This course introduces several theories on the Mass Media. The media theoreticians W. Benjamin, M. McLuhan, and N. Chomsky are introduced. The debate on the socio-political role of TV between H.-M. Enzensberger and his 'postmodernist' critic J. Baudrillard will be discussed. The second half of the course will focus on N. Luhmann’s description of the 'Reality of the Mass Media'.

CILO-1: Capability of critically discussing and evaluating ethical, socio-political, and existential aspects of the mass media orally and in writing. CILO-2: Understanding various theories of the mass media. CILO-3: Capability of a reflected engagement with the mass media and the challenges they provide.