Internet Politics

Description

The internet as it stands today has traversed every aspect of human interactions and society. It has changed the way political parties’ campaign; citizen engage or transnational networks are built and promoted while raising concerns of privacy and surveillance of online activities. It has overturned the traditional structure of mass media by allowing individuals to manufacture and broadcast content. Social media outlets such as YouTube, MySpace or Blogger now pose a direct threat to the traditional mode of journalism. There is an emergence of new digital public sphere where indigenous cultures, religious groups or to political activists have new possibilities to express, negotiate and share their concern.

This course aims to examine the internet - and its effect on politics around the world by focusing on four different themes: Governance, Culture, Religion and Public Policy. The students will receive hands-on knowledge with the help of case studies, reading material and feature films.

Background

This course is offered as a part of three year cooperation project between University of Erfurt and Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Peshawar. The project, Social Media in Muslim Countries – Reviewing Curricular Trends in Pakistani Universities is funded by German Academic Exchange Service. The course is a first joint activity between both universities and is taught by lecturers from both the partner institutions. 10 graduate students from University of Peshawar will join the students from University of Erfurt to take part in this course.

Course Design

The course will be jointly taught by a team of lecturers from both the partner institutions. It will take place in a format of block seminar from 22.06.2012 to 30.06.2012. Students from both the partner institutions will focus on a number of case studies, reading material and feature films. Students from Erfurt University will be welcomed to earn either 3LP or 6LP (credit points).

Lecturers

Prof. Dr. Jamal Malik (Chair, Muslim Cultural and Religious History, University of Erfurt)
Hasnain Bokhari (Research Associate, Social Media Project, University of Erfurt)
Dr. Altaf Ullah Khan (Chair, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Peshawar)
Dr. Ayub Jan (Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar)
Bakht Zaman (Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Peshawar)
Naeem Gul (Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Peshawar)

Student Limit
15 Students

Dates                         
22.06.2012 – 30.06.2012

Course Book

Two Week Activity Plan