DDRO 25A36 - International law & the politico-media complex

Barring the occasional scorn directed at media moguls, rarely does the public truly appraise the impact of the mass media complex on society's legal foundations. Western conglomerates have garnered such sway that they exert direct and indirect influence over smaller, non-Western nations, through their instrumentalization of International Law. This was best illustrated by the media campaigns leading up to the Invasion of Iraq, following the 9/11 attacks. After an introductory primer to International Law, we will navigate through a series of case studies exemplifying the subversion of legal conflicts by mass media – from Vietnam, to Iraq, Afghanistan, and even Climate Change. Finally, the limits of this approach will be tested by considering the involvement of social media as an emerging Fifth Estate. .

Omar KAMEL

Séminaire

English

Spring 2021-2022

35%: Two short reaction papers over the course of the semester. 20%: Participation and class discussion. 45%: Final Paper, due on the penultimate class.