Course Information
SemesterCourse Unit CodeCourse Unit TitleT+P+LCreditNumber of ECTS CreditsLast Updated Date
1PSIR567Media and National Security3+0+03730.12.2025
Course Details
Language of Instruction English
Level of Course Unit Master's Degree
Department / Program Political Science and International Relations (English) (With Thesis)
Type of Program Formal Education
Type of Course Unit Elective
Course Delivery Method Face To Face
Objectives of the Course This course addresses a significant gap in the literature and provides a comprehensive overview of the principles of effective communication for homeland security before, during, and after disasters, terrorism, and war. We will examine the challenges to communicating in a world altered by the emergence and evolution of new media, the impact of “first informers” on homeland security communications, and the changing roles of the government and traditional media as information gatekeepers. The course contains practical information and advice on communications staffing and planning, working with the media, and real-world examples of good and bad communication strategies and tactics.
Course Content This course will explore a range of key topics such as; Media’s Role in Local Emergency Planning, Disaster Communications in Changing the World; Principles of a Successful Communication Strategy for homeland security; Mass Media Reporting and Voluntarism; Applications of Communication Principles of Emergency Management; The Mass Media and National Security; Human Rights and Media Issues.
Course Methods and Techniques Lecture
Discussion based lecture
Case study
Small group work
Group work
Activities within a Student Body or Research Project
Prerequisites and co-requisities None
Course Coordinator None
Name of Lecturers Prof.Dr. ERCAN SEYHAN ercan.seyhan@hku.edu.tr
Assistants None
Work Placement(s) No

Recommended or Required Reading
Resources 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
Course Notes Bu dersi başarıyla tamamlayan öğrenciler:
ÖÇ1: Suç Mahalli ve Delil Farkındalığı ile ilgili temel kavramları ve teorileri tanımlayın. (PY1: Temel Kavram ve Kuramlar, PY2: Araştırma Yöntemleri, PY3: Güncel Olma)
ÖÇ2: Kanıtın temel yaklaşımları ve perspektiflerinde yetkinlik sergilemek (PY2: Araştırma Yöntemleri, PY5: Bağımsız Çalışma, PY10: Etik),
ÖÇ3: Kanıt zincirinin gözetiminde kullanılan bazı önemli yaklaşımlar hakkında kapsamlı bilgi ve eleştirel anlayışa sahip olmak (PY2: Araştırma Yöntemleri, PY5: Bağımsız Çalışma),
ÖÇ4: Örgütlü ve uluslararası suçların temel tarihçesini belirlemek ve araştırmak için özel beceriler ve analitik araçlar uygulama becerisini sergilemek. (PY2: Araştırma Yöntemleri, PY5: Bağımsız Çalışma, PY7: Sosyal İletişim),
ÖÇ5: Suç mahalli rekonstrüksiyonu ve delil istihbaratı alanındaki temel yaklaşım ve perspektiflerde yetkinlik sergilemek. (PY2: Araştırma Yöntemleri, PY5: Bağımsız Çalışma, PY10: Etik),
ÖÇ6: Ulusal ve Uluslararası Adli Veri (DNA, AFIS vb.) Sistemleri ile ilgili soyut sorunları ve konuları belirleme, kavramsallaştırma ve tanımlama becerisini gösterme ve uluslararası organize suçlar ve terörizmle mücadelede kanıt istihbaratının önemini anlama.
(PY2: Araştırma Yöntemleri, PY4: Disiplinlerarası Çalışma, PY5: Bağımsız Çalışma, PY6: Sorumluluk Alabilme).

Course Category
Social Sciences %100

Planned Learning Activities and Teaching Methods
Activities are given in detail in the section of "Assessment Methods and Criteria" and "Workload Calculation"

Assessment Methods and Criteria
In-Term Studies Quantity Percentage
Assignment 1 % 40
Final examination 1 % 60
Total
2
% 100

 
ECTS Allocated Based on Student Workload
Activities Quantity Duration Total Work Load
Course Duration 15 3 45
Hours for off-the-c.r.stud 15 3 45
Assignments 15 3 45
Presentation 5 3 15
Mid-terms 1 10 10
Practice 2 10 20
Project 1 15 15
Final examination 1 15 15
Total Work Load   Number of ECTS Credits 7 210

 
Course Learning Outcomes: Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
NoLearning Outcomes
1 Understanding the applications of Communication Principles of Emergency Management
2 Demonstrate competency in Media’s Role in Local Emergency Planning
3 Demonstrate an ability to identify Mass Media Reporting and Voluntarism
4 Demonstrate an ability to apply specialized skills and analytical tools for a successful Communication Strategy
5 Demonstrate competency in the role of media in disaster management
6 Demonstrate an ability to identify Applications of Communication Principles of Emergency Management

 
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
WeekTopicsStudy MaterialsMaterials
1 Globalization- National Security (Media-Security Relationship) Tirab Abbkar TİRAB, p.114-151 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
2 Understanding the Media through National Security: Its Theory and Practices Media and National Security - Rhea Abraham, p.1-17. 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
3 National Security and Media: Contextual Interpretation Media and National Security - Rhea Abraham, p.17-45. 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
4 Media and Terrorism -I- Terrorism and Media – A Handbook for Journalists- UNESCO Publications, France, 2017 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
5 Media and Terrorism-II- Terrorism and Media – A Handbook for Journalists- UNESCO Publications, France, 2017 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
6 The Role of Media in Promoting National Security Interests The Role of Media in Promoting National Security Interests, Nicoleta Annemarie MUNTEANU, p.1-11. 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
7 Media in Disaster Management-Media and Disaster Risk Reduction Media and Disaster Risk Reduction:Advances, Challenges and Potentials - Rajib Shaw • Suvendrini Kakuchi , Miki Yamaji 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
8 MIDTERM EXAM
9 The Role of Media in Disaster Management The Role of Media in Disaster Management, R K Dave, p.1-11 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
10 Extrimist Propaganda in Social Media -I- Extrimist Propaganda in Social Media, Michael Erbschole, p.1-22. 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
11 Extrimist Propaganda in Social Media -II- The Social Media and National Security Othello N. Nmah, p.1-20 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
12 The Social Media and National Security The Social Media and National Security Othello N. Nmah, p.25-40 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
13 Human Rights and Media Issues Human Rights and Media Issues Ekaterina Balabanova, p.11-55 1. Disaster Communications in a Changing Media World (George D. Haddow and Kim S.Haddow). 2. Selling War The Role of the Mass Media in Hostile Conflicts from World War I to the ‘War on Terror (Edited by Josef Seethaler, Matthias Karmasin, Gabriele Melischek, and Romy Wöhlert). 3. Media and National Security, Rhea Abraham 4. How Political Actors Use the Media, A Functional Analysis of the Media’s Role in Politics (Peter Van Aelst · Stefaan Walgrave)
14 The Media and National Security - OVERVIEW The Role of Media in Promoting National Security Interests, Nicoleta Annemarie Munteanu Journalists as Beurocrats, Perceptions of Social Responsibility, Ford H. Burkhard 2. Media coverage of mass death: not always unwelcome, Joseph Scanlon and Conrad McCullum
15 FINAL EXAM

 
Sustainable Development Goals
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9 P10 P11
C1 5 5 5 3 3
C2 4 5 5 3
C3 5 3
C4 5 5 5 5 5
C5 4 5 4 5
C6 4 5 4 5 5

  Contribution: 1: Very Slight 2:Slight 3:Moderate 4:Significant 5:Very Significant