150055 VU Political Propaganda in Modern East Asia (2026S)

The final grade for the course is a result of the following:
1) Attendance and active participation (25%)
2) Artifact presentation (25%)
3) Essay (50%)

1) Attendance and active participation
Active participation in discussions and class exercises is encouraged and expected from all students, as it directly impacts the grade. Bearing this in mind, regular attendance is a minimum requirement for the successful completion of this course. The following rule applies: the final grade remains unaffected by up to four missed sessions (90 minutes each). However, students will receive a failing grade of “5” if they are absent for five or more sessions. Please consider this requirement carefully when enrolling. To ensure the smooth running of the course, please make sure to be punctual.

2) Artifact presentation
The artifact presentation consists of an individual in-class analysis (max. 10 minutes) of a propaganda artifact. This assignment involves researching and selecting an original artifact, or a set of contrasting artifacts, that directly relates to the theme and setting of the session the student is assigned to. Students must upload the artifact and a contextual brief (min. 500 words) at least three days before the session, and present an analysis compliant with course instructions during their assigned session. The brief serves to detail the most important information regarding the artifact’s provenance and themes, the relevant historical background, and the specific political events or causes it was designed to address. Further details regarding the technical coordination and selection process will be discussed during the mandatory first session of the semester.

3) Essay
Students are required to write an essay (2000–3000 words, excluding the list references) in which they engage with an artifact of their choice in more depth. Central to the essay is the identification and academic discussion of a theme, i.e., a recurring, central narrative, message, or motif. The analytical part of the essay consists of examining how this theme is reproduced in multiple, different propaganda artifacts, and what it means for the construction, maintenance, or repair of state identity and legitimacy. This process will be practiced together in class multiple times for preparation. The essay is due at 23:59 on July 24, 2026. Students who fail this assignment can improve their grade via resubmission by July 31, 2026. Resubmission will result in a downgrade of the assignment by one full grade.

Regarding the use of generative tools (also referred to as "artificial intelligence"):
Students are welcome to use generative tools, such as large language models like ChatGPT, to support their learning and enhance the quality of their work. Acceptable uses include discussing ideas, requesting feedback, and proofreading or revising written text. However, students must not (!) substitute one’s own critical thinking, original analysis, or creative work, for example, by outsourcing the analysis of propaganda artifacts to a tool. Any form of such support must be disclosed in an appendix (or a dedicated section) of every submission. Please briefly state which tool was used and for what purpose, e.g., “I used ChatGPT to check for grammar mistakes,” or “I used XYZ to design the layout of my PowerPoint slides"). Students remain solely responsible for the factual accuracy and scientific quality of all submitted content. The undisclosed or deceptive use of tools for text generation is considered academic misconduct and will be treated accordingly.

In accordance with the statutes of the University of Vienna (§ 13g (study law)) the course instructor reserves the right to ask “oral questions to check the plausibility of whether the student has prepared the written partial achievement independently and without the use of unauthorised aids and whether the student knows the academic sources and methods used and has included them in the written partial achievement.”