Media are simply tools of communication from a printed word to a music note. When thinking globally, media is also meta-language, meaning it is not language specific but can operate across cultures through signs and symbols that are relevant to many languages. An important part of this course is gaining global media fluency to better understand communication in France and Europe specifically.
American media has existing associations and authority to Americans
Global media below aim for a global audience
Numbers above are for live viewers of the channels and readers of the print edition
How can our personal thinking both inform and limit our approach to media?
As educated adults, we receive most messages with a pre-existing degree of familiarity. We recognize the label on a Coca-Cola and already know what the contents are like. We are informed receivers. The same informed perspective can also overdetermine a message, meaning that what we expect can determine how we receive a message and possibly cause us to limit or ignore certain messages. Part of living and learning in Europe is exposure to new media in different languages, preventing the normal practice of overdetermination.
American stereotypes about European media include old fashioned, bizarre, nudity, intellectual and soccer. Clockwise from left traditional Polka, the American Borat, Self Service magazine, The Medici Library talk show and the World Cup.
What are some common American perceptions of European media?
Many Americans immediately think of European media as more restrained, serious and intellectual. Europeans are also seen as more liberal with nudity and the arts. While there is evidence for these perceptions, the EU actually has nation specific regulations that means the media vary from country to country.
Our approach combines an expanding global perspective and media theory.
Media Theory is not American. Below clockwise from top left Karl Marx, Jean Baudrillard, Jacques Derrida, Marshall McLuhan, Roland Barthes in Center.
The European Media Landscape, Southern & Northern Europe
For the first section of the class we will simply get a lay of the land and look at regional differences and similarities across Europe.
Political Uses
We will look at how media can be used to promote political groups and the privacy regulations in France.
Scandal & Misinformation
These are examples of campaigns to stop scandal and misinformation.
Economics
Whoever pays for media supports its agenda.
The American film Network represents privately funded media. European networks were traditionally state funded but commercial funding has increased.
Economics of Advertising
We will look specifically at European advertising in print, television and the internet, some from international companies such as Nike, Lego and others.
Social & Cultural Dynamics
Because the EU includes different nationalities, languages and faiths, conflict is ever present.
Parisian riots in 2005
The Culture Industry
We will look at the importation of American media to Europe, the dubbing business and re-creation of foreign films.
"I think we were directly or indirectly responsible for the fall of the Soviet empire," Larry Hagman on the television show Dallas coming to Eastern Europe.
European Entertainment Media
Cannes Film Festival
Sports & Tourism Media
Formula 1 in Monte Carlo is a major media event with drivers that are the most sponsored athletes in the world. Above Ferrari CEO discusses the event.
Music & Fashion Media
The world's most watched music television show.
Global Trends in Media
Pepsi's Worldwide Wordless Logo
New Media
Spain's Social Network site is invitation only and larger than Facebook
Media Research
You will choose a research topic related to French and European media. You may consider a historic topic, for which you can use your birth year as a starting place for checking events. There are many other options.
Sarkozy, or any previous French leader, and the media
Any major French or European news network or web news resource
Any major French or European entertainment network or news resource
Al Jazeera in France
Advertising regulations in France and Europe
Paparazzi in France, or Europe
Formula One Media
The World Cup Media
The Cannes Film Festival
New trends in Reality TV in France or Europe
The Old Guard / European Royalty and the Media
The Swedish Royal Family bestow the Nobel Prize in a ceremony covered by countless global media
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