Admission requirements
This elective course is exclusively for students of the Minor Disinformation and Strategic Communication in Global Media. For this course, no language skills other than English are required to work with the study materials.
Description
The regional electives in block 1 and 2 focus on information dissemination and power structures in local media landscapes.
In this regional elective, students will familiarize themselves with the contemporary media landscape in South and Southeast Asia, and learn to assess both the reliability of and trust in different media platforms and sources. Using a case-study approach, students will analyse the different ways by which media is used, if not attacked, by those in positions of power and conversely, as a tool for dissent and speaking truth to power.
The media environment in South and Southeast Asia is rapidly evolving. The rise of digital media, particularly social media and streaming services, has changed the rules of the game, compelling not only traditional media, but also a wide array of actors and institutions to adapt. In the realm of politics, the media is an indispensable element. From Duterte (Philippines) to Jokowi (Indonesia), Sheik Hasina (Bangladesh) to Modi (India), political figures and parties have utilised both conventional and digital media to advance their campaigns, secure their positions, or even quash opposition. Meanwhile, the “Spring Revolution” in Myanmar, the youth protest #ReformasiDikorupsi (the reform was corrupted) in Indonesia, the #MilkTeaAlliance across several countries in Asia, and the #MeToo and #IWillGoOut campaigns in India have leveraged digital platforms to expose and oppose misconduct, or mobilise support for their respective causes.
In this course, students will explore relevant themes and concepts, ranging from media framing and agenda-setting, censorship and repression, mobilisation and digital activism, as well as feminist, queer, and decolonial perspectives in media analysis and research. To gain a deeper understanding of these themes and concepts, students will work individually and in small groups to examine illustrative cases from a number of South and Southeast Asian countries. By the end of the course, students will have learned to unpack the intricate relationship between the media, power, and protest in South and Southeast Asia.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, students will have acquired:
insight into the evolution and workings of the contemporary media landscape in South and Southeast Asia;
the ability to critically reflect on the use of different forms of contested information in South and Southeast Asia;
an in-depth understanding of the interrelationship between the media, power, and dissent in South and Southeast Asia;
methodological skills to assess and analyse the reliability of and trust in different media platforms and information in South and Southeast Asia;
experience in developing and presenting a small research project in written and oral form, individually and in small groups.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
- Seminar.
Assessment method
Assessment
Paper / writing assignment
Oral presentation
Active participation in class
Regular, punctual attendance, thorough preparation of the reading materials, and active participation in plenary discussions are also expected.
Attendance is compulsory. Missing more than one tutorial means that students will be excluded from the tutorials. Unauthorized absence also applies to being unprepared, not participating and/or not bringing the relevant course materials to class.
Weighing
Paper / writing assignment: 60%; minimum grade required: 5,5
Oral presentation: 20%
In-class exercises and participation: 20%
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average combined with additional requirements. The additional requirement is a minimum of a 5,5 for the final paper. To pass the course, the weighted average of the partial grades must be 5.5 or higher.
Resit
A resit is only possible for the final paper.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organised.
Reading list
- Reading materials will be made available on Brightspace.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Arsenaal.
Remarks
Not applicable.