PMCb1127 Visual Satire in the Media: Analysing Political Cartoons and Memes

Fakulta sociálních studií
jaro 2026
Rozsah
1/1/0. 4 kr. Ukončení: zk.
Vyučující
Khin-Wee Chen, PhD. (přednášející)
Garance
Khin-Wee Chen, PhD.
Katedra mediálních studií a žurnalistiky – Fakulta sociálních studií
Kontaktní osoba: Mgr. Lenka Hrbková, Ph.D.
Dodavatelské pracoviště: Katedra mediálních studií a žurnalistiky – Fakulta sociálních studií
Rozvrh
Čt 12:00–13:40 U35
Omezení zápisu do předmětu
Předmět je nabízen i studentům mimo mateřské obory.
Předmět si smí zapsat nejvýše 25 stud.
Momentální stav registrace a zápisu: zapsáno: 22/25, pouze zareg.: 0/25, pouze zareg. s předností (mateřské obory): 0/25
Mateřské obory/plány
Anotace
Visual Satire in the Media examines political cartoons and internet memes as influential forms of visual political communication. The course introduces students to satire as a structured rhetorical practice rather than merely humour or entertainment. Drawing on classical rhetoric, humour theory, semiotics, media history, and digital culture studies, students learn how satire constructs arguments, mobilises emotion, builds credibility, and circulates across platforms. The course progresses from conceptual foundations to applied analysis and culminates in a research poster presentation and an individual ethics position paper. By combining theoretical grounding with practical analytical exercises, the course equips students to critically evaluate how visual satire shapes political discourse in contemporary media environments.
Výstupy z učení
By the end of the course, students will be able to explain major rhetorical and humour theories relevant to visual satire; distinguish between satire, parody, propaganda, and related genres; apply concepts of ethos, pathos, and logos to visual material; conduct structured semiotic analysis of political cartoons and memes; analyse digital circulation and platform logic in meme culture; evaluate ethical controversies in political humour using principled frameworks; and synthesise theoretical and methodological approaches in a coherent research poster and written position paper. Students will demonstrate the ability to move from description to analytical argumentation.
Klíčová témata
The course covers definitions and boundaries of satire; Aristotle’s rhetorical framework (ethos, pathos, logos); classical and contemporary humour theories (incongruity, superiority, relief); the historical development of political cartoons; remediation from print satire to digital memes; participatory culture and meme virality; platform logic and algorithmic amplification; visual semiotics; emotional framing in satire; credibility and authority in visual argumentation; and ethical tensions in political humour, including harm, stereotyping, and democratic responsibility.
Přístupy, postupy a metody používané ve výuce
Teaching combines short lectures with interactive analytical exercises, structured small-group workshops, and guided discussion. Students work with real political cartoons, memes, and audiovisual materials to apply theoretical frameworks in practice. Workshops scaffold skills progressively, moving from rhetorical identification to semiotic analysis and methodological design. Low-stakes formative activities, including in-class worksheets and collaborative tasks, prepare students for quizzes, the research poster, and the ethics paper. Digital tools such as Google Forms and collaborative documents are used to support peer review, milestone tracking, and reflective learning.
Způsob ověření výstupů z učení a požadavky na ukončení
Learning outcomes are verified through a combination of individual and group assessments. Concept mastery quizzes test understanding and application of foundational theories. An individual ethics position paper assesses students’ ability to construct structured analytical arguments using rhetorical and ethical frameworks. A group research poster evaluates the integration of theory, method, and case analysis. Peer review and peer contribution evaluation ensure accountability and engagement. In-class workshop milestones provide formative evidence of analytical development prior to final assessment.

 Students must meet attendance requirements and actively participate in structured in-class activities. Successful completion of the course requires passing four concept mastery quizzes, submitting an individual ethics position paper, contributing to group project milestones, and participating in a final group poster presentation. All written submissions must follow specified formatting and naming conventions. Completion of assigned peer review and peer contribution evaluation forms is mandatory. The final grade is calculated from weighted components as outlined in the syllabus.
Vyučovací jazyk
Angličtina
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Studijní materiály
Předmět je zařazen také v obdobích jaro 2024, jaro 2025, jaro 2027.
  • Statistika zápisu (nejnovější)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/predmet/fss/jaro2026/PMCb1127