Dr Nick Anstead, Dr Omar Al-Ghazzi & Dr Dylan Mulvin
How do we understand the role of media and communication in an era increasingly defined by international conflict and domestic instability? How does the increased use of social media for news and communication connect with the rise of populist politicians, democratic back-sliding, and contemporary warfare?
This course places social media, fake news, and artificial intelligence at the heart of debates on political dysfunction and instability. You will explore how populist leaders like Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, and Giorgia Meloni use communication strategies, how global powers like the US and China deploy public diplomacy to advance their interests, and the role of communication and propaganda in modern warfare.
Through diverse theoretical approaches and global case studies, you will critically examine how media shapes political power, cultural narratives, and globalisation. The course also investigates how popular culture – films, TV and video games – reflects and influences political moments, offering new insights into contemporary crises.
By the end of the course, you will have the tools to analyse and address the complex role media plays in today’s interconnected world.