In 2015-16 Russian government and media have been accused of ‘hacking the Western democracy’ and ‘propagating the Kremlin ideas in the West’. Russian broadcasters such as RT have been increasingly influential on global arena, causing ‘a crisis of journalism’ and ‘the arrival of the post-truth era’. The course provides an in-depth analysis of the structure of Russian media, paying special attention to transgressive media strategies such as trolling, hacking, and pirating, as well as considering other forms of subversion such as ‘queer’ media. Students will acquire knowledge about Russian media, society and government and their relationship with the world. Students will conduct their own media projects closely examining Russian media. No knowledge of the Russian language is required to take the course.     

The course will take place as an intensive course. Teaching will take place in the evenings, except on Fridays. 

The course will be taught in English; the course will be taught following the British academic tradition with a lot of focus on discussion, critical thinking and individual work.

No knowledge of the Russian language is required to take this course. Some Russian terms will be introduced and explained by the course leader. Social, political and cultural setting for Russian media will be introduced by the lecturer. Guidance on how to write academic essays in English will be provided.

The course will be beneficial for students with background in Russian Studies, Politics, Communication, Media, Journalism, Intercultural Communication, Visual Studies, and Eastern European Studies; however, students with background in other disciplines are also welcome. 

Vlad Strukov is Associate Professor in Digital Culture in  University of Leeds, UK.

The course is organized in cooperation with Aleksanteri Institute's Russian and East European Master's School.

By NettiOpsu.

Kurssi on avoin kaikille yliopiston opiskelijoille.
Lectures are free and open to all university students.

Huom! Journalistiikan opiskelija, joka on jo suorittanut JOVTS7:n voi silti osallistua tämän vuoden luentosarjalle. Tällöin suoritus merkitään maisteriopintojen kohtaan JOUJOVTS Vapaavalintaiset journalistiikan erikoistumisopinnot.

Lecture programme:

10.1.2018 Journalistic and cultural agenda in the age of platforms
Jussi Pullinen

17.1.2018 Fake and counter news
Ilmari Hiltunen, Elina Noppari, Jussi Pullinen - University of Tampere

24.1.2018 Digital transformation in local media
Noora Pinjamaa, The Finnish Media Federation / Aalto

31.1.2018 Hybrid media, algorithms and viral events
Salla-Maaria Laaksonen / University of Helsinki

7.2.2018 Community: the crisis in trust and - how can journalists adapt?
Jussi Pullinen

14.2.2018 Tightening privacy and regulation in the EU
Hannu Hallamaa, The Union of Journalists in Finland

21.2.2018 Four scenarios for journalism in the new media landscape
Jussi Pullinen

The course consists of 10 lectures in the class (20 hours), including 3 guest lectures (6 hours). The students will develop a better understanding of how and why mass media play an important instrumental role in influencing Russia’s domestic and foreign relations in a globalized world.

Preliminary programme

• Lecture 1 (2h) Introduction to Russian domestic and foreign new media landscape
• Lecture 2 (2h) The role of mainstream and alternative mass media in Russia
• Lecture 3 (2h) Media legislation and internet governance in Russia
• Lecture 4 (2h) Strategies of agenda-setting for foreign and domestic audience
• Lecture 5 (2h) The evolution of Russian online media
• Lecture 6 (2h) Russian blogosphere and its regulation
• Lecture 7 (2h) Social media and new forms of journalism
• Lecture 8 (2h) Russian strategic online communication during global media events and issues
• Lecture 9 (2h) Russian soft power and the mediated public diplomacy
• Lecture 10 (2h) Information security and digital communication networks

Course assessment includes active participation in the lectures, 10 pages of individual lecture diary, and 10 page of collaborative essays (2-3 students as co-authors).

NettiOpsu.

The course is organized in cooperation with Aleksanteri Institute's Russian and East European Master's School.