JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "CMS 310" COURSE NAME: "Media and Cultural Analysis: Decolonizing Media Studies" SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2026

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Marie Moise EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: MW 1:30 PM 2:45 PM TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: EN 110 with a grade of C or above; COM 220 recommended OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: From Andre Bazin’s analysis of de Sica’s Bicycle Thieves to Roland Barthes’ interpretation of a photo of a black soldier on the cover of Paris Match magazine, close readings of media texts have long been a valued aspect of the field of communications. This course offers students the unique opportunity to critically analyze a single, notable media text—be it an album, a TV series, a graphic novel, etc.—and explore in detail the expressive significance, the artistic merit, the social impact and influence, the cultural embeddedness, and associated historical, technological and aesthetic considerations. The course will focus on some of the dominant critical perspectives that have contributed to our understanding of these media texts and their role in society, and investigate this media through a variety of theories and methods.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: What is the role of the media in the colonial construction of the racialized/colonized Other? How do racialized/colonized subjects relate to the media to contest their conditions of material and symbolic subalternity? What does it mean to decolonize media and their power of representation? The work of the Martinican psychiatrist, activist and philosopher Frantz Fanon - a primary reference in critical decolonial and race theories - offers a rich theoretical and practical toolbox to address these questions. The course provides an introduction to the work and thought of Frantz Fanon with a specific focus on his analyses of language, media representations, and the entanglement of racism, culture, and cultural artifacts, leading to their subversion from a decolonial perspective. The first part of the course will be focused on the relationship between media and coloniality, tracing real and virtual dialogues between Fanon and other critical thinkers on race. The second part will address Fanon's perspectives on decolonization of media tools and texts, both in the writings of the Martinican philosopher and in those inspired by him, by examining the past to understand the contemporary world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: From Andre Bazin’s analysis of de Sica’s Bicycle Thieves to Roland Barthes’ interpretation of a photo of a black soldier on the cover of Paris Match magazine, close readings of media texts have long been a valued aspect of the field of communications. This course offers students the unique opportunity to critically analyze a single, notable media text—be it an album, a TV series, a graphic novel, etc.—and explore in detail the expressive significance, the artistic merit, the social impact and influence, the cultural embeddedness, and associated historical, technological and aesthetic considerations. The course will focus on some of the dominant critical perspectives that have contributed to our understanding of these media texts and their role in society, and investigate this media through a variety of theories and methods.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase Hate speech and abusive behaviour on social media: A cross-cultural perspective (Critical Media Studies) Luiz Valério P Trindade Vernon Press ‎ 979-8881901370

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Speak Up: Make Your Way Amandine Gay Arte Editions       Stonebreakers Valerio Ciriaci Awen Films       RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight Shorter Assignments Connecting Reading to Class (Annotations, etc.) A short exercise will be assigned at the end of every class. It will involve an active articulation of the key concepts explained during the lesson 15% Mid-term Exam Open-ended questions. The Mid-term exam will cover the material up to the week prior to the exam. 30% Attendance and Participation ou should come to class prepared to discuss the readings and to make meaningful and sustained contributions to class discussions. 10% Oral Exam Prepare a presentation about your research and critical analysis work 15% Final Exam Writing a media content critical analysis through the lens of the notions of the course 30% -ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course. BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments. CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings. DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail. FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant. -ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS: From Andre Bazin’s analysis of de Sica’s Bicycle Thieves to Roland Barthes’ interpretation of a photo of a black soldier on the cover of Paris Match magazine, close readings of media texts have long been a valued aspect of the field of communications. This course offers students the unique opportunity to critically analyze a single, notable media text—be it an album, a TV series, a graphic novel, etc.—and explore in detail the expressive significance, the artistic merit, the social impact and influence, the cultural embeddedness, and associated historical, technological and aesthetic considerations. The course will focus on some of the dominant critical perspectives that have contributed to our understanding of these media texts and their role in society, and investigate this media through a variety of theories and methods.

ACADEMIC HONESTY As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

Week 1 -Introduction to the Course: Key-Words for Decolonial media Studies Week 2 -The Coloniality of Media Power Week 3 -Structural Colonial Violence and Media as Colonial Trauma Tools Week 4 - Media as Colonial Empire's Infrastructure. When the Colonial Medium is the Colonial Message Week 5 Counter-challenges to colonial visuality. Must all monuments fall? Week 6 - Framing Mis/representations. Can the Subaltern Speak? Week 7 - Review and Midterm Exam Week 8 - Seeing white in Media Week 9 - Who Gets to Be News? Racism, Newsworthiness, and Media Framing Week 10 - Mediatizing Racial violence Week 11 - Dismantling the Logics of Colonial Platforms Week 12 - The oppositional Gaze Week 13 - AI and Coloniality of Power . Decolonizing AI Week 14 - Catch up, conclusions, review for final exam.