This course is designed to comparatively assess media systems in two different political and economic contexts. In the spring of 2015, the course will appraise the media systems of the U.S. and South Africa. Each context will be viewed as a political, economic and communication system.
Students will evaluate media vis-à-vis each system’s history and will analyze the functions of the mass media in the respective contexts. Though understanding the theory and practices of other media systems is an important end in itself, as it may foster greater awareness of other cultures, a crucial motive of this course is to ensure that students have a better appreciation of the U.S. media system.