Students will gain new knowledge and general understanding of the character of change in Russia seen through the developments of media and journalism. This will raise their interest in Russian studies in the context of global challenges.

The course offers students basic knowledge of post-communist transformation of Russian media and journalism, including new alternative media, and discusses their conflicting roles in contemporary Russia within a global context, including BRICS. The lectures are mainly based on recent international projects funded by Academy of Finland.

Teachers: Emeritus Professor Kaarle Nordenstreng (2h), Visiting Professor Elena Vartanova, Moscow State University (4h), Docent Svetlana Pasti (6h), Researcher Dmitry Yagodin (6h), and Researcher Saara Ratilainen (2h)

In NettiOpsu by 13 February. Max 30 students.

Course requirements:

-          Active participation in the class and acquaintance with reference readings.

-          Readings and participation in a study group presentation of a selected topic of the course to be agreed with the course instructor.

-          A lecture diary of 8-10 pages (1,5 spacing, 12pt). The diary is not supposed to be a simple summary of the lectures but rather a synthesis of main concepts and ideas from the lectures and related readings as well as personal reflections on the issues covered.

-          An essay of 4-5 pages (1,5 spacing, 12pt). The essay will focus on a topic to be agreed with the course instructor and written individually.

Lectures:

Mon-13-Feb Svetlana Pasti and Kaarle Nordenstreng: Introduction to the course and to Russian media and journalism

Tue-14-Feb Elena Vartanova. Russian media system in the globalized context
Wed-15-Feb Elena Vartanova. Russian media system in the globalized context

Tue-21-Feb Dmitry Yagodin:New media forms and internet governance debate in Russia

Wed-22-Feb Dmitry Yagodin: Russian media coverage of international issues and conflicts

Thu-23-Feb Dmitry Yagodin: Russian soft power and global public diplomacy efforts

Tue-28-Feb Svetlana Pasti: Journalism profession in Russia and BRICS 

Wed-1-Mar Svetlana Pasti:  Gender and journalism in Russia and BRICS     

Thu- 2-Mar Saara Ratilainen:Online lifestyle media and creative networks on the Runet

Fri-3-Mar Study group presentations and discussion moderated by Svetlana Pasti