Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Media and Public Opinion
Other languages of instruction: English, Spanish,
Teaching staff
Introduction
The course Media and Public Opinion aims to develop students’ awareness of the influence of the media on citizens, with particular emphasis on the local, national, and global media landscape, the ownership and funding of media groups, and the fundamental role that the media play in political processes and systems.
Pre-course requirements
No.
Objectives
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To define the concept of “public opinion”.
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To differentiate between media outlets and media groups.
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To acquire an overview of the local media landscape, identifying the media group to which each outlet belongs and the individuals who control each group.
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To acquire a global perspective on the impact of the media in contemporary societies.
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To define basic concepts in the sociological study of the media.
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To discover the relationship established between the media and institutions.
Syllabus
- To define the concept of public opinion.
- To distinguish between media outlets and media groups: the local, national, and international media landscape.
- To examine mass communication and the role of the media in contemporary society.
- To analyse the relationship between the media and public opinion in democratic and authoritarian regimes, including the concept of opinion democracy.
- To analyse the relationship between the media and electoral processes; to distinguish between public opinion and voting behaviour; and to interpret opinion polls, including their objectives and design.
- To examine cultural identities, the media, media commentators, and ideology.
Bibliography and resources
Adamo, O; Garcia, V; Freidenberg, F. (2007). Medios de comunicación y opinión pública. McGraw-Hill.
Berrio, Jordi (1990). L'opinió pública i la democràcia. Editorial Pòrtic.
Borrat, Hector (1989). El periódico, actor político. Editorial Gili.
Colomé,G. (2020). Silencio, se vota. Editorial Comares.
García Santamaría, J. V., Pérez-Serrano, M. J. (2024). Grupos de comunicación españoles: final de etapa. Editorial UOC.
Toural Bran, C., López García, X. (2019). Ecosistema de cibermedios en España: Tipologías, iniciativas, tendencias narrativas y desafíos. Comunicación Social, Ediciones y Publicaciones.