Kursinformation

“It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind, who harness old social forces and contrive new ways 
to bind and guide the world” (Edward Bernays, Propaganda)
The course analyzes how internet is redefining contemporary democracy focusing in particular on the recent 
phenomena of public opinion conditioning, on the decline of intermediate bodies with the related marginalization 
of experts, on the info-wars waged by organized groups and at times autocratic foreign governments, on freedom 
of expression in the social media and on who should set its limits (if any). The seminar will include not only weekly 
discussion sessions, but also a workshop towards the end of the semester. 
The course presupposes active participation and preparation before the sessions. Students are required to 
select three texts from the workshop presentations and prepare questions and comments in advance that 
they will present after the invited talks. In addition to colloquium presentations, students are required to write 
a 10-15 pages final paper on a topic relevant to the course, or to take a final oral exam.