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Media & Politics in Western Europe: Spain
Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Program
Barcelona, Spain
Dates: early Jan 2026 - late Apr 2026
Media & Politics in Western Europe: Spain
OVERVIEW
CEA CAPA Partner Institution: CEA CAPA Barcelona Center
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Primary Subject Area: Media Studies
Other Subject Area: Communication, Journalism, History, Political Science
Instruction in: English
Course Code: MED350
Transcript Source: University of New Haven
Course Details: Level 300
Recommended Semester Credits: 3
Contact Hours: 45
Prerequisites: None
DESCRIPTION
The aim of this course is to analyse the role of the mass media within Western European political structures and to focus on Spain as a case study of a Mediterranean media model. The Spanish case will be placed in a wider European context and will be played off the media-politics matrix in the United States. This analysis will be carried out from a political, sociological and historical perspective in order to draw a complete picture of today's complex reality.
The course will take a look at the media-politics divide in France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain through in-depth studies of the major players across Europe to see if any specifically European traits regarding the relationship between the media and politics can be identified.
In order to reach these goals, an in-depth analysis of the contemporary political situation of these countries is a necessary prerequisite. In order to make it more approachable for non-European students, the course will address issues such as the meaning of the term "Western Europe" and the main differences between European political terminology and US terminology (key terms such as "liberalism," "socialism," "left," "right" etc). Questions to be raised include: what makes Europe work and how does Spain fit into the European political framework? or How do Europeans project themselves through their national presses?
The Spanish case will be examined in greater detail and a hands-on approach to press, radio and TV will be adopted, including on-site lectures in press headquarters, radio stations and TV production facilities. Toward the end of the course, the US corps of foreign correspondents based in Barcelona will be invited to discuss how they portray Spain in their respective media.
The course will take a look at the media-politics divide in France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain through in-depth studies of the major players across Europe to see if any specifically European traits regarding the relationship between the media and politics can be identified.
In order to reach these goals, an in-depth analysis of the contemporary political situation of these countries is a necessary prerequisite. In order to make it more approachable for non-European students, the course will address issues such as the meaning of the term "Western Europe" and the main differences between European political terminology and US terminology (key terms such as "liberalism," "socialism," "left," "right" etc). Questions to be raised include: what makes Europe work and how does Spain fit into the European political framework? or How do Europeans project themselves through their national presses?
The Spanish case will be examined in greater detail and a hands-on approach to press, radio and TV will be adopted, including on-site lectures in press headquarters, radio stations and TV production facilities. Toward the end of the course, the US corps of foreign correspondents based in Barcelona will be invited to discuss how they portray Spain in their respective media.