110-092 Media Portrayal of Islam

Credit Points

HECS Band

Coordinator

Semester

Subject Description

This subject will study the historical, psychological, cultural, political and economic reasons behind the Western perception and media portrayal of Islam as a menace. The experiences of the Crusades, and the period of colonisation and anti-colonial resistance will be studied from a number of thematic/theoretical angles. Due attention will be given to a theoretical analysis of the semiotics and psychology of the media representations. Students should become familiar with the phenomenon of orientalism and develop a critical analysis of the portrayal of Islam as a threat. This subject aims to assist in building mutual confidence between the Islamic and Western worlds. The benefits of a more tolerant coexistence and cooperation will also be briefly reviewed.