Course Syllabus

Propaganda, Fakes and Facts: Countering Disinformation

Course description:

How are we to understand the concept of propaganda in modern politics and media? Is the much debated “fake news” another word for propaganda? And is it different from the concept of disinformation? Where does the line go between propaganda and strategic communications? How do journalists and political communicators avoid getting involved in propaganda? Which challenges arise in the light of Russia’s use of disinformation? And what should governments and civil society do to address these challenges?

We gather for a four weeks long workshop to discuss these questions while we at the same time practice and develop our own communication skills. Copenhagen is our base, but we also spend five days in Brussels, Belgium. Both in Copenhagen and in Brussels, we meet political decision makers, professionals in the fields of journalism and political communications, as well as academic experts; we hear about their work and share reflections with them about the questions raised in the class.

At the end of the course, we will develop tools that can be useful in safeguarding society against propaganda, with the current Russian influence campaign as the primary case study. At the same time, we will together define a set of guidelines journalists and political communicators can refer to in order to protect their own practice against propaganda.

The target group for this class are students who see a possible future career in journalism or in political communications, and who have solid writing skills. The class is a hands-on workshop with limited emphasis on theoretical and historical aspects of propaganda, and with the primary focus on producing journalism and political communications. The emphasis on meetings with professionals in journalism and political communications also means that students should feel that conversations about e.g. careers in these areas are of relevance to them.

Course Faculty: Jon Kyst, Ph.D.

Jon Kyst holds an interdisciplinary doctoral degree in Russian and English, for which he studied at the University of Copenhagen, St. Petersburg State University in Russia and Columbia University in New York. He is currently seconded by the Danish Foreign Ministry as an expert in Russian media to the East Strategic Communications Task Force at the EU's diplomatic service (EEAS) Headquarters in Brussels. The Task Force has been tasked by the EU Member States to address Russia’s ongoing disinformation campaigns. Dr. Kyst has been affiliated with DIS since 2003.

Approach to Teaching:

This course relies on in-class participation. Class time will be largely discussion-based, with some lecture and interactive activities. You should read all material prior to class and will be expected to actively participate in both all class discussions and group work. 

Many exercises are done in class and in groups. This means that absence can be disruptive not just for your own work, but also for the class as a whole, so it will not be tolerated (only legitimate exception is documented illness). Absence because of individual travel arrangements is also not an legitimate excuse. If you have already booked tickets for travelling during class hours, or plan to do so, please do not sign up for this class.

Late written work will be deducted a third of a grade point per day it is late.

Expectations of the students:

In order to pass the class, you must:

1. Read all material before the class.
2. Actively participate in discussions of your readings.
3. Be active participants in group work.

Computers and phones are NOT allowed in class unless specifically agreed.

 Assignments: 

Media and Government Communications Simulation Game

The course includes a special simulation game section, in which students work as government communicators and journalists. In the process, we learn about the relationship between media and government; the sources, the leaks, the narratives, the dos and don'ts of government communications and how media stick to critical reporting, also when finding themselves under political pressure.

Schedule of classes:

The schedule is subject to change if necessary with as much notice as possible. Do all readings BEFORE CLASS.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

• Course Enrollment and Grading
• Attendance
• Coursework, Exams, and Final Grade Reports