• Puppis Manuel

• Kanse Evert
• Kulig Michelle Patricia

Platforms such as YouTube, Facebook or TikTok are not only changing the production, distribution and use of media content, but have also triggered a new structural transformation of the public sphere. Moreover, artificial intelligence systems are increasingly used for the generation and distribution of content. These developments offer many opportunities for democratic societies. At the same time, they pose unprecedented challenges, such as the spread of disinformation, the reinforcement of structural inequalities, or new forms of algorithmic opinion power. Accordingly, societies have to consider their options in order to shape digitalization in a way that is compatible with democracy. These options include both the governance by and of platforms, thus ranging from technological design to European regulations.

In this seminar, we will focus on specific problems and related solutions. Following an introduction to the topic and relevant theories, students will write their seminar papers and during the first part of the semester. By way of feedback on a paper proposal and regular check-ins, students will receive close mentoring during the writing process. In the second part of the semester, students will then present their papers and engage in group works and discussions, deepening their understanding of the implications of a rapidly changing public sphere for media and democracy.

1. You independently develop in-depth knowledge about the structural transformation of the public sphere, the opportunities and challenges of platforms, algorithms and artificial intelligence for public communication, as well as the available governance options.
2. You are capable of finding, understanding, interpreting, and critically reflecting on existing research on the subject matter.
3. You learn to draw your own conclusions from theory and state of research and to convey your knowledge and insights in presentations, discussions, and a seminar paper.

The registration for the seminar paper must be done separately: Register for the seminar paper on MyUnifr under 'Course Registration'.

Präsentation und Beteiligung in Gruppenarbeiten und Diskussionen.

Seminar with continuous evaluation: after the registration period, you can no longer withdraw from the registration (see session calendar on the faculty website).

The registration for the seminar paper must be done separately: Register for the seminar paper on MyUnifr under 'Course Registration