This module is inactive in the selected year. The information shown below is for the academic year that the module was last running in, prior to the year selected.
2012/13 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
COMM5500M Public Diplomacy, Propaganda and Psychological Operations
30 creditsClass Size: 60
Module manager: Dr Robin Brown
Email: r.c.m.brown@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2012/13
This module is not approved as an Elective
Objectives
On completion of this module, students will be able to:- understand the different types of official information deployment employed by nation states to achieve national objectives abroad;
- distinguish between 'news' and 'propaganda';
- identify the differences between "black", "white" and "grey" propaganda;
- understand the imperatives for the state conduct of public diplomacy, propaganda and psychological operations in a turbulent international environment.
Syllabus
This module examines the means by which nation states conduct informational activities in support of their foreign policy objectives. The course analyses the role of international broadcasting (radio and television), the relationship of news to propaganda and other forms of targeted persuasion activities which have emerged since the end of the Cold War, especially psychological operations or PSYOPS.
At the moment, the latter activity is conducted at the tactical, or operational, level in support of peace-keeping, humanitarian and other operations involving the use of national and multinational armed forces (as in Somalia, Haiti or the former Yugoslavia).
At the wider strategic level, public diplomacy is used as an adjunct to foreign policy and through an examination of the BBC World Service, the Voice of America, Radio Moscow and Radio Beijing, different applications and roles of external "information" services will be assessed in terms of journalistic ethics, approaches to the "truth" and "public service" broadcasting for overseas audiences.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Practical | 2 | 1.00 | 2.00 |
| Seminar | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 267.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 33.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 300.00 | ||
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 1 x 3,000 word essay | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Exams
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 2 hr | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 50.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 22/05/2012
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD