Intercultural aspects of argumentation, persuasion, manipulation, perception and interpretation in European media discourses. A German language course

Intercultural aspects of argumentation, persuasion, manipulation, perception and interpretation in European media discourses. A German language course

Delivery institution

Faculty of Humanities
Institute for Germanic Studies

Instructor(s):

Dr. Attila Péteri and Dr. Amália Kerekes

Start date

7 October 2025

End date

20 January 2026

Study field

CHARM priority field

Study level

Study load, ECTS

4

Short description

The course “Intercultural aspects of argumentation, persuasion, manipulation, perception, and interpretation in European media discourses” offers an innovative approach to examining the complexities of media discourse in a multilingual and multicultural European context. This German-language course, structured around CHARM-EU’s principles of challenge-driven, accessible, research-based, and mobile education, focuses on developing critical media literacy skills. Students practice critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and digital literacy.
Students will engage with recent and contemporary German media discourses to discern methods of argumentation, persuasion, and manipulation, and their impact on public perception and interpretation. Additionally, participants will compare these German media discourses with the discourses prevalent in their own countries or in their mother languages, fostering a comprehensive understanding of cultural nuances in media communication. The course also emphasizes practical training in argumentative and persuasive text production, equipping students with the skills to create impactful and contextually relevant media content.

The course will be held in German.

Full description

https://germanisztika.elte.hu/content/charm-eu-hybrid-course-at-the-institute-of-germanic-studies-of-the-elte.t.43090

Learning outcomes

1. At the end of the course, the learner will be able to identify key methods of argumentation, persuasion, and manipulation in media texts across different cultural contexts.
2. Furthermore, the learner will be able to compare and contrast German media discourses with those in their own countries or in their mother languages, highlighting cultural similarities and differences.
3. Additionally, at the end of the course, the learner will be able to produce well-structured argumentative and persuasive texts that effectively communicate their stance while considering the target audience’s cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
4. Moreover, at the end of the course, the learner will be able to critically reflect on their own media consumption and production practices, advocating for ethical standards in media discourse.
These outcomes ensure that the course not only enhances students’ analytical skills but also improves their practical abilities in media communication and critical reflection.

Course requirements

Students are expected to actively participate in class, engaging in group work and collaborative activities. In addition to the in-class sessions, students will maintain regular communication with each other outside of the seminar, working together on developing the seminar topics. By the end of the semester, students will submit a portfolio-based seminar paper, which should summarize their own research findings. The paper must also include a detailed reflection on the seminar’s topic, the applied working methods, and the outcomes of the group collaboration.

Places available

20

Course literature (compulsory or recommended):

Carsten Brosda: Diskursiver Journalismus. Journalistisches Handeln zwischen kommunikativer Vernunft und mediensystemischem Zwang. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften 2007.
Beatrice Dernbach, Alexander Godulla, Annika Sehl (Eds.): Komplexität im Journalismus. Wiesbaden: Springer 2019
Manfred Kienpointner: Alltagslogik. Struktur und Funktion von Argumentationsmustern. Sttuttgart – Bad Cannstadt: frommann-holzboog 1992.
Josef Klein: Politik und Rhetorik. Eine Einführung. Wiesbaden: Springer 2019.
Michael Meyen, Maria Löblich, Senta Pfaff-Rüdiger, Claudia Riesmeyer: Qualitative Forschung in der Kommunikationswissenschaft. Eine praxisorientierte Einführung. 2., aktualisierte und erweiterte Auflage. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften 2019.
Lisa Schwaiger: Gegen die Öffentlichkeit. Alternative Nachrichtenmedien im deutschsprachigen Raum. Bielefeld: transcript 2022.
Thomas Wiedemann, Christine Lohmeier (Eds.): Diskursanalyse für die Kommunikationswissenschaft. Theorie, Vorgehen, Erweiterungen. Wiesbaden: Springer 2019.

Planned educational activities and teaching methods:

Throughout the course, students will be actively involved in discussions and group work, contributing to collaborative efforts both during and outside of seminar sessions. They will be expected to engage with their peers regularly, working together to explore and develop the seminar topics in depth.
To facilitate group work, dedicated channels will be set up for each group in MS Teams, where students can communicate via text or video chat and share files. Additionally, on the Canvas Learning Management platform, students will have access to supporting materials such as video lectures, short academic texts, sample documents, and quiz exercises to assist them throughout the course.
At the end of the semester, students will submit a portfolio that not only presents their individual research findings but also provides a comprehensive reflection on the seminar’s subject matter, the collaborative process, and the methodologies used during the course.

Course code

BMI-NEMD-604

Language

Assessment method

Group work, joint oral reports on the results of group work

Final certification

Transcript of records

25 January 2026

Modality

Learning management System in use

MS Teams, Canvas

Contact hours per week for the student:

2

Specific regular weekly teaching day/time

Tuesday, 4pm – 5.30pm

Time zone