible topics might be: the European approach to disinformation and fake news, Brexit, a critical analysis of the EU consultation mechanisms, the European Citizens Initiative, the role of European Political Parties and the relationship between the European Parliament and the national ones, the growing role and importance of populist parties in the EU integration process. Guest Speakers will also be invited to present and discuss these critical issues.

The course will cover, amongst other, the following topics:

  • The EU decision making process;
  • The main theories of EU integration;
  • The main theories of the Public Sphere and the European Public Sphere;
  • The EU Information and Communication policy and the role and responsibilities of the (main) EU institutions;
  • The EU public sphere(s) and its state of the art and challenges ahead;
  • The role and interplay of EU governance and EU citizenship and identity building in the making of a critical EU Public Sphere;
  • The EU as a participative and deliberative polity;
  • Specific topics, themes and case-studies related to the topics above might be included according to the EU Institutional agenda and the development of the EU integration process and its policies and actions.
Additional info

Course Material

Selected chapters of:

  1. Wallace H., Pollack MA, Young AR (Eds), (2010, Sixth Edition), Policy-Making in the European Union, Oxford University Press. 
  2. Morganti L, Bekemans L (Eds), (2012), The European Public Sphere -  From Critical Thinking to Responsible Action, PIE Peter Lang, Brussels.
  3. Selected academic and research articles as well as policy and institutional documents will be presented, analysed and commented during the classes. Students will be required to read and critically assess them before the classes. They will also constitute part of the readings for the exams.
  4. During the classes, press and academic articles and books chapters will be commented and analysed. They will also constitute material for the final exams.

Students might be asked to present, individually or by groups, critical reflections about specific aspect of the EPS and the EU Information and Communication policy.

The classes are illustrated with Prezi and/or PPT presentations, which outlines and summarizes the course and contain the main concepts and theories and discuss.

Teaching Methods

The course uses a mix of ex-cathedra lectures (given by the course titularis and, when possible, guest speakers) and interactive sessions in which students (or groups of students) might be asked to present critical reflections on selected topics related to the course.

Students will be invited and asked to present their own reflections and thoughts about the topics addressed in the course. 

Indicative workload: 

Lectue: 26 hours (13 x 2 hours)

SELF: 124 hours

  • Reading of literature before coming to class, amounting to 2 hours per lecture: 26 hours (13 x 2 hours)
  • Keeping up with the course material during the semester, amounting to 2 hours per lecture: 26 hours (13 x 2 hours)
  • Preparation written paper/preparation of critical assessments of literatures and material distributed during the courses: 40 hours (5 days of 8 hours)
  • Preparation oral exam: 32 hours (4 days of 8 hours)
Learning Outcomes

General Competences

The course contributes to the following Masters’ learning outcomes:

  • Students show in-depth knowledge, understanding and insight within the field of communication sciences and in relation to the latest evolutions and discussions at both the national and international level.
  • Students demonstrate the ability to critically contextualise and evaluate current national and international developments and discussions, and are able to independently deepen insights related to complex problems on the basis of an original framework of analysis, thereby expanding the theoretical basis related to their own fields of interest.
  • Students show an open and constructive attitude whilst having respect for other views and beliefs.
  • Students are open to scientific doubt and societal pluralism. They demonstrate courage, ambition and perseverance in questioning both established insights and alternative points of view.
  • Students act upon an open attitude in a culturally diverse international context. They critically reflect on their own (geographical, social, cultural, local, personal, …) position.
  • Students demonstrate the skill to discuss and debate current societal and scientific topics and theoretical developments within the field of communication studies. The students discuss issues on the basis of critical and substantiated reflections and research findings, open-mindedly and willing to acknowledge other arguments.

The overall goal of this course is to give the students a comprehensive and in-depth insight into the EU Public Sphere, European Media Landscape and EU Information and Communication Policy in the complex context of the EU multilevel governance structure. The course will also provide the students with key EU information sources and tools and with specific current case studies.

After taking this course students will be able to understand and discuss:

  • The EU Decision Making Process and the main DMP procedures
  • The main theories of EU integration and the multilevel governance approach specific to the EU construction
  • The EU Information and Communication policy and the role and responsibilities of the main EU institutions
  • The EU public sphere(s) and its state of the art and challenges ahead
  • The role and interplay of EU governance and EU citizenship and identity building in the making of a critical EU Public Sphere
  • The challenges and shortcomings of the EPS and EU Information and Communication policy in the context of the EU multilevel governance supranational structure
  • EU participatory model
  • Specific ad hoc themes related to the list above

Specifically, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge about the fields and topics above and a critical mind set to the concepts and topics discussed.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 90% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 10% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Oral Exam with a relative weight of 90 which comprises 90% of the final mark.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Presence + Interaction with a relative weight of 10 which comprises 10% of the final mark.

    Note: Presence and critical interaction during the classes

Additional info regarding evaluation

Students will be evaluated according to 2 main criteria:

  1. Presence and critical interaction during the classes - 10%
  2. An oral final exam where the students will have to answer questions related to the entirety of the programme and the material indicated during the classes - 90%

In order to pass the course, students need to comply with the 2 evaluation criteria specified above. Only students who have been present and participated in the class (point n. 1 above) can sit the oral exam (point n. 2 above).

Second sit exam will be subject to the same modus operandi. Only students complying with point 1 can participate in the second sit of the oral final exam (point n.2 above).

 

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Communication Studies: Digital Media in Europe
Master of Communication Studies: Journalism and Media in Europe